Shoeshine

A shoeshiner (Jerry Stiller) aboard the Staten Island ferry discovers a city-type (Ben Stiller) snoozing and in need of his shoes polishing. Whilst he is buffing the leather, the two strike up a conversation that starts off more generically but then focuses more on what three things might make a man a success. Hard work, a good suit and... When it comes to settling the tab, well there is a little twist for us. It's a fun look at the amateur philosophising that many of us can associate from a barber, a cabbie or a barman that mixes generalisations with profundities in an engaging fashion whilst, in this case, reminding us all about acorns and humble beginnings. I wonder how many of us watching had dads who put the lampshade on their heads?

This Oscar nominated student short film was a nice and humored gathering between comic actors/father and son Jerry and Ben Stiller. In "Shoeshine", Jerry Stiller plays a shoeshine working on a ferry to New York and without potential customers, he approaches a young man (Ben Stiller) who accepts to have a shine in his shoes. They both chat about their life philosophies, their families and share some advices.

You'd probably seen this kind of film before and probably know who are these two - specially if you read the page on this site detailing the characters. But the Stillers are so good in those friendly roles, and their dialogues exchange (Shakespeare as a shoeshine man), that if you use your imagination you can picture two hard working unknowns sharing a special moment and learning about life and its secrets to success.

And it's a pleasure to see the late Jerry Stiller moving out from the typical loud, grumpy characters he used to play in many sitcoms.

Not sure if I agree with the tips given by the old man about the three things a man needs to succeed - unless if there's a metaphorical use to it rather than the literal description. But I was charmed alright by this lovely partnership. Tom Abrams made a special film debut here that needs some rediscover.

9/10.