Spider

While this film may only be 9 minutes long, believe me when I say that in this tiny window of a running time, Nash Edgerton packs in a couple of narrative punches that are so shocking, startling, bizarre and downright macabre, that they must be seen to be believed. I would really, really, really, ridiculously like to tell you what those narrative punches are, but the less you know going into "Spider," the better. (The surprise is half of the desired effect.) What I will say in this review is pretty much what every other reviewer has and will say about this, which is basically just giving you a basic outline of what "Spider" is about...at least, to start with. (Like I said: the surprise is definitive.) The film begins in a car, and with us meeting the main characters of the film: a couple known as Jack and Jill. (This should give you an indication of how this is sort of a twisted play on the original nursery rhyme.) Jack has done something to Jill before the film's begun that has made her rather peeved with him. In a matter of a couple of lines of dialogue, we learn that Jack is rather the practical joker - the kind of prankster that goes way too far in his attempts to have a laugh. Jill, it would seem, has had enough. The strained couple are in the middle of driving to - and then arrive at - a petrol station for gas. As Jill leaves Jack to sit in the car to fill up her car, leaving him to ponder how he can make her smile for him again, Jack gets out of the car and enters the kiosk. It is here that Jack buys several items with which he hopes he can reconciliate with Jill. But little does he know the dramatic effect that one of these items in particular will soon have on both him and Jill... But I can tell you no more after that. By looking on this IMDb page for "Spider," you may be able to glean some clues as to what happens by the film's end. (The tagline alone is more important than how it might first appear...) Other than that, though, you should go into this with as little information as possible. For example, I came across this film very late last night on Channel 4, alongside another short film called "Incident By A Bank" (also recommended). I had no idea what it was about, nor knew anything about it beforehand, but this similar treatment of the short films shown late at night on Channel 4 lead me to another great short film just days before this one, called "One Minute Past Midnight" (also very highly recommended), so I gave "Spider" a shot, and it was worth it. So, if you find yourself able to watch this through whatever means you've found to be able to watch it, do so immediately...because your jaw will hit the floor and you will be positively gobsmacked...TWICE.

I came across the film 'Spider' last week accidentally while I was surfing on http://www.vice.com and I can only recommend it to anybody out there. It's clever and funny. Okay, I wouldn't classify it as a comedy, rather a drama, but definitely nobody would deny that there are some components of black humour in it - which I must confess I generally don't really like in movies (at least in those with the normal length) - but in short-films, the situation is completely different. Regarding the fact that short-films rarely last longer than 15 minutes (this one even is <10min) it is no easy task for the producers to create a plot lines that stick in people's minds even when the movie itself has long ended -- I guess, that's why many short-film makers decide to set their focus more on things like methaphorical/artistical language or sounds than on captivating stories.'Spider', in contrary, has taken this task & successfully coped with it. The story focuses on a (remarkable authentic;) young couple, going through a (merely small) relationship crisis during a car ride. When the boy finally decides to implement his (stupid?) plans to reconcile with his spouse, things inevitably start to take its course.... Including some (black-, but nevertheless) humorous scenes, the movie also offers an intelligence plot twist (which I think is obligatory for a good movie) & two young and talented actors - but the best is still the stunning last scene, which forces you to still gaze at your screen in shocking amazement even though the movie's already over and the closing credits are rushing (which are, besides, accompanied by a very nice soundtrack). Altogether, 'Spider' is definitely worth watching. You think, you see the climax already coming from far away? -->Maybe you got to learn, that every now and then, destiny might be more than a nasty bitch:)

"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye." -Mum

Spider, the viral short film that laid the foundations of the Jack trilogy, based on the experiences of Nash Edgerton, who plays Jack and co-writes all 3 installments with his colleague and fellow countryman David Michôd, responsible for three other gems such as Animal Kingdom, The Rover and The King.

Spider is characterized by a very naturalistic and fluid mise-en-scene, filmed by the now highly sought-after Greig Fraser. In Spider we follow the couple Jill and Jack as they drive around Sydney in a classic lemon Peugeot. Jill is played by fellow director Mirrah Foulkes, who we discovered in the aforementioned Animal Kingdom. In Spider, the protagonist couple is in the throes of an argument, where Jill's silences increase the tension. Jack awkwardly tries to patch things up with his girlfriend. We don't know the exact reason for the discord, but it doesn't seem to be the first time Jack screws up and the only thing he can think of to say is that it was a joke. Something that Jill will throw in his face, for taking things too far. Alluding to Jack's mother's foreboding advice at the beginning: "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye". This is where Jack's inner conflict comes to the fore, where his romantic side clashes diametrically with his compulsive prankster and catalyst, increasing the suspense of the short.

The tone of the short film is absurd, tragic and humorous at the same time, without being as raunchy as Jackass. Curiously, one can identify with it, there is a very real couple fight, universal fears such as spiders and needles, which achieve a communion with the audience and not only remains in the final anecdote. The consequences of Spider's Karma, is an idea that Nash Edgerton would go on to explore in 2008's "The Square", his feature debut, written and co-starring his brother Joel.

*A more detailed review can be found on the youtube channel Kristonkino.

This is an exceptional piece of film. Brilliantly crafted by Nash Edgerton, I think there is little doubt he is about to make a huge impact on the Australian film industry. This 9 minutes is high impact film making with stunning visuals, slick editing, moody cinematography, amazing production value and kick ass directing. Beyond his obvious skills behind the camera and in the editing suite, Nash plays the lead character with great skill and timing. A measured performance before the mayhem sets in. What else can one say when superlatives do not do this offering justice. I eagerly look forward to Nash's debut feature film currently in production.

Like most movie-goers, I've seen Joel Edgerton in many movies but not so with Nash Edgerton, his brother. So, it's refreshing to see Nash again, even in such a short story.

And what a story! Young man and young woman (Jack and Jill - what a giggle), having had a tiff of some sort, are driving around Sydney suburbs. Jack's trying to make amends; Jill's ignoring him. He turns on the music; she kills it. She's driving, he's trying to regain her interest - and perhaps trust - again. The traffic is quick and thick. She's keeping her eyes on the road. Small talk from him gets nowhere....

Got the picture?

Suddenly, Jill rolls the car into a gas station. She's out quickly and starts pumping. Jack gets out, enters the nearby shop, up to the counter and starts picking out goodies for his girl, the usual stuff: flowers, card, chocolate - and one item you don't quite get a good look at, except it's black.

Jack's back in the car first. He places flowers all over the seat and dashboard, hangs up the card on the rear-view, places some yummy chocs near the steering wheel, and puts something up behind the sun-visor. Jill gets in, throws flowers out the window, gets the car going, joins the traffic. She ignores him and the chocolates; and drives. He puts another chocolate on the dashboard. And another. She snatches one up. He holds one in his fingers, extends it. Now, a ghost of a smile which turns to a grin, as she tries to get it from his fingers. She laughs aloud; he joins in.

And then ... Jill somehow brushes against the sun-visor, the black thing - we see a large rubber fake spider - falls onto her lap, she screams, barely misses a head-on collision with another car, screeches to a stop, scrambles out as Jack's desperately trying to soothe her fears, she backs away and....

Then Jack learns the price we all can pay when self-inflicted, unintended consequences fall into place. The dramatic irony is exquisite and concurrently comedic. I'm sure, were he alive today, Honoré de Balzac would approve. Regardless of what you think, I recommend you see this little beauty to find out what really happens.

I never accord a ten out of ten for anything, although I was tempted; but this is definitely nine. And I recommend it for all (except young kiddies, of course).

5th October, 2018