Listening

Kenneth Branagh's short film "Listening" is a 23-minute treat for the senses. Sound and imagery unite to tell the story of a man and woman who find one another while searching for their own inner peace at a spiritual retreat. There is one house rule: no one is to speak while at this retreat. This explains why there is limited dialogue throughout the film. However, the story evolves without speech, which emphasizes the sounds of nature, the emotive musical score and the sweet sound of silence. These elements, combined with great acting, masterful cinematography, and a touch of Branagh's genius yield a unique story with a poignant ending.

Listening is a poignant, thoughtful and very beautiful little film, superbly acted by Paul McGann and Frances Barber, and gracefully directed by Kenneth Branagh. Branagh demonstrates how emotions are intensified and quickened in the absence of words, in a story about a man and woman who meet during a silent retreat. It's an original look at how words limit us, but also at missed opportunities for love and communication, with or without them. The photography is gorgeous, and the music very effective at heightening emotion.