When watching short films it is tempting to maybe be "easier" on them because they aren't massive films with endless budget and stars, so sometimes being close is a case of close enough. Of course often I am taken by surprise by how good some of them can be and there is no way to say they are "just" a short film. This is the case with Magnesium, a film that builds itself around its central character, stays incredibly close to her throughout the film and warrants that by having a very strong performance at its core.
The plot is that Isabel is a promising young gymnast who is trying out for the European championships. At the same time she is trying to get an abortion but, as per Dutch law, has to wait the 5 day cooling period. While experiencing the natural process of pregnancy, Isabel continues to train and is determined to make it work. This determination is one of the main things that Tan brings to the role, but she does it in a pent- up fashion which fits with the pace and tenseness of the film as a whole. While other things are going on, we are sure we are focused on Isabel as a person and the camera leaves us in no doubt because it really never goes far from her – even as she practices her routines the camera manages to stay within inches of her. I liked this closeness and visually it really worked because we either see the strain on Isabel's tight face or we contrast that with the movement of her long hair as she strides with a very tense and determined walk.
In addition to this the film is edited like it is in a rush to get somewhere, but in a good way. It has very good pace and really does a lot with the 20 minutes running time and in particular this approach fits with the filming style and the feelings of the main character, that time is tight, pressure is on and she just needs to pull it all close and keep it together – and keeping the viewer just as close is part of that to the film. Tan is excellent. OK she doesn't have a big showy moment but her tension is convincing and the smaller cracks are well shown – with the camera and film so close to her, she had to be good and she really is. Sam de Jong's direction and the general cinematography is great and the film really has a constant tense feeling that gripped me and drew me into.
From the subject matter this could easily have been a soapy melodrama but in these hands it is taut, tense and compelling, drawing the viewer close to Isabel and letting us feel the pressure and determination as it all starts to get on top of her. It is a short film with a short part of a story, but it is really well done and absolutely worth seeing.
