Chopsticks

In this delightful short film we meet a hero, who, in his quest for some depth and knowledge of music discovers not himself but the shallowness of perfection. The script is clever, the direction cleverer still and despite its self-consciousness the film making seems effortless like the melody in a good tune. Stromberg is at once pompous and pathetic, while Jeremy in his desperate struggle to impress his tutor becomes increasingly blind to his own inadequacy and the absurd demands placed upon him. Aside from it's comedy and the way the narrative places the audience in a haughty position it still has a heart and the closing sequence still brings a tear to my eye.

Having seen so many shoddy shorts, it's fantastic to find one that is so well crafted. The direction, acting, script and special effects are all exceptional. The film is full of wit and has a warmth that make it a rare find. Although an aged Ron Moody looks barely recognizable from his "Oliver" days, he is still a class act and delivers a performance that's full of nuance and skill. Matthew Pigeon does such a fine job opposite him at playing "naive" that you can't help wonder where he was when you needed to sell that old second hand car! If you want something that doesn't rely on zany or slapstick humor for it's laughs and feel like something refreshingly more subtle, then I would suggest you take a look at this. It's a charming classic well worth a watch....