Plurality

This is finally one of those us versus the evil overlords of the government that gives hope to us. The story involves two attractive young blonde women who have been seen as a danger to society. They are run down by the authorities, but there is a fly in the ointment which will make it interesting for the smug jerks that have been given power. Very nice.

It's clever, naming an all-seeing, all-knowing security apparatus after Jeremy Bentham. It's similarly cheeky to name an agent, beholden to that apparatus, Foucault.

That's about the most clever that 'Plurality' gets.

From start to finish these 13 minutes have the feel of an over-produced, high-end commercial for, I don't know, credit cards, or LED TVs. You know the kind: The ones of length, action-filled dynamic style, and apparent budget that make it appear to be a film trailer, when ultimately it's just an advertisement. That notion is boosted by the voiceover from Jeffrey Nissani, in his role as Inspector Foucault, whose timbre and diction lends credence to an immediate impression that 'Plurality' is actually a commercial for a product. It's boosted by shots from the camera that suggest the short is actually an advertisement for a security product that doesn't exist. I'm unsure if the performance of the actors here, ever furthering that ham-fisted impression, is more a result of their acting or Dennis Liu's direction. I'm left to wonder, though, where I can find the credits for certain lofty advertising spots, and if I'll see some familiar names among them.

That's not to say that this is necessarily bad. It takes in a slightly different direction the ubiquitous sci-fi trope of the abolition of privacy, and therefore freedom, in the name of security. It uncomfortably centers the antagonists, and in the end gives us more questions than answers. Keep the audience guessing - I like it. I also like Samantha Strelitz, appearing here in the part of Alana Winston, and injecting more personality into her role than the rest of the cast combined.

'Plurality' is entertaining enough. But the flaws of its production weigh it down heavily, and it only just manages to remain engaging enough for us to watch to the end.

Worth 13 minutes of your time? You could do worse.

It´s cool how this short seems more expensive that it really is. The productions levels are pretty cool for a 15min film. The whole idea and filming style seems to be a plot about a Black mirror episode. It´s online on youtube and only 15min long. You can´t loose anything by watching it.

Plurality is a very well done short, film. It presents an important message about the dangers of sacrificing freedom for security. This is a warning for all of us and it shows just how close we are to the point of no return, right here, right now, today.

The central idea is not new, but sadly, no one seems to be paying attention and I have not seen much, if anything, in film that hits the nail right on the head in this manner. The closest things out there exaggerate with hypothetical, fanciful future technology which makes the clear and present danger we are facing less real. Plurality, is different. Although the film does appear to include a far-fetched technology which is revealed near the end, it is only used as a plot device for the characters to deliver the message about the very real danger of what is taking place right now, all around us, with our current technology.

Plurality does not have great acting or dialog. Its futuristic "floating computer screen" special effects are well done but seem a bit overused - likely to show some flash within the short running time. This is not a polished work by any means, and it is not some "brilliant masterpiece," but for its budget and scope, it succeeds as an entertaining and thought provoking teaser film. By the end of this short, you will want to see more.

It would be nice to see this made into a fully developed feature film, but please do not let it near Hollywood - they would turn it into some kind of anti-corporate bastardization of what it is intended to be.

We need more people making films that encourage people to step back and think about the horrifying future we seem all too eager to embrace at the expense of our freedom. Freedom comes with a price consisting of responsibility, insecurity, inconvenience and even hardship and bloodshed. Some of us understand that and value freedom all the more for it. Unfortunately, most do not.