Our Time Is Up

This is a jewel of a short film, featuring always-brilliant Kevin Pollack. He plays a self-important psychiatrist who's found professional nirvana with a flock of dutiful patients suffering from varying psychoses, none of which he makes must of an effort to address. We meet each of his patients in a cleverly created montage, which features the good doctor's tricks to keep them coming back for more. His world is then rocked when he receives a phone call informing him he has just six weeks to live. It's amazing what a little vulnerability--and brutal honesty--can do to change people's lives. This is a first-rate short film, nominated for an Academy Award. The supporting cast shines and makes perfect use of every second on camera. You'll be wishing for more when "Our Time Is Up".

Our Time Is Up is a rapid fire dead pan comedy that eventually runs out of bullets in its brief running time. Successful, self important psychologist Dr. Stern leads an orderly life dispassionately dispensing paint by the numbers observations to clients of varying hang-ups. When health issues arise Stern does a complete one-eighty with his practice and methodology.

By means of syntax Time starts sharp and remains so with seamless dialog transitions between client sessions that are amusingly revealing in character development. The clients never get beyond the clichés they wear though and by second and third sessions are out of fashion as this film stumbles to its feel good ending, the irony all but beaten out of it.

Visually appealing with a lean and tight story structure. It's a contemporary tale that engages with modern music and dialogue for our day. The film is subtle and charming with character portrayals that will leave you smiling. Kevin Pollack is superb as a psychiatrist who begins the movie cold to the reality of his patients incessant complaints and lack of progress. Upon news from his own personal doctor, Pollack's character becomes a warm, engaging and challenging psychiatrist who is a catalyst for several patient's personal improvement. For such a short film there is a surprisingly rewarding depth to each character's personal arc. Doctor Stern (Pollack) and each of his patients remind us that life is too short to have any regrets once "Our Time Is Up..."

This film is very entertaining and manages to have a heart, as well. It's a comedy that has deeper meaning as well. It stars Kevin Pollak as a psychologist who finds a new way to deal with his patients after he receives some unexpected news. Our Time is Up is laugh-out-loud funny -- I saw it in a film festival, and there were a lot of laughs from the audience. Besides Mr. Pollak, the performances (from the actors playing the psychologist's patients and gardener) are great -- don't miss Hurley from Lost! He is a hoot. I have seen a LOT of short films in festivals, some of which can be great and some of which really aren't. This rises above the rest in terms of picture quality, performances, writing, et cetera. Definitely check it out if you have a chance.

Hands down one of the best shorts of the year! Through this film, Pearlstein, as a young director, exhibits an ability to create and direct superior work, at a high level, with an ensemble cast. The impressive writing and direction engage the audience from the beginning and leave you wanting more...in the form of a feature film.

With limited resources and financing, Pearlstein has put together a real winner and this should serve as a springboard to a lucrative career. As an avid moviegoer, I look forward to his next project and hope the Academy and the rest of the movie-loving public feel the same way.

Good luck on March 5th!