Susie in the Afterlife

Susie In the Afterlife is a funny short film following the journey of Susie waiting in purgatory. Kimberly DiPersia and Bran Panella play each other off very well in this comedic satire - you could say. The filmmaker used time and setting within 4 walls very well; however, some may perceive the pacing to be slow. Perhaps, the filmmaker could have used additional elements to interact with Susie during the passage of time. In addition, the music adds to Susie's desperation of waiting. The filmmaker truly puts the viewer along with Susie within the 4 walls. What happens to Susie? Overall, are we really in charge of our own spirit?

This video made me think of the movie "Defending Your Life," which portrays heaven as a utopia paradise where people wear white angel gowns, live in a beautiful resort, and eat whatever they like without gaining any weight, which is what the protagonist, Daniel experiences after being in a fatal car accident. Another important highlight of the movie involves Daniel meeting his true love, Julia, who also died at a young age, in heaven. While "Defending Your Life" and "Susie in the Afterlife" both depict what a person experiences after they die as people reflect on significant turning points from their past, I admit that I prefer the movie "Defending Your Life" because it conveys a much more positive message of hope and inspiration. The video "Susie in the Afterlife" seems dim and depressing with the same character not getting anywhere after being in the same exact spot for 80 years. The scene of the film makes it look as though Susie was trapped in some kind of jail cell with no outlet. Everybody, whether they are dead or alive, should seek a form of escapism that they can resort to as a solace as nobody deserves to be trapped in the same room for 80 years with nowhere to go. Lastly, it is quite interesting how Susie's hair, face, body, and clothes do not change at all in 80 years. It's as if this woman were frozen in time like Austin Powers was in the movie.

Susie in the Afterlife is funny, the dialogue is cleverly written and natural, there is a joke revolving around a laugh track that is both funny and darkly ironic once you think about it, the storyline over all is good. Director Gabe Rodriguez did a great job of directing with his limited set, and actors have great comedic timing, it's a short that's well worth your time. If do have however one little nitpick and I bring it up only because IMDb requires ten lines for this to be submitted, it's that due to the nature of the story, it taking place in one room and nearly two centuries, the pacing slows down at some points as we see Susie try to pass the time in the waiting room of the after life, it's not so much a problem as it is a limitation the director had to work around and overall did a good job at doing so however it does take a few minutes for the film to pick up but when it does the rest is a breeze. Overall not a must see but it is well worth your time.