The Cycle

The Cycle (2010)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Roy Clovis wrote and directed this very good short taking a look at a Brooklyn neighborhood where a little girl has her bike stolen and this here sets off some events that could turn violent. I went into this film having never heard of it and came away very impressed with both the writing and direction by Clovis. Seeing a short like this certainly makes one hope that this can either be turned into a feature or perhaps just seeing Clovis doing bigger projects. I think what I enjoyed most about the screenplay is that it perfectly captures the spirits of a more middle class people and those below the poverty line. There's a very dramatic scene where the girl's mother chases the thief and winds up in the poor neighborhood where she's not welcomed. This sequence here was beautifully directed and really contained some nice tension. The ending comes out in a way you'd expect but the closing line between the two sides really says a lot. The performances are also extremely good and this short also contains some impressive cinematography. This here is certainly one of the better shorts I've seen in recent years and is highly recommended.

Attended a screening during the UrbanWorld Film Festival.

Impressed by the character development. Depth of dialogue in just 18 minutes is done with ease. There was a natural progression to each scene and nothing seemed out of place, no 'filler'.

The quality of visual was so impressive.

A thought provoking piece on issues surrounding gentrification. Allows the viewer to dislike the acts of the thief while feeling some sympathy.

Moments of comic relief are well placed and the involvement all different community members really brings the story to life.

Looking forward to more works by this promising Writer/Director.