While the Widow Is Away

Adam Reid's film is about as perfect and heartfelt a short film as it is possible to make. It's like beautifully crafted music to the eyes and heart. I would find it astounding if it didn't clean up at the festivals it goes to, and would be surprised if it isn't nominated for an Academy Award (TM). While the Widow is Away proves that a short film is not in a lesser category than a feature film, but that the form is less important than the experience of its creation. While at the Seattle International Film Festival with my own short film I met Adam, but only was able to see his short upon getting back home. It was then that I realized it was the best film that was at the festival--in total. It's so good I don't even feel envious that my short film isn't as good: it's on another level. SEE IT.

The only reason to give this short film a rating less than a ten is to encourage the filmmaker to make more movies. If he could do this much on his own, what trouble the film world will be in when Doctor Reid is allowed use of an entire film crew and budget!

The simplicity & sparseness of the film's dialogue allows the complexity and depth of the characters' emotional lives to resound in the viewer's heart. The design, cinematography, writing, and performances are breathtaking, all the while serving the story - even the apartment itself is a character in the film. When the last chord of this film plays, the viewer is left to contemplate the ideas of change, personal ghosts, loneliness, and whether or not there really are such things as soul-mates. If you see one short film this year...