The Break-In

I originally caught this at the LA Shorts Film Fest last year, and for whatever reason it's stuck with me ever since.

Breathlessly edited, heart-pounding score, eye-melting black and white photography, and a very memorable twist ending that turns the heist genre on its head.

Definitely a standout from that year.

Has anyone else seen this?

Looking forward to whatever else Mr. Berry has in store for us... I also recommend "See You Later," which is stylistically a changeup but shows just as much promise.

This is a great little film with a twist that I didn't see coming. The way it was set up was really clever: you think it's a robbery but it turns out to be something completely different and unexpected.

The acting is really good, as is the photography - it looks really pretty. I thought Robin Hines - who plays the lead - was excellent. Her performance was very real and I could instantly identify with her feelings. Who hasn't felt that conflict of emotion when ending a relationship? The look on her face in the very last scene says it all.

This is a really, really strong film and I can't wait to see what the filmmakers do next.

The Break In is a perfect example of cinematic simplicity, what can be done with one location, limited actors and great cutting. The film manages to drawl the emotions of the audience with out the use of dialogue and strong direction, everything from the angles use to the performance from the actors; watch out for the moment where the protagonist gets caught in the bedroom. James Berry was well aware that pictures speak much louder than words and staged his film accordingly; words here would be superfluous. Berry also has a precise understanding of pacing and the importance of each shot and how they play in succession with one another and build tension. So many short films can try to trick the audience, but here I feel that it's genuine and not some attempt to showoff. The payoff at the end when we learn the protagonist is no thief at all but she's merely taking back her things after a break up; it's a well-played moment that leads to a tender confrontation with her ex-boyfriend. All and all, The Break In is a well made short that makes me hungry to see the other films of Berry.