Done In

This is possibly the best way to spend 8 minutes ever. The story unfolds slowly, almost dreamily as we see a lonely man recalling his life as he contemplates it's end. Guy Henry's voice-over is silky, slightly husky and lends exactly the right tone to the story. Adam Stephen Kelly's direction is spot on as he shows us the life being left behind, never dwelling too much in one place, but concentrating our attention where it needs to be. The shots of the house are gorgeously done, the fire crackling in the grate lending a cosy warm touch to the proceedings. The gentle mood that we have been lulled into is then abruptly shattered by the film's denouement but of this I shall say no more! It's hard to believe that this is Adam's first film. Any seasoned director would be proud of this little gem and I, for one, cannot wait to see more of Adam's work.

Eight minutes isn't a lot of time and one would be forgiven for not expecting very much from an eight minute film. How can you develop a character and take them on a journey that engages and enthrals an audience in just eight minutes? But that's the beauty of short films isn't it? Or rather, that's the beauty of a good short film.

Adam Kelly, as writer and director, has gone beyond merely being 'good' however and Done In raises the bar for all short films with its slick production and direction.

The mood is set from the beginning. We meet Harry (Guy Henry); a man who's anguish and loneliness is palpable. Shots of the clock, ornaments and old photos remind us of the passage of time and we realise that Harry is narrating a suicide note.

Kelly succeeds in capturing the viewer so completely that when he reveals the sting in this films tail it's shocking, and even after a second viewing it still caused me to jolt. It's tempting to rave about the ending but that would be to spoil it, so all I will say is that if you get any opportunity to see this film then jump at it, because you won't be disappointed.

Of all the types of films there are, short films are among my favorites. After all, they often give you a chance to see into the future—to see super-talented folks before they become famous. Well, a good example would be Adam Stephen Kelly's recent short, "Done In". It's a terrific short—and it crams a wonderful story into only 8 minutes. Plus, for a nut like me that loves posting reviews on IMDb (I'm closing in on #16000), it helps me reach that goal even faster!

The film is unusual because it features Guy Henry and you only see another actor at the very end. Henry's character narrates the film—so there is no actual dialog. Despite these seeming hindrances, the film is top-notch—with excellent production values and a deliciously dark twist at the end.

The film consists of a man (Henry) writing a lengthy suicide note. In it, he bids goodbye to the world and then briefly talks about his regrets—such as his relationship with his estranged son. When it is all over, the surprise occurs---and I won't say more, as it would completely spoil this dark and twisted film.

The bottom line is that the film was very professionally made and entertained me from start to finish. The acting, camera-work and music were all very effective. And, because it is so very well made, I marveled that Adam Stephen Kelly has never directed a film up until Done In…never. His resume is rather short—with five production credits for relatively obscure films. However, doing films like Done In demonstrates that he has exceptional talent and instincts and I expect to see more excellent work from Kelly.

By the way, the film is, fittingly, a product of Dark Art Films!

The only reason for me giving this short 8 out of 10 is that I have yet to see the whole short. For now, I have only seen a brief cut, which, if it i representative of the whole film, should announce an extremely good film. The cinematography, the acting, the way it is all put together, is masterful, and the piano adds the little touch which allows us to grasp what the character might be feeling. The style is simple, yet elegant and, I repeat it, touching. I found Guy Henry's voice adapted perfectly to the scene and was immaculately complimented by the music and actual picture. I am very much looking forward to seeing the whole short.