User reviews

OK, full disclosure: I know the writer/director Richard Prendergast from our old days making snowboard magazines and videos. So when he gave me a sneak preview to what he'd been up to since we last spoke a couple of years ago, I watched with interest mixed with dread - what if it sucked, and I had to pretend I'd enjoyed it? Faking it is not my style.

Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. Prendi's come a long, long way since we last worked together, and this elegantly crafted short is a gem. I don't want to give away too much, but Sylvia is clever, touching and comes with a devastatingly effective twist in the tail. But the true payoff was finding out this tale is based on a true story. I'll leave it at that...

Greetings again from the darkness. Sure, we like to "name" our cars. And yes, we have memories of our first car - some fond, some a bit less so. But deep emotional attachments to a car are somewhat rare. After all, it's just hunks of metal, rubber, and plastic all assembled into a form of transportation ... a vehicle to get us from one place to the next, and hopefully back home again.

We join in what looks to be a typical family road trip. Mother, grandmother and two young girls are buckled in as the miles roll on. Mom scolds the kids for making a mess, and the grandmother eases tension by passing out candy. A roadside stop for ice cream is always a popular idea. What we learn is that the mother is having financial difficulties and the purpose of the trip is to sell the car she has named "Sylvia", after the classic song from Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show.

Richard Prendergast's first film is 'based on a true story', and it is absolutely brilliant in its presentation - both visually and emotionally. Jolie Lennon, known best for her stunt work, is terrific as Mandy, the mom who must sell the car. It's clear that she is carrying a weight on the trip, and the stunning third act brings it all into focus. This is an extraordinary short film, and it's one I would have gladly paid 40 cents more for the next 3 minutes.

I literally had to duck down in my seat during the screening because I was crying so hard. It's touching. One of the most emotionally and visually evocative films I have ever seen. I'm blessed to have been able to attend with friends who were only mildly embarassed by my caterwalling.

Bring tissues and enjoy the ride.

Without giving away too much, this film tells a beautiful story about love, loss and the power of community. From flawless performances, to the beautiful crafting of the production itself - this is a film that leaves takes you on a powerful journey, makes you cry and leaves you with a sense of hope. It's an impressive tale that has wowed every audience I've seen it screened at.

This is one of the best short films out there. It tells a story of love, loss and tragedy in the most poetic of ways. The acting from lead Jolie Lennon is profound, quiet and utterly brilliant where the cinematography and visuals lend itself to the story in ways some short films tend to miss.

This short does not shove the emotion of the tale down your throat, rather it lets the story unfold in a stunning and ultimately phenomenal way.

A delicate and emotionally touching piece. A beautiful debut which hopefully spawns some well deserved careers.

Sylvia was shown in Attleboro, MA. I viewed it in the company of friends.

The lessons are legion, but I carry with me one major take-away: The love we are fortunate enough to experience in this brief life is entirely durable as long as we breath -- and this can be both a blessing and a haunting, often simultaneously.

The unfolding is startling; the story is told going forward but later one is forced to look back over all that preceded the ending for full understanding. Masterful.

The material could have been handled in a sugary manner. It was anything but saccharine.The expertise of all involved meant I was taken completely by surprise at the conclusion and was left completely gobsmacked emotionally.

I immediately thought, as a avid film viewer, this one is Oscar-worthy.

Sylvia packs a punch. The acting was incredible, the storyline is so powerful it takes you on a complete emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I cried and then I cried some more. The cinematograpraphy and grade are beautiful. A must watch!

Sylvia is one of those short films that sticks with you long after watching. The excellent production value and writing delivers a brilliantly subtle interpolation into the journey that packs an emotional punch!

I won't give anything else away other than that this film is a sheer delight. A great achievement for both cast and crew.

This is an exquisitely beautiful piece and exemplifies the artform of short film.

I was lucky enough to attend a screening at BAFTA recently and was hugely impressed.

The cinematography is both all encompassing of the landscape, both rural and urban, yet never fails to pick up the smaller details; crumbs on the car seat, smudges on the window, furrows of the brow. The script and story is both moving and funny, at times laughing out loud, at other times... let's just say there wasn't a dry eye in the house. And the acting delivered those moments with all the nuance the medium offers the performer. Even the soundtrack walked a careful balance between contemporary music (that was ACTUALLY well used and did not distract from the scene) and original scoring. When you have all those ingredients together, what you're looking at is a great director with a great team behind them.

Well done all involved. Look forward to seeing what all the talents do next.

I hope, a significant film for a large public. Because it is more than adaptation of a moving real case . It is remind of basic, fundamental truths , defining each of us. A great film, admirable crafted, powerful in each detail , profound useful exploration of connections, family, tough decisions and a letter giving fair answer to an owner giving new start to the life of Sylvia.