Tomorrow's Bacon

The Old Twilight Zone used an anthology format to tell sf/horror/fantasy tales. Rod Serling's dialogue often overburdened into shrill moralizing, but when he wrote well - which was more often than not - his stories always ended on thoughtful O. Henry-esque twists. The short episodes ended in places of thoughtful uncertainty where one's original assumptions were not always what they seemed. The writer/director of "Tomorrow's Bacon" seems to understand and appreciate this appraoch to storytelling very well. The story in "Tomorrow's Bacon" is a good, old fashioned film noir done in the style and with the atmosphere of the classic black and white low budget TV series like 'Twilight Zone' and 'Night Gallery'. Those originals can't be bettered by putting flashy production values to them. They can't be bettered by putting a fresh face on them. Their appeal lies in their basic production, 50's background music, style and starkness, which "Tomorrow's Bacon" does beautifully. Even the performances are appropriately stagey in some scenes. The neat twist "reveal" at the end is in the best tradition of those old shows.

The title is obviously inspired by the T.S. Elliot poem of the same name that goes: "Pig in a poke, you better start shakin'. Today's pig is tomorrow's bacon".........Get it?? .

Tomorrow's Bacon is good little mystery/thriller that you could possibly call in the same vein as a really strong 'Twilight Zone' or 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode. The four characters (two couples) are surprisingly well drawn considering the length of the film and the minimal dialogue. Everything suggests to us that these characters inhabit a world at night, a world away from the life they live in the day. The setting and year the film is set is also totally ambiguous, which is a real plus. I totally picked up on the 'pig' theme. As the film moves closer and closer to the climax, there is some eerie tension. You sort of have no idea where the film is going, but then that last shot...looking back, it makes sense and almost seems inevitable. See it twice and you'll know what I mean. Good music score too

"Tomorrow's Bacon" is a throwback to the good old days of thriller/noir movies when good writing was more important than cheap shocks and sledgehammer moralizing. Would make an excellent addition to an anthology collection of shorts in the same vein. The greatest thing about an anthology movie is that each story can get in, say its piece, and get out without overstaying its welcome. Even if a bad story comes along, you know you're not going to have to suffer for more than twenty minutes -- half hour tops. Compare that with a two-hour stinker. Tomorrow's Bacon, I think, may actually be too short!

It ended just as I was getting sucked in. 'Bacon' is a very professional looking product, and the acting is never embarrassing or self-conscious (sometimes actors in cheesy horror films act as if they are in cheesy horror films). The folks here seem to be giving it their best shot. Also, the concluding shot is effective and give the film more after the screen fades to black. In other words, this is 'old school' horror that will really strike a chord with the viewer, much like Rod Serling's 'Twilight Zone' or 'Night Gallery' episodes.

This is a reasonably well made short film, though I never felt all that engaged. Much of it could just be the subject matter. Watching a couple scream at each other and treat each other like dogs is pretty tough to watch--at least for me. I never have liked "The Bickersons" or the "Mama" skit on "The Carol Burnett Show". Some of this could be because I was a psychotherapist and have simply heard enough. However, if there is such behavior AND the payoff is there, I can still enjoy the film. Unfortunately, the payoff is only okay--and not worth wading through the rest.

Now I am NOT saying this is a poorly made film--the acting and direction are just fine. I just feel that life is too short to watch this sort of stuff--thank goodness this was such a short little film.

Just not my sort of film, but perhaps you'll like it.

Tomorrow"s Bacon was an exceptionally well done first film by this talented director. I considered it a drama that had me feeling the dark emotions of the storyline which Mr Norton captured on film and made it seem real.It brought back memories of Alfred Hitchcock's ability to present the audience with suspense, just by the actors eye contact. The scenery was a beautiful winter wonderland with the shadows of tragedy hanging in the fog. I am sure Mr Norton will have great success creating film magic ,for that is his talent.