The Finalist

I got to see this short in Los Angeles and thought it was absolutely clever and hilarious. The story captures a comical view of the pressure an actor experiences when making it to a final call back for a very high profile job. The casting couldn't of been more perfect. Each actor brought a three-dimensional view to their characters wonderfully. This is definitely a challenge to do within a short film and it couldn't of been as apparent if it wasn't for the director, Armand Mastroianni. He tells the story with the perfect balance of humorous subtlety to over the top laughter allowing the performances to flourish with the proper amount of slice of life humor to over the top comedy.

As mentioned, the performances are all exceptional. Especially Chris Muto. This actor demonstrates talent and the camera picks up on him beautifully.

Well done!

The Finalist demands your attention by setting the tone with a unique intro that keeps you wondering what will unfold. Ben Gavin, Paul Elia, Chris Muto, and Adrian Geata deliver their lines brilliantly and feed of each others characters which brings this film alive. Another impressive aspect of The Finalist was the gun shot to Dylans (Ben Gavin's) head, it was made wonderfully. The Finalist gives you an insight to the life of an actor and what an actual audition might look like, then throws you for a crazy twist. I really enjoyed when Martin Benetti (Chris Muto) returned to the room with a real gun.Dylan was very entertaining to watch he is that prick that picks up every girl you wish you could and knows he can do it. His character was written and executed beautifully. Last but certainly not least the directing from Armand Mastroianni allows for the true performance of the actors to come to life.

Seldom do we see the process...the process actors must go through before they land a part. In this case, it's a star-maker role with an important director. Casting has narrowed down the candidates to a final four, but who will be "The Finalist"? The brilliance of this short film is that we're never sure where it's really going. A solid, home-made Italian meal might be considered foreshadowing, in a sense, but ultimately adds to the growing tension between the actors who, despite this opportunity for professional camaraderie, hunger to get the call that gets them the life-changing part.

The genius of "The Finalist" is in the clues beautifully planted throughout its short running time. It's a mini-masterpiece that will trigger further reflection and dissection long after the shocking final scenes.

Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable. Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.

Every wonder how it must have been for Tom Hanks to audition for his first role with a director known for dark humor about human nature? That director, Armand Mastroainni, who discovered Hanks amongst other noted actors, now gives us insight into his Italian heritage as a movie maker, staged with four actors vying for the role of a "lifetime". Like a foursome planning a "hit" these actors bring us into their cutthroat world. Every laugh is like standing on a street corner in Little Italy watching what you know is not just guys joking around. When reality hits… you know you are going to watch this short film again and again to pick up the clues you missed the first time around. But you may be too late…this director doesn't do second takes.