Sparrow

I accidentally surfed into this short while at the Angelica in Dallas this past summer. I haven't been able to shake the setup it presents and just today looked on IMDb to see if a feature-length version was in the works. Hence, this review.

The plot centers on two strong characters: Angie, played by Dixie Lee Sedgwick, a trying-to-go-straight hooker whose daughter has been taken from her and placed with her horrible, vindictive mother, and her mother who is extorting money (in cahoots with Angie's parole officer) in order to even let Angie see her daughter. The core of Sparrow is a prearranged meeting between Angie and her mother. Chilling and VERY realistic. Both actors (Sedgwick and Cronauer) were terrific.

A gorgeous young actor, Levi Miles, whose character is, for the most part, preserved for later development, stole the camera when he was on screen.

Dixie Lee Sedgwick wrote and directed this short. She displays a dazzling, mature grasp of the craft. I've never seen anything else she's done, but I'm in line.

FINISH THIS FILM! OR AT LEAST TURN IT INTO A NOVEL SO I CAN FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE PEOPLE!

Recently, I purchased the short film Sparrow on DVD and have to say it was money well spent. The film was not meant to be eloquent and prettied up. It was meant to be raw and show the ugly side of family relationships when they go awry, and the emotional damage that can be done if healing does not take place.

There is an interesting contrast that stands out in the film in which one pair of family members finds forgiveness in their hearts and is willing to reconcile, while another family is not yet able, or willing, to tear down the walls of bitterness and resentment.

Dixie Lee Sedgwick gives an intensely emotional performance as Angie, who is battling both her mother and her own inner-demons while trying to maintain a relationship with her young daughter.

Veteran actress Gail Cronauer is convincing as Moreen, the unscrupulous mother who is intent on making Angie's life as miserable as her own.

There is a good mix of characters in Sparrow...some who inspire sympathy, and others who are just plain despicable.

The fabric of the story belongs to Angie, who must decide if she will continue down the path to destruction or turn to the straight and narrow path. While she does not announce her choice verbally, there is one subtle clue to her desired fate. But, you need to watch the film to find out.