While I'm not here to argue the value of a Netflix backed short verses a low budget indie (as they both have value obviously), having two short films which have blockbuster actors and borrowed talent from mainstream Hollywood May miss the point of the short film. In my mind it's to highlight new and unsung talent, or at least show the talent you know in a less safe and less refined light that could not work in mainstream. This year we have a by-the-book, but charming, Wes Anderson film & a David Oyelowo sob fest... both of which could easily have been a snippet of a big feature blockbuster film. Let's go one by one:
"The After", in particular, feels like a really expensive student film as it recycles cliches of student work in multiple ways. It has a cartoonish faceless villain, with far too big of a knife and shot in the most boring wide shots and utilizing some cheesy 1990's Unsolved Mysteries recreation style cuts. The rest of the film is then about the father character being silent and then freaking out on people who know nothing about his struggles. There is no problem to solve and there is no solution... you're just along for the ride to watch how total messed up he is. There are no relationships, there are no plot points. It's just angst for several long minutes. We've seen this done before from many students who don't have an outlet for their angst. It's weird to see a Netflix quality show do it.
"Red, White & Blue" starts out much the same way, a bit cliche. It's shot in a blurry, shallow depth of field way, and is starting to feel a little generically made... when it does start to get some life into it when her customer inexplicably lends her money sensing she needs it for an Abortion. No explanation is made at how she came to this conclusion (which would have been nice). It jumps up a major peg when a surprise is revealed that pushes the story in another direction and keeps this feeling fresh and topical. The title and its message is a little too on the nose for me, but it is effective & some great acting keep you going.
"Knight of Fortune" was my favorite of the films. It subverts your expectations and finds gallows humor in a deadly serious topic. It keeps tapping the subtle well of bittersweet misery and empathy. It made me cry and it's extremely well photographed and directed. This was the best short in my opinion. It's the sort of movie that used to be the norm in Oscar Nominated short category. It's not flashy, but it is memorable. I hope it wins.
"invincible" is a sweet true story of a teen that is born to cause trouble. I wish I knew more of WHY he does what he does, but much like Short Term 12 a few years back it is entertaining watching him challenge the system and so sad to see him not know why he does bad things. Acting and cinematography are strong.
"Henry Sugar" is a well made short film in the style of the absolutely irreplaceable Wes Anderson. His style and color palate are so infamous by now. I can't say anything negative about the film except that because it provides nothing new to Hollywood it doesn't belong nominated. Millions would have watched this on Netflix or on a DVD extra without a nomination. I'm sure it adds some butts in seats to see this short program in theaters, but I would have just as well seen a new vision by a new or unsung director in its place. It's a fine film. Strong acting, cinematography and screenplay. I still think it shouldn't win and wasn't the best choice.
