directed by:
James Dubbeldam written by: James Dubbeldam genre: Drama |
It is more than commendable that Writer/Director James Dubbeldam has such an inherent knack for creating wild concepts that get you thinking about so many cool things. I've written about several of his films on these pages here at IndyRed, and I swear, you can just tell this is the kind of guy that never runs out of ideas. Beyond that, he's got this uncanny way of making films that draw upon who we are, which is another noteworthy accomplishment for which he should get a lot of credit. Whether it has been super dramatic material or highly conceptual, strangely comedic works like "A New You" - where you have to somewhat figure out where the line is between what's funny and what's real – every move that Dubbeldam makes adds to a growing legacy that'll make him a household name in the future. I'm sure of it.
So listen…if you're the kind of person that's been living a completely perfect life - and you have been for as long as you can remember, then I suppose there's a small chance this short film ain't gonna be for you. As for the rest of us – the 99.9% of us that have dreamt about doing something – anything – differently than we've been able to do it in this one life we've got, whether that's running faster, jumping higher, looking better, etc. etc. – "A New You" is a film that you'll be surprised at how much you relate to. So many of us around the world would choose something slightly different about ourselves if we had the option to do it; take me, for example – I'm as hairy as the missing link! Suppose you're telling me there's a pill to take all that away, and I'm still in my twenties when I cared so much more about that kind of aesthetic stuff - in that case, I think I'd sign up for anything that would have potentially slowed my follicle growth from becoming the forest that now so proudly spans the length of all 5'8.5" of me. TMI, I know – but you get what I mean. The majority of us would make some kind of change if we had the option to do it. As to whether that's the right or the wrong thing to do with this one life we've got, that's probably more up to each of us as individuals to decide, which is another layer of conversation that a short film like this one is sure to kickstart in anyone that watches it. Personally, I was in genuine awe of "A New You" right away because Dubbeldam essentially makes it impossible for us all to side with the main character (Diamante Clarke) instantly. He's sitting there on the couch, just munchin' on late-night snacks, complete with stains on his shirt that you know came from OTHER previous snack sessions, staring away at the television screen while the glow of its light envelops him with its warmth & comfort. Again – I think we'd be apt to jump at the chance to change any singular piece of ourselves…but that's one thing. Dubbeldam introduces the possibility of changing EVERYTHING about us with a single pill – as in, from top to bottom, "A New You" – what do you think about THAT? It's interesting, right? I think the idea of changing a piece is almost universally appealing because, in theory, we'd still be who we are and who we've known ourselves to be throughout our time on Earth – but a whole new you? That's also a whole different conversation, ain't it? When I considered that idea and how that would likely potentially narrow the candidates to take such a pill, given that it would seem like so much more of a leap to take, I was genuinely amused at how I felt like about 100% of the people out there would take something to change a little something, but that maybe like, what…maybe 40% of us would take something that would change everything? Ain't that something? You think about that for a moment and see what you come up with…see how you feel about these concepts from your own perspective. Now, I'm going to let you in on the genius that is James Dubbeldam…because there is still more math involved. Obviously, such an incredible product isn't just going to be FREE – we're capitalists! Of course, there's going to be some kind of astronomical cost to change something about ourselves – think of all those plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills with their mansions & such who have made a lucrative living on exactly that! What if a pill to an entirely new you wasn't only possible to make but would only cost you the low, low price of $19.99? YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? This is the brilliance of Dubbeldam in action, y'all – he just took that 40% of us that would be willing to throw caution to the wind in search of a new & better version of ourselves - and brought that number back to the 100% that would have sought out only a single change. At $19.99, there's practically NO RISK to the riskiest idea you've ever heard of! So what if you became "A New You" that you didn't even like? Got another $20? Order up another and fix it! Are you tired of not knowing what the other potential you are busy doing in the multiverse? Maybe a bunch of these pills could get you close to knowing what the truth in that scenario is? Wanna duck out of work permanently or lose the authorities once and for all for the crimes you've committed? Boy, I have a pill for YOU! The possibilities of its potential are endless…and then James had to go and make it affordable, thereby basically making the temptation outright irresistible for the majority of us.
I love it! I love this idea! The execution of it is equally awesome. I'll never understand how Dubbeldam became such an expert at self-restraint and minimalism, but the man just gets how to make a short film. I'd be tempted to expand a concept like this until it was a television series with ten seasons, but James is always so content to let the minds of his audience fill in the rest of the blanks. I love the set up in "A New You" in how it quickly establishes our curiosity, gains our confidence and confirmation with the credibility and relatable nature of its core idea, and then makes the ultimate switch at the end to become a careful what you wish for scenario, which will add another several layers to this concept that would keep any philosophy major incredibly happy to discuss in an essay spanning hundreds of pages. I'll limit myself and simply say that, from my own perspective, Dubbeldam stuck the landing to this film brilliantly – "A New You" has something for everyone, and its overall concept is eerily desirable, even after we see how this whole film plays out. Trust me – if you think that the twist at the ending might be the cause for some folks to consider taking such a miracle drug, I'm telling you that what James will show you throughout "A New You" would be more than enough to entice just as many to sign up for it immediately. What a thought-provoking dude! I tell ya, this Dubbeldam guy is really onto something special with his approach to filmmaking…everything he's created is always such an enormous pleasure to watch, think about, and experience. "A New You" proudly holds the high standard of his excellence and arguably pushes it even further – I'm going with four and a half outta five stars here – from the root concept to its widespread appeal, to the way that James has crafted the story… you're all gonna love it. |
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