directed by:
Revell Carpenter written by: Revell Carpenter genre: Drama |
Relationships during even the best of times can be complicated and messy beasts. So much relies on both parties being in sync that finding true love is considered the ultimate gift. Relationships, however, can and do often last a lifetime even when someone cares or loves the other more - but usually, they are tough to maintain and require, at the very least, a lot of common ground. But what about the other side of the fence? How far should you pursue a relationship that is almost certainly doomed to failure? Would your feelings be enough to tide you through? And what about those relationships that are started and maintained by those who are unsure even after the fact? About not only their partner but themselves as well? This is the territory "Goodnight" delves into - and for a ten-minute short film, it does an excellent job.
The film starts with Daisy getting herself ready to attend a party. She has a gift and is in the process of finishing a card when the flick begins. Everything seems to be going smoothly, and she even received what could be considered an exciting phone call regarding her arrival - a popular lady indeed. Once greeted and through the door, Daisy spots a man in the other room, and the two sneak off for a private conversation. It's quickly apparent that these two have had some kind of relationship and that Daisy is looking to either step it up, or shut it down, or reminisce. I won't go into the meat and potatoes that is the last act of the film, but there is a twist, and things are not entirely what they seem. As hinted at above, "Goodnight" is a relationship film - and it's a good one. The version of this film I got to see was an assembly cut of sorts, but with that said, it still showcased itself nicely. There is some nice camerawork, and good choices were made to show off the flashback sequences in the film. Interestingly enough, Revell Carpenter not only stars in this film but also writes and directs. The pulling and stretching of these combined duties show no trace - aside from a few audio issues, which was expected because it is unfinished work. Overall? "Goodnight" holds up pretty damn well. It also doesn't hurt that the story itself is well-written and not overly complicated. Just right, to get the point across. Also worth mentioning are the performances. You would expect Carpenter to hold her own brilliantly, but Ben, played by Michael Bonini, has absolutely no problem keeping pace. Come to think of it? Although seen very little, even McKylin Rowe works the minor part like a pro. No complaints.
What more is there to write? "Goodnight" is a clever short film that relies on how familiar we are with broken relationships, in one form or another. It uses that familiarity to build a connection instantly, and with so few minutes to spare, that connection is crucial. This was a nicely directed and well-acted short. No question. Four solid stars. |
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