directed by:
Usher Morgan written by: Usher Morgan genre: Drama |
Jamie Rockwell suffers from a condition known as agoraphobia and literally panics at even the thought of leaving her apartment. The condition, it seems, has steadily gotten worse over time, and it's when her dog goes missing that Jamie decides to attempt the unthinkable - to leave her safe space and look for him. But it's not just about leaving her apartment; it's also about the memories that come flooding in as she pushes herself forward inch by inch. Jamie's lost dog may be the springboard, but it's her sheer will that is explored - and all within twenty minutes. Impressive.
"Homebound" deals with a lot of themes and visual representations involving various illnesses and desires. Jamie's use of a therapy dog is the main one, but the use of music is prevalent. But Usher Morgan's short film doesn't stop there. It also deals with some taboo elements, such as a doctor who crosses the line and, generally speaking, the never-ending inner battle some people deal with daily. Although the character Jamie suffers an extreme case of agoraphobia, the condition itself is not entirely uncommon. What really struck me about this short film is that it's actually entertaining, which is often overlooked when it comes to movies of this nature. Flicks with a phycological message to deliver or movies mainly featuring only one protagonist are often bland or boring. Not the case here. "Homebound" is slick, polished, and put together in such a way as to be deeply engaging—nothing at all wrong with that. On the technical side of things, this film has a lot more going on than you may at first realize. Setting aside the excellent performances from both of the actors in this film, some real thought seems to have gone into building an atmosphere. More precisely? A very claustrophobic atmosphere that seamlessly works its way into the mind of whoever is watching. Lots of close-up shots mirror the way Jamie must constantly feel - and it all works like a charm. I also enjoyed the way flashbacks were used, and even the audio contributes to a fitting vibe. The bottom line is I liked the way this film was acted out, the way it looked, and the way it sounded—checkmarks in all the right places.
So, how did it all turn out for Jamie? Did she find her dog? Did she even manage to get out of her apartment to look for him? Well, reader, you'll simply have to watch to find out. Usher Morgan and his cast and crew have put together an excellent short film - of that there is no question. I highly recommend it. Well done. Time well spent. |
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