Short Film Review

Film Info:
A successful businessman, Thomas returns home for his father's funeral only to learn
that there is a lot more to life than making money. Paper and Plastic is a feelgood
drama that many can relate to and questions the decisions we make and how they can affect the people around us.

Written By: Mike Clarke
Directed By: Mike Clarke
Genre: Drama
20 Minutes

ON FACEBOOK
ON TWITTER
ON iMDB
HOMEPAGE
WATCH TRAILER
WATCH MOVIE

PAPER AND PLASTIC ( 2013 )

  This is not  the first film from Writer/Director Mike Clarke that I had had the pleasure of watching, so I kind of knew what to expect when I hit the play button. Or did I? Although the expert work I have come to expect was in place, the content was not. This was something different. As you can see from my rating, it is not a bad thing.
  Produced by Mike Clarke and Paul McGowan, the idea behind Paper And Plastic was to work outside their comfort zone and try something a little different. That is not to say this is a truly unique film that bends the genre it falls into, rather that it took Mike and Paul out of their comfort zones. The result is a great drama that leaves you with that little warm and fuzzy feeling inside as the credits begin to roll. Did I mention the short has a He-Man action figure? That alone should be enough to make many of us watch! Jokes aside, Paper And Plastic is a very real story that many parents have to deal with all the time. I will not go into details, but after watching it you may find yourself questioning your very own family dynamic. Like any great story though, this one ends on a happy note. The real world we live in should take a page from Mike Clarke's script.
  As I expected, the writing here is top notch. Mike truly has a way with penning conversations that make them feel authentic and not forced. I personally love cheesy writing and B class acting! That does not always work when a script leans more toward the serious side of life (Ha ha) and unfolds as a drama. My point is that Mr. Clarke has taken a story we have all heard, and made it his own by writing some believable characters. We can then factor in the fact that the cast did a great job in bringing them to life. The teeny tiny little expressions that drill home an emotion are all here. The cast should be patting themselves on the back. All of them, right down to the taxi driver at the end whom you see for a few seconds. Everyone played their parts and did them so well you wonder if they were acting at all? Maybe Paper And Plastic was really just a bunch of hidden camera's capturing the lives of everyday people! Now THAT would be a cool show.... Err.... Never mind. Already done. Back on point. Are you a member of the cast? Give yourself a thumbs up!
  The technical side of Paper and Plastic is about what I would expect. Nice shots, nice slick editing and a good ear for sound. It is all here making Paper And Plastic look and sound great! I had a few minor instances where certain sound effects just pounded my ears. Not to often though and there is a good chance that stems from my audio setup.

  My final thoughts on Paper And Plastic are easily seen by my rating. This is a great short film that I hope the world watches! It is not quite out there for public viewing yet but when it is we will let you know. In the meantime I recommend heading over to their Facebook page. It is new and could use some good ol' Indie support. It is also the fastest way to find out when you can watch the film!

Other Reviews That May Interest You