directed by:
Kyle Holbrook written by: Kyle Holbrook genre: Drama |
Let me just lay it all out on the table; I didn't really get this. Now, reader, I did understand the concept - I just couldn't seem to follow along all that well. When considering the execution, a lot of what I did understand about the idea came from reading the lengthy description included with the review request. Without that description, I feel I may have been completely lost - but I can also admit that "Quarantine Roommate(s)" definitely did bring out some dark emotions. In that regard, mission accomplished.
Essentially, this eleven-minute series opener is one giant montage full of weird sights, sounds, and editing. It's all layered with weird bangs, tones, and repeating dialog throughout the entire run. "I need to speak with my doctor" is a line that will now probably be etched in my brain for weeks, along with some of the weird and dizzying images. What Kyle Holbrook's film did do quite well is create a feeling of hopelessness, despair, and perhaps even anger. A feeling many of us probably grew familiar with during the pandemic. That feeling of being alone, helpless. I imagine that was the whole point of this opening episode, and for that reason alone, "Quarantine Roommate(s)" is worth the look - but I don't feel this episode will be for everyone. The big thing for me was the fact that nothing really made sense. Although I believe that that was the whole point, it really made watching Holbrook's film challenging at times. Obviously, since I rated this episode a two-point-five, I'm not saying it was a bad experience. Not at all. It was just a confusing experience. Then you have the audio, which was so uneven that I'm pretty sure my speakers are now forever damaged. On more than one occasion, I was startled by the sudden explosion of sound - an explosion that one-hundred-percent my speakers did not like. But through it all, I keep coming back to the fact that "Quarantine Roommate(s)" did create an emotional response within me. It did what so many heavily-budgeted movies failed to do.
At the end of the day, I simply feel that the "average" viewer will not be who Holbrook's production will be geared towards. "Quarantine Roommate(s)" feels more like it was made for those who want to ponder the meaning of every single little detail: the thinkers and those who appreciate film as more than a source of entertainment. I also tend to believe that filmmaker Kyle Holbrook knows all of what I wrote because honestly? Why else would such a long description be included? Why else would a breakdown and explanation be needed before watching? Do I believe there is an audience for this kind of thing? Of course! Was this production up my alley? That doesn't really matter - the real question is if it's up yours? |
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