We all know those couples that seem just perfect in every way. The man loves the woman and she loves him right back. Perfection solidified. At times, knowing these "people" can be tough, as we watch our own relationships yo-yo up and down. Up and down. Jealousy kicks in, and I even know of a few people who actually hate perfect couples. It can however, also be uplifting and promising. If "they" can do it, so can I. Right? Tawny Sorensen's "The Cat's Cradle" zooms in on one such couple. It may not play out in front of you, onscreen, but we're led to believe this is a relationship made in heaven. Only in this case, that heavenly vibe is only skin deep. "The Cat's Cradle" slowly reveals that things are not always as they seem and that trust, even between married couples, can be a two foot swimming pool with a twelve foot sign. During a night of intimacy, in an attempt to conceive a child, Jim and Amy get talking and end up with a lot more than they bargained for. Directed by David Spaltro, we get a glimpse into the inner mind of Amy, and not all is well. The real kicker here is that this short film is completely believable. I couldn't help but wonder if it was actually based on a real world experience? That perfect marriage where the marital ropes are actually made of candy floss. "The Cat's Cradle" not only demonstrates how even the perfect person struggles with their demons, but asks what more is lurking in the shadows of the mind? If a secret, or secrets, such as these can exist within a person... what else? Where this film really earns it's stars however, is the complete ignorance people can possess. Especially when it comes to the one they love. This is the question hidden within the questions, and this is the real punch of reality this film thrusts out. "The Cat's Cradle" plays itself out quite nicely on your screen. Entering the fray with a comedic outlook, as it ever so slowly gets darker and darker. Especially when you begin to see the hints that things are not quite as they seem. As things slowly begin to turn, the overall reveal isn't gradual at all. You're hit with it. BANG! No way to turn back the clock. Picture a slow acceleration from zero to sixty. Paced out nicely and never pushing you back into your seat. Then, at that last minute you go from sixty to one twenty in six seconds. That's how "The Cat's Cradle" is paced, and it works like a charm. Nabil Vinas and Tawny Sorensen as Jim and Amy also feel perfectly cast. They dance around one and other just as you'd expect a married couple to do. When they begin to fight, you really feel for both of them. Another great thing about this movie is you can actually feel the reasoning behind each decision. You feel for both people, and maybe even understand a little why they did/do what they did/do. No question in my mind. "The Cat's Cradle" may be well written, but it's the acting that awesomely pushes it through until a conclusion I was not overly happy with. Don't get me wrong, this film doesn't end in a cheap way. That's not what I'm writing about. I'm writing about the unfinished feeling of the movie. I was expecting more. A closure of sorts to the problems the entire film is based. These answers never came, and this is the one major plot downfall I can't stop thinking about. Does it make the film unwatchable? No way. It just adds a slightly unfinished element that hopefully your imagination can compensate for. In the end, this is one of those films that are available to watch for free whenever you get the chance. Anyone who appreciates a good reality induced drama will find something here to relate with. Clocking in at around fifteen minutes, it's a quick fix before work or play. One I was glad to have had the chance to see.
