Boundaries (2000) User Reviews

Brilliant, hysterical and truly original.

[Quadras · 10/10 · 30 July 2003]

Brilliant, hysterical and truly original. "Boundaries" is one of the few shorts I have ever seen that probably has as much gut appeal to a child as to a seasoned intellectual. I was not surprised to learn that this short film won a boatload of festival prizes. I know the short story (by Fernando Sorrentino)on which the film is based, and I find the film version to be a wonderfully innovative, not to mention hilarious, adaptation of the writer´s work. The filmmaker has added a secondary narrative about a woman trapped in Mexico that gives the central metaphor of Sorrentino´s story even more resonance. The film spins endless variations on a single ludicrous image, that of a mute trombonist clunking a hapless woman on the head with his trombone slide. In the hands of a lesser director, this could quickly become tedious; but here it is always original and somehow surprising. I will not spoil the ending, but I will say the filmmaker does the writer one better in devising his conclusion. Both principle actors do a commendable job with this potentially difficult material, and the cinematography, while at times slightly inconsistent, has its primary strength in the striking originality and relevance of the shot compositions, especially in the Mexico scenes. "Boundaries" operates in the best tradition of absurdist/surrealist comedy. A profoundly thoughtful short film that is mightily entertaining.

A thoughtful, tragicomic film

[cassandrafilm-1 · 8/10 · 11 August 2006]

Boundaries is a very good film. I was surprised to read some of the negative comments. The only way to justify them is that they must be written by people who missed all of the film's subtleties. This well-crafted film manages to be, both layered, and very entertaining. The use of repetition is very effective, it seems to underscore some unpleasant yet unavoidable aspects of human existence. We humans spend our lives being hit by the proverbial trombone. We fall into patterns, we seek our own traps, and then grow to love the things that we find most frustrating and torturous. Human nature is very perplexing and this film captures some of the absurdities of our existence in a very rich way. Another dimension of the film involves the clash of cultures, which the director explores in a humorous and unflinching way. I look forward to seeing more of Mr. Durbin's work in the festivals!

Excellent short..., beautifully shot, well acted, funny, interesting...

[codell-1 · 10/10 · 25 June 2006]

and more... "Boundaries" is an example of a near perfect short film. It has an engaging story but also something beneath..that is, some sort of metaphor too it.

Rich characters throughout, well, mainly on the Mexico side of things. Some great location cinematography, solid acting, the man with the trombone is on the verge of breaking into the big time sort of.

Very artistic and I mean that in a good way (the thought of an 'art film' will drive audiences away screaming). This thing did very well on the festival circuit I believe.

Greg Durbin is a Professor of film in San Diego and I strongly suspect that some if not all of the incoherent/negative comments on this page are by spurned students.

Nevertheless, some may not like such an artistic piece but such people shouldn't waste there time watching short films. I have made a few myself and in some ways they are bound to be pointless but boundaries breaks out of that category. Great work, can't wait for the follow up Greg!

Short plot summary

[Berry500 · 9/10 · 19 January 2001]

BOUNDARIES is hysterical. This short film quickly draws the audience into the life of a woman who is plagued by a man who lives to poke her with his trombone. She was just trying to return to San Diego! A very silly plot and I loved it!

I think a person has it out for this film or this director--don't trust all the negative reviews

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 26 June 2009]

It's very odd. When I read through the reviews for this film, I noticed 4 in a row that were posted within days of each other that were so thoroughly negative and nasty that I wonder if a person has opened multiple accounts to trash the film. I've seen this a few times in the past. All I can say for sure is that this is a good film and while I could understand someone not loving it, I can't understand the vitriol.

The film is an absurdist comedy. If you are trying to find deep meaning, don't bother--I am pretty sure it's just meant to be stupid and weird--and on that level I can accept it.

The film begins with a Mexican-American woman getting stuck in Mexico without a passport. She's practically broke and to make things worse, a guy with a trombone begins following her about--annoying and hitting her with the slide on the trombone. At first, she becomes violent and after a while, she tries to ignore it. This continues for three years! It's quirky, it's strange but it's also strangely funny and compelling. Well done, but certainly not everyone's cup of tea.

REALLY BAD

[nikkip-1 · 2/10 · 17 February 2003]

Not once, but twice, i was forced to sit through this by my boyfriend who for some reason thought it was funny. I thought it was yet another attempt by a wannabe intelectual trying to do broad comedy. This film just SUCKS. LAme . LAme. LAMe no stars out of a million!!!!!!

UNFUNNY

[whatdoyouthinkyouaredoing2000 · 1/10 · 17 January 2003]

Wow, I never thought I would yearn for the days of 70's sitcoms where the lead would have that wacky dream or school project where they made a bland weak low brow film. Generic humor has a new name and it is BOUNDRIES!

Do not come within 50 Feet of this piece of SH*T

[gordon_gano · 1/10 · 25 April 2005]

Boundaries are right!!! KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.

I saw a "bootleg" copy of this through a former friend of mine.

Absolutely one of the worst shorts I have even seen. Why this has such a high rating is beyond me I guess someone somewhere found the predictability of the story reassuring and cute. I'm sure his mother liked it. A pure mess all over the place and pitiful acting. Maybe film school is a good thing. At least "Film makers" like this would learn how to make a film that does not blow. Go see any Bennifer film for a better time. But hey I did not like the Psycho remake either so maybe it's me. I gave it 1 star because I could not go any lower!!

Typical, boring, monotonous, tedious, irksome, tiresome, humdrum

[jenny-otoury · 1/10 · 18 March 2005]

Just like every other mediocre short you have ever seen. The writer/director seemed to have no sense of pacing or character development and without a plot that's pretty sad. You'll get more entertainment at a Michael Bay Film and that is really really sad. I understand how these films get made, but how do they end up being accepted into film festivals? Pointing and shooting does not a film maker make. Not worth it even for a novelty. But hey everything did seem to be in focus, so what the hell, gold stars all round. Mediocrity is way underrated.

Is there an IMDb bottom 250 for shorts?

Perdictable crap AVoid at all cost!!!

[amigopals · 1/10 · 3 January 2003]

This looks exactly like a story I read as a boy in mexico. Doesn't anyone do anything original anymore? And what was with the bad editing and photography, does a short film have to be short on talent and timing? Go back to school and pay attention this time.

Complete and Utter waste of celuloid

[workinggirl20042000 · 2/10 · 1 February 2003]

So sad when short film makers dont know when to stop the story. This, like many other short films suffers from lack of story and relying on one bad joke that a 12 yr old could have improved on. I sincerly hope that this was the film makers first project, because he has nowhere to go but up. If your at a good party and want to kill the mood I suggest watching this. Go see a stooges short, its funnier, shot and acted beeter, and no annoying pretentious wannabe art house director to ruin it.