I'm a little bit in love with this short, which proves that short films can be just as cinematic as features. The first thing we see is a dozy-looking driver sipping coffee and knocking back pills while sleepy country music plays on his car radio - an efficient way of indicating this character's fatigued state of mind early on.
I really like the way this character responds to the events in the town, like he's scared but also puzzled and a little unsure of himself. The climax in the family home is great, and the final twist might be predictable, but it's still somehow shocking on repeat viewings.
The score effortlessly reflects the protagonist's state of mind throughout - tense and scared at first, then baffled and bemused as the situation becomes more absurd, then finally shocked at what's really been happening. I love the sound design too, where despite never seeing the mannequins actually move, we can always hear what they're doing just before we see the new positions they're in. Even the camerawork is lovely, with broad day-lighting adding to the discomfort and some really nice pans (like when the car first drives into town).
The whole thing is incredibly simple and even obvious, but what really matters is just how well it's all executed.
9/10.
I really like the way this character responds to the events in the town, like he's scared but also puzzled and a little unsure of himself. The climax in the family home is great, and the final twist might be predictable, but it's still somehow shocking on repeat viewings.
The score effortlessly reflects the protagonist's state of mind throughout - tense and scared at first, then baffled and bemused as the situation becomes more absurd, then finally shocked at what's really been happening. I love the sound design too, where despite never seeing the mannequins actually move, we can always hear what they're doing just before we see the new positions they're in. Even the camerawork is lovely, with broad day-lighting adding to the discomfort and some really nice pans (like when the car first drives into town).
The whole thing is incredibly simple and even obvious, but what really matters is just how well it's all executed.
9/10.