Faithful (2017) - USA - Drama - Not Rated (Family)Independent Short Subject - (PRE)FORMA-SE Artistic Productions - 13 MinsDirected by Niklas BerggrenWritten by Aleksandra MilanovaStarring Clarissa Hoffmann, Ellis Miller, Cynthia Aileen Strahan, Eve Coquillard, Eddy Lee, Sarah Schulte
A well written story crafted into an impactful drama with tight direction and top notch performances.Lauren has always been faithful to Ron. Not only as a loving wife whose heart is given only to him, but in sacrifices she makes for his, their, benefit. But is there such as thing as being too faithful?
Up front, Faithful is an amazing short film. Berggren's direction is tight, taking the viewer exactly where he wants them to be for the best vantage point. There is a scene in here that, when I saw the framing, I thought was Kubrick-esque. I was wrong on that as it reveals itself to be something else and you can really appreciate the beauty of his composition in this. His direction is deliberate, not wasting space and yet bringing full composition to scenes.
The actors really put out in this. Clarissa Hoffmann brings an edgy pensiveness to the character of Lauren. Ellis Miller is necessarily detached as Ron feeding Lauren's need to hold on. Cynthia Aileen Strahan brings a duality to Mary-Anne in having a glib bluntness but with sincerity and an open heart. And Eve Coquillard brings a powerful performance as Lauren's mother, hers and Clarissa Hoffman's mastery of expressiveness tendering the fulcrum of the story.
Faithful uses a destructured narrative of fragmentary collusion which crystallizes at its most potent moment. Story, direction and acting combine into a presentation that impacts the viewer like a ton of bricks.My Rating: 5 Fingers! I give it a high five!
