Short Film Reviews: 4-Letter Titles

Andy:

The first 4-letter word on this list refers to Andy (Brendan Meyer), a high school senior stuck dealing with bullies and an arrogant teacher terrorizing him. And as if things couldn't get worse, an incident at a party held by classmate Lia Richards (Madison Iseman) earns him a visit from the police. Now it's up to Andy to find a way to show everyone the truth. While identified as a drama on IMDb, Andy is more of a lightweight coming-of-age picture. The script touches on a lot of hot button issues, but handles them in a relatively breezy way. The story's pacing and plotting are handled well, starting from Andy's encounter with the detectives and going back to show the events that led to Andy being accused of a heinous crime. But again, don't go into Andy expecting a mood akin to that of the average Law & Order: SVU episode.

Acting-wise, Andy is pretty stellar. Brendan Meyers gives a strong lead performance as the title character, making you feel for Andy as he faces harassment and later cruel accusations through no fault of his own. He also plays well off both of his female co-stars: Madison Iseman and McKaley Miller (the latter of whom plays Andy's friend Des). On their own, Iseman works wonders with the layered depiction of Lia Richards while Miller gives a lovable performance that withstands Des's crummy response to Andy feeling justifiably defeated after what happened at the party. It's just too bad that Lia's complexity as a character is pushed aside by the slapdash ending. The final twist also unsettlingly implies that SPOILER ALERT Lia being in an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Freeman (i.e. a teenager being taken advantage of by a teacher) is something that proves she's an awful person and something Andy is right to publicly shame her for. The only people who seem to see the situation for what it is are the detectives, and it doesn't appear we're supposed to agree with their assessment. Spoilers Over

If Andy were ever made into a full-length feature, its problematic twist ending would definitely need to be elaborated on. But outside of that, it makes for an engaging look at the pitfalls of the high school experience and one boy's efforts to survive them. With relatable characters played by capable actors, Andy overcomes its C- ending and maintains a B+ average.

Score: 7 out of 10 freshman girls named Daisy.

Huff:

An uncomplicated slice-of-life tale, Huff follows a young man named Colby (Colby Cordova) as he hangs out with his friends in a broken town overrun by addiction and poverty. With cinematography as simplistic as its story, this film accurately depicts the somber reality of a dead-end existence. Through facile camerawork, dull lighting, and an appropriately cluttered set design for Colby's house, Huff avoids feeling like it's glamorizing the reckless behavior of Colby and his friends. While the depressing nature of Colby's life is never dwelled upon, the visuals make sure to keep it in the viewer's mind. Colby Cordova and all of his co-stars give natural performances that mesh together perfectly. Langi Tuifua, however, makes the biggest impression as Colby's friend Brendan, a jovial character in an otherwise dour movie.

As for Colby, the character Huff spends most of its time with, he comes with a few specks of depth. For all his irresponsible behavior, we get to see Colby's softer side through his interactions with his family. So while it may not have the most dynamic of storylines, Huff is an engrossing film about a group of directionless young people who quickly earn your pity--even if their grimy surroundings and illicit hobbies do nothing but make you squirm.

Score: 7 out of 10 bottles of Bud Light.

Stay:

Another simplistic short film, though this one comes with a gay twist. Eric (Minh Ly) wants his boyfriend Sam (Nelson Wong) to spend the night. But there's a problem: Sam's in the closet to his family and thinks staying the night could risk them finding out he's gay. In the end, what will Sam's choice be? And what will it mean for his relationship with Eric? Filmed in 3 days and on a noticeably low budget, Stay suffers a bit from its monetary constraints. While the shoddy camera quality can be forgiven, the subpar audio (which combines with the actors' shaky diction to make some of the dialogue hard to understand) isn't. But once you get past its technical issues, the movie tells a touching story about a gay couple whose love is tested by familial pressure.

While their performances are far from perfect, Minh Ly and Nelson Wong work well with Aaron Chan's script to sell their characters and the complicated relationship they have. Refreshingly, both Sam and Eric are treated as having good reasons to be upset and conflicted and neither is unfairly villainized. You understand why Sam is apprehensive about coming out to his ultra-traditional family, and you also understand why Eric is so frustrated by having a boyfriend who's keeping their relationship (in addition to his sexuality) locked in the closet. The disagreement never turns cruel, you never lose sympathy for either party, and the resolution might just surprise you. While it may not have the glossiest surface, Stay has a little something to offer underneath it and is a good short film to cap off the remaining days of Pride Month 2022.

Score: 6.5 out of 10 alarm clocks that are ten minutes ahead.

Home:

We switch social issues from homophobia to racism with Home, a short film about the Akuna family, which consists of Yvette and Paul (Vickie Turner and Souleymane Sy Savane ) and their teenage son Jonah (Meliki Hurd). They've just moved to a new neighborhood, and from the second they arrive, Jonah is plagued by disturbing visions that convince him evil lurks in their new environment. But is there more to this neighborhood than meets the eye? There is, but the answer to that question isn't as provocative as the summary might imply. But credit where credit is due, Home boasts some impressive visuals that allow the audience to share in Jonah's fear. The acting is also solid all-around, from Meliki Hurd's empathetic performance as a scared and frustrated teen to Souleymane Sy Savane and Vickie Turner's portrayals of a cold and distant father and his more compassionate wife. Yvette scolding her husband for his callous demeanor is Turner's best scene of the movie.

When it comes to story, however, Home isn't as well-built. The plot is a slow build to an anticlimactic finish, which hinges on Paul Akuna having an unbelievably abrupt shift in personality. Then there's the film's generic message regarding how to deal with prejudice, which contributes to the flat ending and leaves Jonah's disturbing visions/dreams to serve little purpose other than to trick the viewer into thinking they're watching something akin to a Jordan Peele film. So while it may have some sleek effects and a competent cast within its walls, Home takes some structural damage from its uneven storytelling and lackluster finale.

Score: 6 out of 10 bags of soil.

Lust:

Without giving too much away (unlike the movie's IMDb synopsis), Lust is about Adam and Evy (Alex Purdy and Lanisa Dawn), a young couple whose relationship takes a tragic turn after a devastating betrayal. Its symbolically named main characters are the only thing original about Lust. Even without reading IMDb's spoiler-ridden synopsis, you're likely to see the twist ending coming from a mile away. While the performances given by Alex Purdy and Lanisa Dawn are serviceable, the predictable plot and odd ending make it hard for the story's poignant elements to have any major effect. In the case of the ending, you might have a hard time figuring out how you're even supposed to feel about the way Adam and Evy's tale concludes. The consistent pace and passable acting should be enough to keep your interest, but Lust doesn't have the sparks needed to make it a memorable film.

Score: 5 out of 10 white coffee makers.

Spar:

The third and second to last short films on this list focus on sports. Spar, as the title would suggest, is about boxing. We watch as the young and plucky Isabel (Nicola Roffe) joins Left Hook, the local boxing gym. Can she overcome all the condescending jeers and her own insecurities to prove she has what it takes to be a boxer? Spar is your average feminist sports movie, told through varied cinematography and refreshingly subdued dialogue from Isabel's detractors. Rather than being over-the-top misogynistic bullies, the men of Left Hook are realistically scummy in the way they casually (and often discreetly) mock and dismiss Isabel.

Apart from that, though, Spar speeds through all the usual beats of a female empowerment flick in between training sequences. Nicola Roffe is sympathetic as the troubled but determined Isabel and Jordan Pitt is likable enough as Anthony, the one gym member who comes around to seeing Isabel as an equal. But the script is so straightforward and unevenly paced that a lot of the emotional bite Isabel's journey could've had is lost. Still, what stamina and heart Spar retains over its 14-minute runtime is enough to keep it interesting--and keep it from getting knocked down to the same ranking as Lust.

Score: 6 out of 10 Muhammad Ali posters.

Game:

A high school basketball team is holding tryouts, and one of the students in the running is A.J. Green (Nicole Chanel Williams). Unbeknownst to everyone, A.J. is a girl posing as a boy in order to join the team. Will A.J. be able to keep her secret from her perspective teammates and coach (Rick Fox)? Compared to Spar, Game is a lot more hard-hitting when it comes to addressing sexism within the sports community. The plot is more unique, the training scenes have more energy to them, and the message is more defined than just "girls can be athletes too!" The script also touches on toxic masculinity and the devaluation of women's sports teams--the latter being a lesser-discussed issue that serves as the motivation behind A.J.'s plan.

The actors also do more to carry the emotional power of Jeannie Donohoe 's script, with Nicole Chanel Williams and Rick Fox being the best of the bunch. Williams makes it easy to feel and empathize with A.J.'s frustration while Fox nails his portrayal of a tough basketball coach with a hidden heart of gold. The ending sees both actors at their best as Williams and Fox pick the perfect moments to let their characters' hard shells break away. As for the supporting players, Tye White and Jamie McShane are stellar as cocky student Collins and the basketball team's passive-aggressive assistant coach, playing their characters with an authentic amount of nastiness. All together, Game is much more engaging and thought-provoking than the sports film that precedes it on this list.

Score: 8 out of 10 Eagle Pride posters.

Meow:

To wrap up this list, we have the perfect horror short that should satisfy both fans of the genre and those without the stomach for high-octane scares. Samantha (Eleonore Dendy ) has just moved into a new apartment, and at first, all is well. But an incoming storm, a bizarre landlord, and a mysterious cat are about to change that. On the surface, Meow might appear to be a cliché horror short. It has all the tropes one might expect: a new home being plagued by disturbing occurrences, an incompetent police force, and a protagonist who stupidly sticks around even as things go from bad to worse. It's the way that Meow takes these clichés and runs with them that makes it a fun horror-comedy. The movie's well-crafted and unexpected twist acts as the cherry on top of this blood-soaked sundae.

Eleonore Dendy is a strong lead as the likably ordinary Samantha and blends well with her co-stars, all of whom play characters less conventional than hers. Nancy Marvy brings an endearing charm to Samantha's loving but slightly overbearing mother. Charles Hubbell plays Samantha's creepy landlord with all the necessary awkwardness. M.P. Johnson makes a funny cameo as a goofy "pizza dude" who has the misfortune of getting caught up in Samantha's feline troubles. If a film that's both spooky and amusing appeals to you, let your own furry companion curl up in your lap tonight and turn on Meow.

Score: 10 out of 10 severe weather advisories.

Overall:

It should go without saying that Meow is the eleventh-hour gem of this list, closing it out with a shining 10 out of 10. Most of the other films score within the ranges of "good, but not great" or "good, just shy of great." This leaves Game to stand by Meow's side as the second-highest ranked movie on the list and leaves Lust to languish at the bottom of the scoreboard. But despite the flaws that can be found in this collection of short features, each film has good qualities that make them worth checking out at least once. So grab a snack, give some of these flicks a watch, and maybe even leave a tip four me (sorry grammar Nazis, I couldn't resist) if you're feeling generous!