ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

The Cleverest Thief

Synopsis

Music has been Florence’s life; composing, playing and teaching. And now, in her twilight years an important commission. Will her diagnosis of dementia prevent her from finishing the culmination of her life’s work or will her passion find a way through the confusion.

Review

5/5
A character study about the trials and tribulations of Alzheimer’s disease.
Directed by Andrew Ball-Shaw, from a screenplay by Caroline Coxon, ‘The Cleverest Thief’ is a short drama film that explores the ailing health and undefeated psyche of a woman with Alzheimer’s disease. Libby Wattis leads the cast as Florence, who – despite the hindrance of dementia – is tasked with crafting the musical composition for an upcoming ballet. Additional cast includes; Christopher Laishley as Matt, and Laura Lindsay as Sarah. In spite of the films explicit poignancy, the drama is enriched with comical undertones through the central characters self-depricating humor.

Throughout the 35-minute film, which is almost entirely set in one location, the narrative delves into the psychological symptoms, personality and behavior of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. With the support of her devoted children, Matt and Sarah, Florence is faced with the uphill challenge of household duties and personal maintenance – all the while steadfast and determined to complete the musical arrangement. The film acts as a character study of an Alzheimer’s patience – with the character occasionally breaking the fourth wall to divulge her angst and wavering state of mind.

The Cleverest Thief
Following on from Andrew’s comparable short ‘Lavender’, which also stars Libby Wattis, ‘The Cleverest Thief’ delivers a more comprehensive snapshot of life with the disease – albeit with a comical underbelly. Wattis once again presents a sensational performance that encapsulates the authentic character traits of a suffer – which viewers will find highly intriguing.

Christopher Laishley and Laura Lindsay deliver equally commendable performances that will resonate with those who care for a sufferer. Technically, the film is crafted with high quality cinematography and post-production – aided by an exquisite musical soundtrack. Viewers are likely to shed a tear during the poignant closing scene. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Andrew Ball-Shaw
Writer(s): Caroline Coxon
Cast: Christopher Laishley, Laura Lindsay, Libby Wattis
Producer(s): Andrew Ball-Shaw
Director of Photography: Katie Harriman
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Collections: ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 35 min

Recommended

5/5

Friendly

An inexperienced black soldier on the frontlines of the Korean War must hide a horrible mistake….
  • Action, Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 19 min
5/5

The Tree

Reeling from the recent death of their widower father, James and younger sister Yasmin arrange to meet and empty the boxes from his old…
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 18 min
4/5

You Are Here

A daughter’s attempt to help her recently widowed mother backfires, when the woman becomes obsessed with her late husband’s image on a computer’s street…
  • Drama, Fantasy
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 14 min
5/5

A Place to Hide

Charlie and his mother, Laura, are on the brink of poverty, living out of a motel room they rent monthly. His mother, with late-stage…
  • Drama, Experimental
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 10 min
4/5

a Short Story about Kore

A female alcoholic at rock bottom, faces life-or-death questions, ‘Do you want to be okay? Do you want to live?’ Though Kore’s reality is…
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 17 min
3/5

Stalemate

A woman plays a chess match against herself….
  • Drama, Mystery
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 3 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Andrew Ball-Shaw
Writer(s): Caroline Coxon
Cast: Christopher Laishley, Laura Lindsay, Libby Wattis
Producer(s): Andrew Ball-Shaw
Director of Photography: Katie Harriman
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Collections: ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 35 min

Recommended

3/5

Boned

  • Action, Comedy
  • United States
  • 2022
Jay owes a sadistic loan-shark, $20,000. His best friend, Demetrius, is the loan sharks strong-arm and is now tasked with either collecting the money or bringing Jay in to his warehouse to be wildly tortured….
4/5

The Confidant

  • Drama
  • India
  • 2021
The story of a housewife who is constantly on her phone, chatting, comforting and sharing a laugh with someone. It is by revealing the recipient of all of these calls that the film shares an important message about mental health.

Insightful in its content, and impactful in its context. The…

The Cleverest Thief

Synopsis

Music has been Florence’s life; composing, playing and teaching. And now, in her twilight years an important commission. Will her diagnosis of dementia prevent her from finishing the culmination of her life’s work or will her passion find a way through the confusion.

Review

A character study about the trials and tribulations of Alzheimer's disease.

5/5
Directed by Andrew Ball-Shaw, from a screenplay by Caroline Coxon, ‘The Cleverest Thief’ is a short drama film that explores the ailing health and undefeated psyche of a woman with Alzheimer’s disease. Libby Wattis leads the cast as Florence, who – despite the hindrance of dementia – is tasked with crafting the musical composition for an upcoming ballet. Additional cast includes; Christopher Laishley as Matt, and Laura Lindsay as Sarah. In spite of the films explicit poignancy, the drama is enriched with comical undertones through the central characters self-depricating humor.

Throughout the 35-minute film, which is almost entirely set in one location, the narrative delves into the psychological symptoms, personality and behavior of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. With the support of her devoted children, Matt and Sarah, Florence is faced with the uphill challenge of household duties and personal maintenance – all the while steadfast and determined to complete the musical arrangement. The film acts as a character study of an Alzheimer’s patience – with the character occasionally breaking the fourth wall to divulge her angst and wavering state of mind.

The Cleverest Thief
Following on from Andrew’s comparable short ‘Lavender’, which also stars Libby Wattis, ‘The Cleverest Thief’ delivers a more comprehensive snapshot of life with the disease – albeit with a comical underbelly. Wattis once again presents a sensational performance that encapsulates the authentic character traits of a suffer – which viewers will find highly intriguing.

Christopher Laishley and Laura Lindsay deliver equally commendable performances that will resonate with those who care for a sufferer. Technically, the film is crafted with high quality cinematography and post-production – aided by an exquisite musical soundtrack. Viewers are likely to shed a tear during the poignant closing scene. Highly recommended.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope