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Honoring Choices

Synopsis

When Bob, Denise and Maggie’s elderly father, receives a terminal diagnosis, the sisters encourage him to prepare his end-of-life care plan. But Bob wants nothing to do with it. Throw in some family dynamics, disagreements and resentments, plus a healthy dose of stubbornness, and the scene changes dramatically when Bob is hospitalized.

Review

4/5
A moving tale of mortality, family and acceptance.
Joe Benedetto’s drama film is a touching and poignant look into the difficult subject of end-of-life care. The story centers on Bob, an aging father played with heartbreaking realism by Frank Williams, who has recently received a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. As Bob’s daughters attempt to discuss his illness and plan for the future, he shuts himself off emotionally, unable or unwilling to confront the difficult reality of his situation.

What sets this film apart is how realistically it portrays the sometimes-difficult conversations that often arise around end-of-life care and the difficulties that can arise when dealing with an illness. The writing, by Elizabeth Coplan, is deeply affecting, and the acting by the entire cast is superb, with Williams in particular delivering a gut-wrenching performance.

The cinematography and sound design are also expertly crafted, heightening the emotional impact of the story without ever feeling heavy-handed or manipulative. In particular, the use of intimate close-up shots is incredibly effective in drawing the audience into the story and gaining insight into the emotions of the characters.

Overall, Benedetto’s drama film is a deeply moving and poignant work that touches on the universal themes of family, love, and mortality. It is an important conversation starter and a must-watch for anyone who has dealt with or is facing a similar situation.

Honoring Choices Short Film

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Joe Benedetto
Writer(s): Elizabeth Coplan
Cast: Frank Williams, Liora Harvin, Tracey Evans, Zena Woody
Producer(s): Dom La Ruffa, Elizabeth Coplan
Director of Photography: Ken Kotowski
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 18 min

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Cast/Crew

Director(s): Joe Benedetto
Writer(s): Elizabeth Coplan
Cast: Frank Williams, Liora Harvin, Tracey Evans, Zena Woody
Producer(s): Dom La Ruffa, Elizabeth Coplan
Director of Photography: Ken Kotowski
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 18 min

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Honoring Choices

Synopsis

When Bob, Denise and Maggie’s elderly father, receives a terminal diagnosis, the sisters encourage him to prepare his end-of-life care plan. But Bob wants nothing to do with it. Throw in some family dynamics, disagreements and resentments, plus a healthy dose of stubbornness, and the scene changes dramatically when Bob is hospitalized.

Review

A moving tale of mortality, family and acceptance.

4/5
Joe Benedetto’s drama film is a touching and poignant look into the difficult subject of end-of-life care. The story centers on Bob, an aging father played with heartbreaking realism by Frank Williams, who has recently received a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. As Bob’s daughters attempt to discuss his illness and plan for the future, he shuts himself off emotionally, unable or unwilling to confront the difficult reality of his situation.

What sets this film apart is how realistically it portrays the sometimes-difficult conversations that often arise around end-of-life care and the difficulties that can arise when dealing with an illness. The writing, by Elizabeth Coplan, is deeply affecting, and the acting by the entire cast is superb, with Williams in particular delivering a gut-wrenching performance.

The cinematography and sound design are also expertly crafted, heightening the emotional impact of the story without ever feeling heavy-handed or manipulative. In particular, the use of intimate close-up shots is incredibly effective in drawing the audience into the story and gaining insight into the emotions of the characters.

Overall, Benedetto’s drama film is a deeply moving and poignant work that touches on the universal themes of family, love, and mortality. It is an important conversation starter and a must-watch for anyone who has dealt with or is facing a similar situation.

Honoring Choices Short Film

Recommended

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