Mickey Roberts and Gianni Damaia’s reel-time drama film is a remarkable achievement, weaving together numerous life-altering events in a young woman’s life into a single, gripping narrative. Grace Duah gives an incredible performance as Grace, an aspiring actress who faces a series of significant challenges on the day of her college play’s opening night. Her struggles with her mother’s impending death and relationship woes with her ex-boyfriend could easily have been overwhelming, but Duah expertly balances vulnerability with strength, making her character’s journey both relatable and compelling.
The film is a technical marvel, shot entirely in a hand-held style that makes it feel as if you’re experiencing everything in real time. This is a remarkable feat of filmmaking that effectively ratchets up the tension and urgency of each scene to an almost unbearable degree.
The moments of levity that are scattered throughout the film help to balance the heavy emotions and make it a more complete viewing experience. The film’s emotional punches are delivered with unflinching honesty, leading to an intense rush of feelings in its audience.
Overall, Roberts and Damaia’s short film is brilliant in its craftmanship and emotionally effective. Its powerful themes of love, loss, and acceptance resonate deeply with viewers, making it a touching and unforgettable watch. A remarkable achievement in storytelling and technical filmmaking. Highly recommended.
