Written and directed by Bryan Pitts, ‘Subliminal’ is a short drama film that delves into the breakup of a young couple amidst the age of social media. Starring Shonari James and Rico Gomez as Rose and Anthony, the narrative, which omits verbal character dialogue throughout, follows their separation and use of Instagram to indirectly communicate. ‘Subliminal’ is poignant drama which is interwoven with popular music to convey character emotion.
The 10-minute film opens with the breakdown of their relationship, despite their unblemished bond on Instagram. Throughout the narrative, we witness their emotional struggle during separation and the inability to communicate effectively. A harrowing watch that showcases the distorted reality on social media and it’s use in unsympathetic game-playing. The narrative takes a dramatic twist – which is a sobering reminder to embrace authentic human connection and maturity.
Shonari James and Rico Gomez deserve high praise for their silent performances – a commendable effort in showcasing character expression. In spite of it’s melancholic plotline, the drama is unfortunately cheapened by its use of a contemporary juke-box soundtrack which overly sentimentalizes the principal themes. Cinematography and post-production are of an acceptable standard that will ensure viewer engagement from start-to-finish. A tragic romance with an unsettling conclusion.
