This script tackles a complicated theme, trying to shine light on the difficulties of those suffering from autism and those caring for them. The story has an intriguing premise and a good structure, but a general disregard to details, to characterisation, to emotional build-up and credibility.
Any viewer will wonder how Ritchie's phone works so long despite having low battery, how it still works after he comes out of the lake, why he answers to the unknown number apologising, though he missed his brother's calls all day.
Also, revealing the boy's drama by showing his explanatory videos his Father sent him is not the most ingenious narrative device.
Moreover, the dialogue is abundant and predictable. The actors give a poor performance and seem to have no interest in authenticity, something that shows an unfocused direction.
Ritchie's brother and his ex girlfriend are adults with the emotional stability of teenage drama protagonists, constantly yelling and making brush grimaces.
The actress portraying Ritchie's Mother gives a more balanced performance but repeats incessantly the action of pouring hard liquor into a glass, which seems to miraculously have no effect on her.
Further on, the cinematography is careless. The composition of shots, the camera movements, the exposure and colour balance seem to have been done unprofessionally.
Even though we understand the difficulties of working with natural light, there are many over or under exposed shots. It seems like the editor couldn't fix much of the errors that happened during shooting and the bizarre camera angles, disorientating framing and shaky tracking shots are associated with sharp cuts, all resulting in a film with a syncopated rhythm that feels disruptive and incomplete for the audience.
However, the score of this short is appropriate, well-paced and graceful, improving the overall quality of the film. Taking everything into account, I appreciate that the creative team of this project do show an interest in challenging subjects, but would benefit from a more focused approach to all aspects of the filmmaking process.
Any viewer will wonder how Ritchie's phone works so long despite having low battery, how it still works after he comes out of the lake, why he answers to the unknown number apologising, though he missed his brother's calls all day.
Also, revealing the boy's drama by showing his explanatory videos his Father sent him is not the most ingenious narrative device.
Moreover, the dialogue is abundant and predictable. The actors give a poor performance and seem to have no interest in authenticity, something that shows an unfocused direction.
Ritchie's brother and his ex girlfriend are adults with the emotional stability of teenage drama protagonists, constantly yelling and making brush grimaces.
The actress portraying Ritchie's Mother gives a more balanced performance but repeats incessantly the action of pouring hard liquor into a glass, which seems to miraculously have no effect on her.
Further on, the cinematography is careless. The composition of shots, the camera movements, the exposure and colour balance seem to have been done unprofessionally.
Even though we understand the difficulties of working with natural light, there are many over or under exposed shots. It seems like the editor couldn't fix much of the errors that happened during shooting and the bizarre camera angles, disorientating framing and shaky tracking shots are associated with sharp cuts, all resulting in a film with a syncopated rhythm that feels disruptive and incomplete for the audience.
However, the score of this short is appropriate, well-paced and graceful, improving the overall quality of the film. Taking everything into account, I appreciate that the creative team of this project do show an interest in challenging subjects, but would benefit from a more focused approach to all aspects of the filmmaking process.
