WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Isn’t it about time we celebrate our differences? When so caught up in the world’s ideas of what’s normal or accepted, it tends to end up that there will be those excluded, ignored, or maltreated because they don’t “fit” the supposed “standard” of how things are supposed to be or the people we are supposed to “be a part of”. While we fully understand that becoming BFFs with everyone in the world won’t ever be possible, can there still not be more room to at least be open to interacting with those different from us when situations arise, possibly being astonished at just now relatable basic connection can reveal further potential? For hyper-smart college girl Mala (Priya Pappu), life is all about being focused on studies while still managing to sneak in a love for basketball. Doug (Darian Rolle) is all about the game, too, high ambitions in tow. But, when his team status is threatened by grades, he enlists the aid of Mala. Now let the clash of wills and hearts begin!
Next, my Mind:
Taking on its Texas Premiere as part of the Love, Lost & Found Programming at the 2022 DFW SAFF sponsored by Toyota USA and hosted by Jingo Media Founder/Festival Director Jitin Hingorani and Artistic Director Ambica Dev, this 12-minute short from writer/director Kali Bailey, writer/producer Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, plus executive producers David McKay, Paschyn Productions, David Phongsavan, Bharanidharan Rajakumar, Erin Jessica Pearson, and Gopal and Jagdee Rajakumar brings across its dramedy-infused tale of unexpected bonds, culture clashes, and the forces that drive us to excel with solid enough purpose and execution, though upon further reflection seemed to perhaps just lack that extra sense of overall strength of said messages and intent that might have taken the effort up another notch. Mind you, this isn’t remotely judging the project as an unworthy piece of filmmaking, but rather relative to many of the other short films in play at DFW SAFF, it just didn’t quite measure up for this critic comparatively.
The narrative that sees an oft done concept exploring the whole “jock vs. nerd” dichotomy, it does change things up a little by adding in a more multi-cultural/ethnic/racial contrast study and angle to it that allows the story to gain more necessary relevance, especially in this modern age of far more interracial friendships/relationships as well as the perceptions, assumptions, and judgements that we as human beings tend to allow ourselves to get swallowed up way too easily in when it comes to interacting or associating with people of another societal origin and/or color. How these factors can immediately and more so on the surface cause us to butt heads and struggle with the ensuing personality clashes (also harkening back to stereotypical notions of the “classes” of people indicated in this paragraph’s first line), the film does do a nicely orchestrated job at seeing these elements addressed in a way that is relatable and also played for multiple instances of admittedly charming humor throughout its abbreviated runtime.
Additional thematic directions the film displays include unrequited infatuation, how past loss can impact our outlook on life and drive our determination, the expectations associated with parental pressure, and being open to new ideas and awareness on how others can end up influencing us for the better. I have to say that the way the film wraps the proceedings up in its finale was completely expected, and while this is also not to say that’s necessarily a bad thing, perhaps it just seemed a little too overtly predicable from the start when there isn’t much time to flesh the story out or add some additional conflict to the formation of the lead characters’ journey in the twelve minutes we’re given here. This is both the blessing and the curse of the short film genre in that so MUCH can be successfully and impactfully conveyed in short order and other times it simply feels like more would have been better, which is what this critic ultimately felt here, as it could have offered more real “punch” to emotionally engage me.
Pappu does deliver a perfectly plausible and nicely presented performance through her role as Mala, a genius-level college student whose utilization of brain power may only be trumped, much to her traditional mother’s dismay, by her passion for basketball. Seeing tutoring as a means to an end for her ongoing goals, Mala agrees to take on one of her school’s star players as a client, though when he potentially proves to be more trouble than teachable, things don’t fly well with her strait-laced, academically focused, analytical mindset. But, even as she makes every attempt to battle through his more casual attitudes, it opens up unforeseen possibilities that may initially confound but then free her up more than she would ever suspect. Throughout, Pappu is both endearing and credibly authoritative, giving Mala that combination of vulnerability and confidence that does work here.
Likewise, Rolle exudes the kind of cocky, overly confident, but then decidedly grounded demeanor that befits his character named Doug, a star player for the college he and Mala attend, who certainly believes in his own greatness, sees himself a player on and off the court, and would at first appear to be scattered and not completely focused on what he needs to do to remain a part of what he excels at. Initially showcasing this when first arranging to meet with Mala, it isn’t long before their clashing ideologies could undermine his chances to succeed as he is required to. But, with revelations about his past and being brought into actuality by Mala’s straightforward approach, it isn’t long before his comfort level with her begins to shift in other ways besides his tutoring sessions, and whether this could become something is what he soon wishes to pursue. It’s an understandable outcome to the journey the character is on, and Rolle does a fine job in his performance, bringing that cocky-then-serious manner out in Doug effectively enough.
Supporting roles arrive first from Richa Chandra as Mala’s highly conventional mother Kavitha whom we can tell is only wishing for the high mountains of success for her daughter, with nothing else being of any true importance beyond that. Carolyn Rose is Nana, Doug’s parental figure who has brought him through great challenges in his life to aid him in achieving what he has, instilling that belief when hopelessness could have ruled instead. Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar is Mala’s free-spirited aunt Anitha who more than contradicts Kavitha when it comes to Mala’s fascination with basketball. Finally, Prashanth Veeragandham is Prasanth, a worker at the school library who holds quite a torch for Mala himself. So, in total, “Me Against The World” speaks to us rising about adversity, the ways we overcome our differences, discover common ground, and how we can assuredly end up surprised by what we might find out of it all. It wasn’t a favorite of mine from this year’s DFW SAFF, but that’s only because I think somehow the films could have been more.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
