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First, the Recap:
Do I even want to know? A question we would rather not wish to ask when it comes to getting certain information divulged to us that ends up being bad news–or at least not what we would wish to hear. How many times, however, is the situation such where we’ve PUT ourselves IN the circumstance that would initiate this query? So, when that revelation becomes known to us, it then gets placed even more firmly on our shoulders what actions or non-actions will we take? Alex (Levin Valayil) has a crush. Yet, his trust in it to manifest into something else with Jason (Travis McClung) becomes more than just a need-to-know situation when Alex “enlists” his unwitting friend Margaret (Sarah Cronk) to come with him on what initially seems like a harmless exercise in fun but turns into far more than Alex (or Margaret!) ever anticipated–or wanted to be privy to.
Next, my Mind:
Unhealthy obsession, the yearning for what we may never have, unrequited attraction, and learning to do the one thing we seem to have the hardest time accepting–letting go and moving on–all form the thematic gist seen through this quickly paced, 7-minute short film from writer/director/producer/editor Erik Spink, producer/cinematographer Amitabh Joshi, and co-producer Dana Kalmey that saw its Texas Premiere as part of the LGBTQ 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. First off, I will admit that given its abbreviated runtime, the effort does deliver a very full storyline to take in and ponder based on the elements listed above, yet this critic still found himself feeling like a little more to it might have allowed a deeper overall connection to the events in play, perhaps just a touch less “rushed” and more backstory provided to flesh out the other factors involved with these character’s tale.
Still effectively carried off, though, the narrative that sees a man so desperately wishing he could more directly interact and then cultivate a potential relationship with the one he’s overtly smitten with provides us as the viewer with enough detail to fully comprehend the situation and therefore elicit the reactions we have to the building extreme being taken by him in an attempt to satisfy his mania. It addresses an almost “stalker” level of compulsion/fixation that certainly delivers that expected creepiness component into the mix, yet doesn’t completely avoid at least some degree of humor in it. Still, it’s primarily a dramatic tone that ultimately addresses what could be the true core of it all–loneliness. Our need to have someone close whom we can hold both our confidence and affections in is completely understandable and something we can ALL relate to, which is what does give the film its resolve and impact for us here. Again, I found myself simply wanting a tad more time to really see things expanded upon more.
The most unique aspect of how the narrative is told to us is through what the project’s title indicates and the measures by which the lead character chooses to utilize to gain what he wants to believe will be valuable information to fuel his hopes. Yet, this is also where it becomes a highly cautionary tale, as in pursuing things to the extent portrayed here paired with so many preconceived expectations, it could lead to major disappointment rather than elation. How the film takes us to this finale and the events associated with it was very well executed and stirring in its grander messages while then presenting a breath of release for the main character’s plight. As mentioned earlier, it’s about the willingness to concede when necessary and then grasp onto the fact life DOES continue and further opportunity can and, ideally, will arrive. In some small way, this almost reminded me of the general concept hashed out in the mainstream Hollywood effort “My Best Friend’s Wedding”.
Valayil is most definitely believable and delivers the apropos amount of understated but still fervently emotional manner through his role as Alex, a man dealing with a serious crush that likewise illustrates the magnitude of loneliness he’s looking to find freedom from. However, his choice of precisely HOW to pursue the object of his desire ropes in a dear friend who has no idea what he’s actually up to until in the greater midst of it, and soon the process becomes not just revealing, but in ways Alex wasn’t remotely wanting to hear or absorb. Reeling from it all, the decision to listen to a friend while reconciling his own sense of defeat becomes paramount to Alex and whether he does choose to do this, finding that door to liberation to walk through, or otherwise keep a preoccupation boiling within is the final point to aim for and Valayil pushes the character through this with that solidly performed credibility and strength that fits the circumstances portrayed.
The primary supporting roles come to life through McClung as Jason, the aware but not FULLY aware target of Alex’s addiction who also has no idea he’s being watched in a more than creepy way while enjoying time with his own newly initiated friendship that will also become a catalyst for his “stalker’s” endeavors. His thoughts communicated about Alex strike hard and McClung’s perfectly casual enactment of Jason’s demeanor towards his (unbeknownst) would-be partner hits just right to have the impact it does. Cronk enters the picture as Alex’s fun-loving but totally unsuspecting friend Margaret whose ability to read lips get turned from a silly bit of fun to a wake-up call in unwarranted obsession thanks to Alex. She soon attempts to become a serious voice of logic, warning, and support for him as the proceedings unfold, and Cronk provides the character with a nicely conveyed sense of those aspects as they relate to what we witness via viable credibility and straightforward purpose.
The final appearance is made by Jiovanni Daniel as Jason’s friend he meets and whom becomes a listening ear when Jason brings up Alex and both the concern yet sympathy for him. So, in total, “The Lip Readers” gives us a uniquely creative overall concept, well-written and implemented narrative with characters who are engaging and a moral that is highly relevant for anyone who’s ever experienced the pangs of love’s bite but haven’t seen it come to fruition with the one we wish it could be gained through. As I stated above, the main downside was that this short film was AS short as it was, since I believe it would have been served better with more time to truly be immersed in the story’s intent rather than so briefly hinted at in order to have a greater connection with the characters in play.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
