WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Choices. Normally, we as people tend to WANT to have this option when things arise that make us assess what’s most important, most impactful, most productive, and most beneficial for us and, ideally, others. While it might be literal lists or otherwise alternatives provided by someone else in instances requiring a decision, the need TO choose can either be fulfilling–or greatly vexing. However, what happens when extreme circumstances come about and the prospects we face aren’t exactly–normal?? In the midst of a family camping trip, parents Keith (Stephen Curry) and Justine (Sibylla Budd) arrive to an isolated medical clinic in a frenzy, as something has happened with both their children, son Patrick (Chris Labbett) and daughter Emily (Imogen Labbett). But, when the assistance needed proves severely problematic, that moment of choice arrives that is a complete exercise in a devastating no win scenario.
Next, my Mind:
It takes only three hundred and seventeen seconds to go from a highly frenetic (and fully understandable!) atmosphere of all-encompassing panic to one of complete, jarringly unexpected jocularity thanks to this amazingly well-conceived, brilliantly executed, and admittedly thought-provoking short film from writer/director/producer/executive producer Nick Russell and writer/executive producer Nick Musgrove that recently glorified the silver screen as a selection for the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Masterfully starting the viewer out with one of the LAST kinds of situations a parent, or parents in this case, would EVER wish to find themselves in but then discovering the means to take said situation and evolve it into a playful exercise in our human nature and the sometimes annoying realities of when offering or asking about one’s choices just might NOT be the prime thing to pursue, this is an illustration to the BEST possible degrees of precisely how deftly creative the indie filmmaking community is and the striving for originality that very much continues to define it.
With its narrative that I can truly only HINT at (unless you’ve already managed to watch the film) without giving the entire thing away, it very effectively and quite speedily draws us into a circumstance of total desperation, wrenching hopelessness, and potentially unimaginable heartbreak until we’re then witnessing all that get kicked out the door and replaced by what, at first, might be deemed as utterly misplaced humor until the story gets its further expansion in the third act that reveals all through to a finale which likewise leaves you both speechless…and laughing! Did I mention this was undeniably brilliant? What makes it so impactful is the sheer fact that the light it shines on one of our tendencies as people to poke the figurative bear when it comes to being a little TOO pushy or overly concerned about another’s behavior or choices, allowing it to fester and boil to a point of then going too far to satisfy our OWN curiosity, is portrayed with such pointed yet intentionally witty intelligence. As I find myself having to say many a time, it’s the relatability about LIFE that carries the weight of this message so wonderfully here.
Obviously, as the film’s title would suggest, the narrative thematically addresses (and, again, turns it on its head) the notion of parenting multiple children and the thoughts of EITHER parent actually HAVING or even considering a specific one as their “favorite”, much less if certain instances between one parent and a child would seem to POINT towards this, for good or ill, the reactions associated with it when things do get taken a little too far smartly become the catalyst to explain what we’ve seen depicted here over the course of the film. And, could it also be the attempt to show that it’s one of the children themselves who desires to BE “the one”, and therefore chooses to exude the accompanying attitude that tends to get them what THEY want, even at the cost of the rest of the family? All this critic knows, is that getting ice cream AS a family and asking certain questions while attempting to enjoy it might NOT be the most constructive course of action! I feel parents will relate to this film and its core intent quite well, most likely shaking their heads to a certain magnitude via an “Oh yeah, I know what THIS is like!” mentality.
Curry and Budd work together with entertaining, wholly believable, energetically viable chemistry and engagingly dynamic emotive force through their roles as Keith and Justine, two parents wishing only to have had a memorable camping trip with their family that has turned out to be anything BUT, or at least not in a GOOD way, as they face the most dire of situations when an incident befalls on both of their children. Harried and in a state of unmitigated trepidation, the ensuing time spent at a local medical facility takes a wild turn for the–unconventional?–when they initially must make an impossible decision that then turns into the most awkward–and perhaps revelatory–happenstance they could comprehend. What this might spell for the family’s future is also what makes what’s portrayed even more shocking and hilarious, with Curry’s suddenly matter-0f-fact, not-so-hesitant delivery during this key juncture just magic while Budd’s projected despair and vulnerability in presenting Justine’s unconditional love but then abject exasperation and disbelief at her husband’s statement is equally and excellently well-played and credible.
Primary supporting roles start with Tony Briggs playing the Doctor at the facility, taking on the plight of a deeply distressed couple who come charging into his clinic with two sick children, assessing them, and making the call as to what needs to be done–until the event changes drastically, leaving him quite baffled. Maria Angelico is Sam, the Doctor’s receptionist/nurse who very much gets a quick introduction to total chaos and initially has to be the one to share news no-one wanted to hear. We have a pair of Labbetts in Chris and Imogen (real life siblings I am guessing here?) and their appearance as Patrick and Emily, Keith and Justine’s children who end up on the receiving end of the bad events their parents, in a world of distraught, are now having to encounter. Yet, there’s more to their story than meets the eye, and while it may be via understated acting, the pair do a fantastic job at really saying a LOT without actually saying anything at all when the right time in the story is made known to us. Amanda Russell makes an appearance as another patient in the facility’s waiting room who simply must sit back and watch the insanity in front of her unfold.
So, in total, “Favourites” relays perfectly relevant messages about parenting, family road trips, knowing when to press the issue and when to let it go, perhaps becoming a cautionary tale through dramatic intensity tempered with unanticipated, insightfully keen comedic punch that it’s simply best to love everyone the same so familial and relational harmony is NOT endangered or preferences aren’t summarily exposed when extremes are encountered.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
