WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Carefree into chaos. Each and every day, we strive to make the most of what this life has to offer. At least, that’s the plan. We have our routines, our work, our play, our friends, and all the other facets that make it worth wakening. Yet, we also must face the realization that challenges do also arise, making us work to find logical solutions. What happens, though, when the resolution we seek doesn’t even exist yet?
For happy-go-lucky, vibrant LUKi (Toby Cochran), the new dawn brings immediate joy and anticipation of everything the day will hold. Completely immersed in ensuring all aspects of his usual existence are in place and fulfilled, LUKi really has no concerns at all. But, when random instances of his right arm starting to malfunction occur, LUKi ends up having to confront the most difficult and harsh reality he’s ever had to accept.
Next, my Mind:
If you’ve ever found yourself pondering the enigma of whether something could be engagingly charming and addictively entertaining but then heartbreakingly impactful and tear-inducingly sobering in its awareness-raising intent–look no further, as now you’ve found it. “It” being this utterly profound, adeptly written, intelligently executed 11-minute Oscar qualifying short film from writer/director/executive producer/editor Toby Cochran, writer Sascha Groen, writer/executive producer Anjo Snijders, producer Adrian Ochoa, plus executive producers Sven Oud, Sicco Posthumus, and Melinda Kavanaugh. The spectrum of emotions encountered through this innocently stirring yet formidably compelling project is legion, tugging relentlessly at your senses with such vigorous force as it addresses the ominous specter of one of the most devastating physical illnesses out there–ALS.
The narrative, ultimately created to teach younger audiences about the intricacies of this disease, carries itself with undeniable whimsy alongside unavoidably candid weightiness, following the life of a robot whose actuality gets interrupted by the initial onset, then diagnosis, of ALS. Given its abbreviated runtime, the fact that the film can so successfully manage to credibly manifest as many smiles as it does while then making such an evocatively serious transition into the heavier atmosphere is an accomplishment in itself. Fancifully soaring in a character’s infectiously carefree world to only come crashing down with the truths conveyed, it is admittedly overwhelming on many fronts. BUT, it IS this acute direction the film takes that MAKES it so definitively effective, refusing to shy away from its theme’s primary objectives while still making it accessible to families who are sadly having to handle this scenario as well as the greater viewing public.
Additionally, it is also the unflinching nature of the delivery here that I RESPECT, because in spite of the sorrowfulness the narrative ends up coming around to, watering it down would have been a complete injustice, and it is critical that audiences of ANY age realize the need for films like this, as we should NEVER, EVER become weary or “worn out” of being reminded just how important compassion, care, and support for research and those facing this disease is. Period. Yet another admirable facet of this film is the verity in the film’s underlying themes, which only serve to further emphasize the cornerstone message. Addressing warning signs, the initial danger of trying to ignore them, then the anger, frustration, and sense of hopelessness that can set in upon diagnosis, finding constructive ways to cope and LIVE, the necessity of GENUINE care, empathy, and solace, and ensuring lasting legacy all get explored to unequivocally touching magnitudes here.
The film’s inevitable finale, amidst a WEALTH of tears, is one to be truly absorbed, contemplated, and ideally become a catalyst for finding means to aid in the ongoing research to discover a cure for ALS. Folks, you don’t even have to know someone or have had this touch your own life directly to examine ways to get involved. It’s not some cliché-ridden, medical industry filibustering to BE continually made aware of these realities, the imperative nature of the efforts to FIND cures, and to understand what it comes down to–PEOPLE’S LIVES and TO HELP OTHERS. The animation presented here is magical, so full of color, dynamic, and easily enjoyed wonder that easily engulfs you into the story at hand, both in happiness and heartache. Paired with an equally adept music score that accompanies the depicted emotive states to a “T”, it’s an all-around magnificent package that makes the film so amazing to take in.
Given we are talking animated film, it is all voice acting that is present, and it brings up still another quality of the film that was done well–no real dialogue. While the robots portrayed DO speak, their words the majority of the time aren’t actually comprehensible. HOWEVER, you can still very much glean what they’re saying through the use of basic observation, the particular situation each moment represents, and through body language and facial expressions the characters utilize. It’s honestly brilliant really, and somehow lends even more depth of need to pay attention to the story while being so enamored with the visuals along the way. Voice appearances are made here first by Cochran himself as LUKi, a robot so in adoration of all around him that when a diagnosis arrives that shatters his world, it becomes the most severe test of finding hope and help he’s had to take on.
Anjo Snijders is Theo, who appears to be LUKi’s best friend, finding himself in a position he’d never thought to expect, but takes it on in such an inspiring and heartwarming way without questioning, a true portrait of support that’s indispensable. Finally, Kendra Vernon is Neefa, another of the trio that makes up LUKi’s circle and likewise has her own ways to be there and help preserve the precious moments they all share together. So, in total, “LUKi & The Lights” is indie film excellence at its finest, unwilling to compromise its story’s purpose yet making it wholly relatable, a poignantly, strikingly relevant effort that should decidedly promote ALS awareness and the ongoing search for what will conquer it while also fostering more of what is needed in the meantime–HUMAN connection, sincere understanding, and authentic caring towards those battling a currently unstoppable monster.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
