Short Film Review “With Arms Raised” A car ride, conversation, what we’ve experienced, personal judgements, and what we resort to is explored with both enigmatic then striking impact
WATCH THE FILM BELOW:
First, the Recap:
“And I think to myself….what a wonderful world”. Louis Armstrong sang about this notion via his classic 1967 song, an ode to witnessing elements of our life that should be but some reminders of exactly what that concluding line of each verse indicates. Now we see our contemporary realities and, just being honest, it makes a sentiment like this seem SO overtly far away….perhaps even impossible….to accept or believe could be. It sounds harsh, but again, so much of what is occurring speaks not to beauty, but bedlam.
It is just another typical ride share pick up on just another typical day for a driver (Jonathen Wallace) and now for his current fare, the new passenger (Andrew Garrett) in the back seat. As the journey to the passenger’s destination commences, it begins innocently enough with random chit chat. However, as the ride goes further on, talk turns to some mild then increasingly heated venting of political and societal frustrations by the passenger, building to a point of no return….and to an ending one of them never saw coming.
Next, my Mind:
Idle talk, pent up resentments boiling over, shared trauma, necessary but volatile subjects, and jilted perspectives on the entirety of everything happening within what seems to be a crumbling sense of safety, knowing what’s true and what’s not, and the ability to simply LIVE without having concerns for the future all take center stage via this ten and a half minute short film from writer/director/producer Jon Cvack and producer Brittany White. A blunt force, high impact, jarringly effective glimpse into the state of our polarized union, this effort forms the kind of awareness -raising notice and actuality that, whether we like it or not, NEEDS to be addressed, a reminder of just how fractured we are as a nation AND as the world at large, and the deepest requisite desperation to see genuine solutions come about that can help us heal, re-unify, and discover the means again for us to treat each other as human beings again.
Unflinching in this very purpose, the narrative follows what should be the most overall mundane of circumstances…a ride share and the subsequent conversations being had between driver and his passenger…that take a sudden and tense upsurge in fervency when certain topics arise that are conspicuously agitating, primarily with the passenger, could be leading to something even more ominous. The ambiance that is created here is masterfully executed, feeding into precisely what is indicated in that aforementioned synopses above, with the combination of consistently character-centric camera focus, varying imagery associated with it that provides context both blatant and veiled, the black and white palette as opposed to color adds another layer to the film’s aesthetic and tonal directions, and just the intelligently written dialogue between the two men that skillfully guides you through this friendly then uneasy atmosphere.
Thematically here, it is adeptly prolific throughout the film’s course that current events formulate the gist of it all, venturing into evocative (and, frankly, provocative) realms with touches on everything from homelessness, sanctuary cities, personal and national trauma, the sheer magnitude of division and divisiveness between people racially and politically, the blatant absence of kindness and compassion, total loss of belief and faith in government leadership, and sinking into a state of “what can you do??”-infused hopelessness all play a part. Yes, it IS quite demoralizing when it comes down to it, and to say the least, the film’s finale will just flat out shock you, even IF you feel you already glean SOMETHING fearful and unsettling is potentially coming your way while viewing. Folks, the saddest fact is that this film is a relevant, authentic, no-holds-barred portrait of America right now. Therefore, what are we going to do to CHANGE it for the BETTER???
As to a cast of two, we begin with Wallace in his role as The Driver, a regular Joe trying to make a living, doing what he can to ensure life can keep moving forward, even as we learn that everything hasn’t been easy in the modern social climate in Chicago. On this particular day, after picking up his newest ride share client, he makes small talk to pass the time. Finding that his passenger is engaged with even the smallest then larger subjects as their shared journey progresses, it soon becomes more than apparent that his client might be a little TOO spirited in his feelings on things than The Driver is comfortable with. As he endeavors to keep things amicable and calm, which to some extent he’s successful with, will everything still end up taking a turn for the unanticipated? Wallace is perfectly controlled in his conveying of The Driver’s mild manner that still hides his own anxieties, exuding a cautious yet firm attitude that wins the day….or does it?
It’s a great and understated performance that lends itself excellently for the character Wallace is playing. In a similar fashion, Garrett brings his own degrees of muted then more palpable intensity to his role as The Passenger, an initially unassuming man who ends up in this specific Driver’s vehicle for his destination. Even as the Driver initiates the somewhat “standard” banter between them, The Passenger gradually starts to tackle more weighty topics that he’s dissatisfied and heated about, to which The Driver finds much to agree with. The conversation remains civil, yet The Passenger’s overall demeanor steadily starts showing a more quietly menacing change, to The Driver’s minor then more obvious disconcert. Still maintaining his general composure, The Passenger is also fidgeting around with something, which may or may not be a key factor in events to come that will forever alter The Driver’s viewpoint of their talks.
Garrett does a fantastic job embodying this volatility of mind and speech, not letting the acutely emotional gravity truly boil over, but instead allowing that more uneasy and frightening aura to linger with subdued purpose. Another great performance that works so beautifully in tandem with Wallace. Supporting turns arrive from Remington Brimmer, Nick Mathews (voice only), and Jon Cvack (voice only). So, in total, “With Arms Raised” first utilizes its namesake AND poster image to smartly impart and actively place multiple meanings into play, then catapults us into a stirring yet disturbing study of human interaction and radical mindsets with varying levels of opinion, genuine and misguided faith, resolute words, and rationalized actions. It is an unapologetic view of the current arena that is America’s, and the world’s, grander condition. The question is….can and will we have the fortitude to BE reminded and come together to see necessary alterations be made real for the betterment of ALL? This remains to be seen. We pray and hope.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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