WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
As a kid, did you ever have that notion to “get back” at authority? No, no, you never experienced that, did you? When the principal of your school called you into his office, advised that “unavoidable” changes were coming in association with an area of your participation, expertise, and passion, you just sat there and accepted it. Well, maybe you did, but for Prichard Hall School student David Burroughs (Noah Bailey), the decision made by Dr. Bradley (Timothy J. Cox) regarding discontinuation of the school’s newspaper David runs in favor of a blog doesn’t exactly sit well. Seeing that fighting against it initially won’t pass muster, David decides it’s time to take matters into his own, “let’s save my school paper” plan.
First trying to rope in two people he trusts, sports writer Charlotte (Ansley Berg) and best friend Owens (Isaiah Lapierre), David hatches a scheme to create a story so amazing within the school, that it alone will be the key to allowing the paper to survive and prevent its replacement by an online substitute. Of course, did anyone check whether David’s story would actually be true? Once he fires the first shot via scandalizing books in the school library, David’s meteoric rise in the paper’s popularity sends him down a road filled with further untruths, and soon finds himself being swallowed up by them, despite his apparent “success”. David Burroughs wanted to be remembered, but are the consequences worth it?
Next, my Mind:
First time writer/director Zachary Lapierre, who also acted as sound mixer/supervisor and music supervisor for the project, provides an uncomplicated and unambiguous 16 minute short film effort which addresses concepts from childhood about popularity, rebellion against teachers and their authority, friendships, and the price that can be paid for lies. The cinematography is smooth and precise, the music plays well in the context of the narrative and timeframe it takes place within, and it all flows together within the film’s briskly-paced foundations. Again, it is the exercise of simplicity here that ultimately works, providing that oft refreshing taste of something you don’t actually have to sit and contemplate deeply, but rather just ease back and be entertained by. Plus, there is a moral to boot.
In his newest short film effort, continually excellent character actor Timothy J. Cox brings his expertise once again in playing authority figure, Dr. Bradley. There’s such a blatant genuineness to the roles Cox takes, and it comes through in the attitude and sincerity of this character without question. Bailey is quite effective as David, exuding an almost “Napoleon Dynamite” meets “Ferris Bueller” vibe, trying to not be the odd kid out, having the intelligence to come up with an appropriate plan, but then not truly thinking at all about the ramifications of his actions. Suitable turns are provided by Berg and Lapierre as David’s friends who may or may not totally support what he’s unilaterally doing. Overall, “Dirty Books” is a fun, small slice of light morality play that continues to show this reviewer the value of independent film and the platform it provided for filmmakers.
As always, this is all for you consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
