WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Isn’t conversation at the dinner table simply awesome? Here you have a time when family and/or friends have the opportunity to sit down together, shake off the trials of the day, and just enjoy pleasant recollections or the latest news occurring in each other’s lives. Yes, it is a truly blessed time. Yet, at this particular table, it has decidedly turned south. Peter (Timothy J. Cox) and Ellen (Rachel Lynn Jackson) are loving parents who only want the best for their 12-year old son, Mikey (Max Abe Plush). However, one issue seems to have become the point of contention–what religion will Mikey choose between a Catholic father and a Jewish mother? Oh yeah, this talk will go well.
Initially, the subject instigates somewhat friendly, mildly playful banter as the two parents begin listing off the advantages of each religion over the other, yet always trying to somehow make it apparent that it’s all up to Mikey to decide which he prefers. As the discussion continues, it escalates to well beyond fever pitch, as Peter and Ellen’s “opinions” of each other’s faiths begins to sour extremely, sinking into blatant and profane insults against each other and their beliefs. Meanwhile, as the chaos ensues, Mikey sits in utter shock and annoyance, hardly able to get a word in, and only wanting to make them both realize that yes, it is his choice to choose what he believes, even if it isn’t what his parents think it will be.
Next, my Mind:
Anyone who’s followed this reviewer for a good length of time knows how I think when it comes to modern comedies and moreso their execution of content. With director Lee Loechler’s and writer Yael Green’s 5+ minute short film effort, I once again find myself so deeply torn between the truly hilarious and wonderfully delivered diatribes initially offered up between Peter and Ellen, but then my shrinking back and wincing at a blatant change with the onset of crude dialogue and references during the film’s second half. With such an abbreviated runtime here, this sudden escalation in the material from innocently funny to crude really sidetracked my overall enjoyment of the film in total, which is unfortunate, but also based on personal tolerances.
The acting is superb for this style of comedy, though, no question. Dual credit shall be given first to character actor extraordinaire Timothy J. Cox and the equally riotous comedic performance of Rachel Lynn Jackson as Peter and Ellen, two very impassioned parents and deeply religious people who more than stand firm for their respective faiths, even when it comes down to heated blows between the two about what would be “best” for Mikey. Their facial expressions as things deteriorate and the insults fly is priceless, adding to the general humor. Plush gets the fantastic honor as Mikey of mainly sitting there in stunned, mostly silent, reprieve while the verbal lambasting in front of him proceeds. When he finally does speak at length, it put an admittedly funny exclamation point on the whole affair.
In summary, “Choosing Sides” is a smartly written, well-filmed effort that unabashedly takes on a subject matter which tends to lend itself openly to ridicule and often harsh debate. As mentioned above, this reviewer just wishes this comedic conflict didn’t have to end up being emphasized via such off-color elements to make its point.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
