Short Film Review “Top Shagger” Chastity challenged, inner struggles revealed, unanticipated conversations, and revelations make up this equally unexpected dramedy
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
The joys of being a teenager, even more so as boys (sadly in certain scenarios), for it seems to be the time where one’s establishing a reputation of being “the man” when it comes to women is usually at its peak. This also becomes paramount, unfortunately via peer pressure more often than not, to lose one’s innocence in order to do exactly this and gain what actually ends up being more notoriety than approval. But, what occurs when said teenager actually ISN’T too keen on what someone has in mind for him?
On this night, Jack (Ewan Guthrie) isn’t wanting anything crazy, but rather just to spend time connecting with his emotionally stagnant father, Dave (Paul Casar). However, Dave already has a plan in play….take Jack to a brothel to lose his virginity! With nervousness and unadulterated awkwardness hanging on him like a wet blanket, Jack’s experience with escort Megan (Kelsey Cooke) turns out to be anything but what he expected….yet precisely what he needed.
Next, my Mind:
I believe this has been stated before over time, but I shall reiterate it again. In the course of my ongoing trek through the indie film world, it has to be pointed out that, just like many a streaming T.V. show I take in, the British have a way with storytelling that is virtually second to none. Thanks to a large number of short films that I have gotten the opportunity to watch for many a year, the literal consistency in overall filmmaking quality in conjunction with taking themes and presenting them in a unique, magnificently impactful manner is legion. In itself, I cannot even say precisely WHY this is the case for me, but it simply IS. Therefore, you can already guess that this new twelve and a half minute short, arriving thanks to dual writers/directors Ken Abalos and Ash Meshkati, producer Oliver Cox, with executive producer Amanda Davies continues the aforementioned tradition in engaging, and most importantly, SURPRISING ways.
Given the project’s title, I would be remiss if I didn’t initially have that trepidation about what sexual insanity I was getting into, which would NOT have been my particular cup of Earl Grey tea mind you. HOWEVER, what I ended up actually witnessing through a narrative focused on a distinctly detached father whose idea of a birthday present for his teenage son reaching a specific key age is to take him to a brothel to lose his virtue and the subsequent path the evening takes was a completely opposite experience than I anticipated, visual content and story-wise, in the most awesome, stirring, accessible, and dare I say awareness-raising manners which foundationally and profoundly address the importance of parental bonds to a degree you don’t see coming. Add to this the sheer HUMOR of it all, both dark and light, and the human soul this film possesses shines forth in spades, ascending above what it’s title would suggest, eclipsing our preconceptions.
I firmly believe that the way in which this film utterly defies what you perceive it might be will be a key factor in its successes, which I genuinely hope it gains over time and has the chance to reach a growing audience. The level of creativity and boldness to come up with this narrative very much stands out, and is yet one more example of why the independent film scene remains THE home of artistry that so much of mainstream cinema has lost sight of as a whole. Here, the entire concept of what boils down to inner brokenness, hidden pain that’s actually shared, the walls we put up to try and avoid it, fractured mindsets about even being a man in a world that says “no emotions for you!” or “you don’t “feel” anything. That’s weakness”, plus even putting a more realistic outlook on being sexually clumsy and/or the accompanying insecurities it brings, along with wishing most of all to actually be with someone you LOVE, all of this gets explored here beautifully.
With the existing amazement solidly in place, the film’s progression is excellent enough, but the finale is one that makes it all even MORE worth the film’s abbreviated runtime. That latter fact is also why I feel like short film is a medium so tragically undervalued, because you can say a LOT and have MAXIMUM impact in short order when it’s done right, and this film assuredly hits the mark in that respect along with the rest already stated above. Guthrie is heartbreaking, inspired, and wholly credible through his role here as Jack, a teenage boy only wanting one thing for the key birthday he’s reached….spend quality time with his Dad. But, when said father has other ideas about how this evening should be spent, it causes Jack to really become desperate to steer things in another direction, which happens, but at first nowhere close to where he expected.
It’s such a portrait of anxiety, doubts, longing, and vulnerability that Guthrie effectively imbues the character with, and most certainly makes Jack the one we are first rooting for and then continue to do so through a noteworthy performance. Likewise, Casar channels an air of what we at first would concede is purely uncaring or at least domineering attitude that pierces you with its sense of both detachment and seeming non-concern for what his son wants via the role of Dave, Jack’s father who is clearly battling demons of his own even as he attempts to do something “good” for son Jack on his birthday. Constantly painting the picture of a true cad, will it possibly be revealed that Dave has his own veiled struggles that simply need to be released? Or, is he actually the closer-to-deadbeat, self-serving Dad he comes across as? Casar is honestly brilliant in his performance, because all he embodies is absolutely believable as this character.
Cooke is also a magnificent gem in this film, putting forth an aura of both steadfast, strong, wholly confident energy but then a wonderfully grounded sensitivity and encouraging heart through her role as Megan, the escort Jack chooses to do the deed with at the brothel. After an highly hilarious instance between them, how the night goes from there is what makes the narrative just magical. No spoiler zone here, so I can just say that Cooke will totally win you over in multiple ways thanks to her performance as Megan. Supporting turns are made by Shazia Mirza as Sheila, the owner of the brothel who sets the men up with their night’s entertainment, and Bryony Davies as Sarah, one of the other women offered to them when they arrive. Yes, it’s a small cast, but it’s large statements being conveyed by all involved, and that is a win as well.
So, in total, “Top Shagger” will take you on a wild then enlightening ride while delivering affecting messages about how we so often don’t know what truly happening within ourselves and others while also plumbing the realities of the need for release in a healthy, healing, and connective way that could end up altering our lives in striking style and cathartic liberation.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
