Published in: Short Film Reviews

Short Film Review “Duality”

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: July 25, 2018

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

The reverberations and repercussions of torment, heartbreak, and grief. Upon reflecting about any situation that has caused us to experience such harsh, unforgiving conditions, how we might choose to move forward from it all can so greatly vary. When it comes to the aftermath of physical and mental abuse, how much harder is it to process and live with the pain? For two young girls named Mary (Adelai Henderson-Garcia) and Jane (Lauren Elizabeth), the ugly realities of such abhorrent suffering remain potent memories and guiding forces that have since shaped them into the women they have become. Connected by a deep personal bond, it becomes evident that their choices in how to manage this transition into adulthood have taken decidedly different turns.

For Jane (Elle Jae Stewart), it is an apartment filled with the tools of her trade, a profession being in a position to enforce a certain sense of order, to be more directly able to potentially save others from the kind of childhood she had, while also stopping those that would perpetrate such evil. Then there is Mary (Christina Marie Karis), who has fled to the streets, rickety, uneven, wobbly metal shopping cart filled with random personal treasures/junk and all. It’s a life filled with an ever-fluctuating mix of seemingly innocent, euphoric highs and just as powerfully crushing lows. As both strive to make the most of their own worlds, there is a greater intent in play between them where their actualities might collide anew.

Next, my Mind:

Emotions run high, convictions run deep, and the ultimate beauty of human connection in rising from despair and hopelessness to redemption and newfound assurance of a brighter future all come together with a sobering yet inspired passion and impactful purpose in co-writer/director/producer Andrew Lloyd Preston’s nine and a half minute short film effort.  An ode to the depths we can sink to, the violence we can initiate against others, the hurt that scars our spirit in its wake, and the light of true, unconditional, desperate, necessary devotion to those we cherish and love, the film’s brisk pace only aids in keeping the viewer completely immersed and acutely invested in two formerly abused children’s worlds and the like yet uniquely set apart life journeys they embark on as adults, all culminating in a gorgeously orchestrated finale that had this reviewer in tears. In such a dark age as we are residing in currently, it is narratives like this that I always feel are so extremely needed in order to showcase how these two women, whose lives intersected already in shared anguish, are drawn apart into their own chosen means of coping, then inexorably drawn back by the kind of steadfast relationship we most likely take for granted more often than not, even while dealing with their own personal demons and present challenges. The visual presentation is clear and crisp, the imagery the primary storyteller here, with dialogue only utilized when absolutely needed, which again makes a strong overall impression.

Stewart delivers an intense, fervent performance here in her role as Jane, a woman driven by the ghosts of her own past into a place where we glean she has decided she can make a difference, help others, and find an outlet for all the inner mourning left from a cruel childhood. Totally encompassed by a singular goal that we can tell has been ongoing for a while now, Jane illustrates a dogged fortitude to achieve what she’s purposed to do, overcoming any obstacles, refusing to rest until it all works itself out. Throughout the film, Stewart embodies this tenacity with a realistic fire that lends such weight to the character. Likewise, Karis totally shines with an almost haunting, yet definitively understated, fierceness hidden beneath a mostly calm exterior in playing Mary, who, like Jane, endured the unimaginable as a child and now who carries herself with the innocuousness of one while also battling severe episodes of high anxiety and flat out fear when confronted by specific circumstances, especially trying to survive on the streets. The way she views the reality around her is testament to her own chosen escape from the past, and watching Karis enact these overt changes in emotional dynamics is so believable and stirring. Primary supporting turns are present here from Preston as a local store clerk and JoJo Elias as a restaurant waiter, along with additional appearances from Gregory Blanche and a small but pivotal turn from Marcus Henderson.

In total, “Duality” stands as another amazing example of indie film magic, filled with a humanity that we all need to embrace, appreciate, adhere to, and encourage in one another as often as possible.  There’s already too much darkness, and a story such as this deftly illustrates there IS light able to dispel it, bring healing, and serve as a reminder that love can truly overcome the past and show the way to that better tomorrow we all long to see.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.  Until next time, thank you for reading!