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First, the Recap:
Don’t you just RELISH diplomacy? Statecraft. Politics. I mean, when it comes to keeping up foreign relations (Maverick did it well in “Top Gun” originally did he not?), only the best envoys travel to the host country’s majestic domiciles to conduct business with that nation’s top negotiators who represent the higher-ups, ALL of whom have the absolute discretion, honesty, and selfless intent to ensure everyone comes out happy–what could POSSIBLY go wrong?? It is the year 1865, and in the palatial residence of Britain’s Prime Minister, there is a meeting of the minds underway via trade talks between the U.K. and France, the former represented by the PM’s most trusted right hand, Mr. Pageant (Joseph Marcell), and the latter’s Trade Ambassador, Godefroi (Ryan Gage). Things seem to be going swimmingly until a ruckus occurs that reveals a not-so-good event which in turn creates an escalating battle for who gets the blame–and everything ELSE those involved start wanting for their silence!
Next, my Mind:
The sincere art of the deal gets the hilariously over-the-top, entertainingly refreshing, beautifully executed exercise-in-the-absurd treatment and then some thanks to this absolutely riotous 12-minute Oscar and BAFTA qualifying short film from writer/director Isher Sahota, producer Jamie MacDonald, and executive producers Lisa Foo, Ruaridh MacDonald, and Onkar Sahota that sees an unanticipated hitch in trade talks between countries happen and the ensuing insanity that manifests when those who are a part of it decide it’s time to play a serious game of CYA. Honestly, the first thing I personally love about this is that I feel like there would have been a day and age in the awards-level cinematic universe where a flat-out zany, albeit intelligently written, comedic effort such as this would not have in any form garnered consideration for the top tier accolades as this project is currently up for. It’s a fantastic boost for not just comedy getting recognized in this manner more, but SHORT FILM being made more prevalent and RELEVENT as it should be.
The narrative weaves a hysterical romp that takes us down the primrose path of dealing with abrupt surprise, comedic errors, and the constantly escalating deconstruction of common sense and any logical means of self-preservation all in the name of personal greed, political maneuvering, and power vacuums, topping it all off with some good old fashioned thematic explorations of bribery, ambition, blackmail, and scandals. It’s already a well-established given that British humor is oft focused on satirically (whether playfully or scathingly) poking fun at their own governmental system, much less that politics around the world seems consistently rife (FAR more than it SHOULD, mind you) with corruption, abuse of authority, poor decision-making, mudslinging, etc. and how this brilliantly written yet utterly straightforward short film manages to address it ALL with such astute jocularity, in only twelve minutes??!! THAT, to me, is just plain awesome.
Additionally, the equally adept manner in which the situation we see depicted, delivering terrifically fun and intentionally ridiculous twists and turns in the character’s interactions as more and more panic develops (then runs rampant) amongst the ultimate trio of individuals caught up in the conundrum that could break their respective nations, serves as the perfect set-up to the effort’s sublime finale that is nothing short of genius in exhibiting magnificently that the web of lies being portrayed isn’t actually coming to an end–it’s just beginning. Talk about an illustration of just what kind of holes we as people can dig for ourselves when just telling the TRUTH, even when it’s awkward, difficult, and admittedly assured to cause some issues, could have avoided SO much greater pain and suffering we end up experiencing in choosing the wide road as opposed to the narrow path. Once more, this is all moot in that this film is MEANT to be a portrait of complete loss of control and the off-the-wall hijinks that subsequently come about. It’s an unmitigated RIOT!
It’s been a long, lucrative journey for Marcell since playing the seemingly permanently jaded yet (in heart and so many actions) unconditionally supportive, even loving, butler Geoffrey in the epic 1990’s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, and here he gets the opportunity to channel that overall character and demeanor, but take it to an entirely different and even more uproarious level via his lead role as Mr. Pageant, the British PM’s stalwart, unwavering, and quite devious right-hand man. About to complete trade negotiations with France’s envoy, the deal takes a radical shift when an event occurs that puts everyone into question, relations with France in jeopardy, and each person’s fight or flight response into full gear, with Mr. Pageant wasting no time demonstrating why he is a master of manipulating things to his advantage. Even when this starts NOT to become the case, watching the character still find ways to come out on top is inventive and a stitch to witness, all thanks to Marcell who chews up scenery with the high skills of the acting veteran he is while simply providing us with all-out laughs at his character’s mastery of machinations where everyone MIGHT actually come out a winner. A fantastic performance throughout by Marcell.
Now let’s be clear, Gage is NO slouch in the acting department here folks, and he exemplifies this with purposefully snarky, ego-driven attitude via his turn as Godefroi, the French Trade Ambassador tasked with closing the business arrangements with Britain, despite his evident hesitations in not being able to speak directly with the PM but rather his extended “voice” through Mr. Pageant. Even as the reluctance gives way to signing the agreement, events turn sour with impunity when an unanticipated occurrence shakes the house and throws everyone into survival mode, with Godefroi initially leading the way in championing the scheming and demanding in order to preserve himself, much to Mr. Pageant’s disconcert and growing agitation. But, even as Godefroi believes he’s finally gained the upper hand in the affair, another factor gets introduced that could put him from winner to whipping boy faster than one could say “Oh, merde!!” It’s a grand and witty performance Gage provides, and one could surmise just how much he relished the part.
The primary co-starring turn arrives from Sharon Rooney as the home’s main chambermaid Rosiland who really becomes the catalyst for everything to fall apart even as SHE then comes to the distinct realization that being the fall gal for what’s transpired is NOT something she’s willing to accept. Soon, throwing her own demands into the mix, it causes the trio to become even more deceitful and vexing towards each other, making us wonder if ANYONE will be “clean” by the end. It’s a superb performance by Rooney who stands her ground with total confidence and comedic timing with Marcell and Gage, and it is a monumental hoot to watch her navigate her character’s predicament. Other supporting turns arrive from Frances Macdonald as the PM’s wife who comes home to what will become an entirely new wave of lies, Tim McKay as a footman, and Oonagh McKay as another chambermaid.
So, in total, “Goodnight Henry” is a breath of fabulously refreshing, intelligently farcical, beautifully executed, wryly relevant, and comedically adept air that more than, in this critic’s mind, worthily places it in the company of awards consideration company it finds itself in contention with come December 21st. I think it’s also because with so much, it feels like anyway, of comedic efforts being centered on the cruder/shock value-driven bend in the last decade and some, it’s just nice to be treated to some uncomplicated, goofy silliness to sit back and just have JOY in. Because with the state of this world currently, we DEFINITELY need to have MANY more opportunities to SMILE and LAUGH.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
The Prime Minister should certainly be up for rear of the year