WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
“I had it, but then it just disappeared!” Have you ever said this before when if comes to a concept you’re looking to make real? When being the author of anything creative, regardless of the medium being employed, it is one of the most frustrating elements to encounter, especially when the weight or content of said concept was particularly special. What if, however, you were able to be whisked away into another place where it all might be recovered while learning about what’s most important in regaining that which was lost? A writer (Brie Larson) suddenly finds herself in this exact predicament but is then transported to a magical place where she runs into an unanticipated host (Dusty Peak) that guides her through a journey of rediscovery.
Next, my Mind:
Truthfully, I find it decidedly amusing that when it comes to anything associated with Disney’s name or brand attached to it it’s a very love or hate relationship with the masses. Now, mind you, I too have my likes and dislikes when we’re talking about The Mouse House and, for the sake of this review, the films they come out with. The appeal is very often a mix of either being generated for a specifically targeted audience or otherwise wide appeal, young and old, man or woman, etc. So, when I came upon the opportunity to screen this new 9-minute live action Oscar qualifying short film from the entertainment juggernaut, writer/director/producer Elijah Allan-Blitz, producer/actress Brie Larson, plus executive producers Justin Springer and Jason Baum, admittedly it grabbed my attention, with guarded but still relatively high expectations in tow. What I found WAS precisely what I would have anticipated–warm, feel-good, life-lesson providing, uncomplicated, ultimately heartstring-tugging, mind-soothing filmmaking and content.
This time we venture into the always present realms of the fantastical via a narrative that sees an intentionally isolated Writer who’s looking for that next big concept to break forth and a new literary success to emerge for her until she hits that frustrating mental block, forfeiting the direction she wanted to go, which suddenly takes her on a wistful excursion to relearn and restore what she feels she’s lost. The magical world in which we’re taken to soon reveals itself to be the landscape of the mind, filled with things dreamed of and wished for, a portrait of both the past and the present, but also where sometimes ideas that we’ve misplaced or even forgotten are still in existence, biding their time until found again and utilized as they were intended. I personally enjoyed the notion of how to enter this other reality, one must become something else as well, here illustrated as a beam of light, and it further cements the grander scope of how the proverbial “light bulb” of creativity and imagination so often manifests then comes to fruition.
So, through personal transformation, and how the finale presented here so deftly, neatly, and beautifully puts into place, do we absorb the fundamental thematic gist of the entire film–to remind us that we need to strive NOT to lose our sense of wonder, innovation, artistry, or individuality in life, as if we were to do so, we then watch our uniqueness, talents, and chances to employ our gifts to impact the world around us vanish as well. This critic more than feels that’s the LAST thing we need in a world currently in the midst of such blatant polarization on a myriad of levels. Additionally, it also strengthens the perspective that we used to BELIEVE what we imagined, and so again, when the film’s ending arrives, it is relatable and absolutely filled with the stirring emotion that this simple yet potent narrative should bring about, innocent and charming, but REAL and applicable. Also, in traditional and expertly executed Disney fashion, the music score is tailored to grab your sentiments and amplify them so you cannot help but FEEL all of it.
I have been a fan of Larson ever since two particular indie gems I first witnessed her in, 2013’s “Short Term 12” and 2015’s exquisite “Room”, before she then exploded into larger industry efforts like “Kong: Skull Island” and some little film called “Captain Marvel” along with the subsequent appearances in the Marvel Universe’s “Avengers” projects. Therefore, having also heard mixed (even scathing) opinions from some of Hollywood’s bigger actors about doing short film projects, I found it definitively fascinating to see Larson was involved with this small but potential Oscar nominee (even in spite of it being directed by her current beau) and was not at all surprised that she pulls it off with flying colors. Here, she plays The Writer, a woman on the verge of newly forming ideas that unexpectedly get “lost” from her thoughts, initiating a transfiguration for her into a beam of light that finds itself hosted by a small (yet strangely familiar) girl who guides her back to the places she need to go in order to recollect the awe of vision and retaining it.
As stated earlier, it’s a very basic overall tale, but thanks to Larson (both “in person” and even as the beam of light) infuses the character with a totally viable, accessible, enjoyable demeanor that adeptly befits what we’re seeing, listening to, and taking in. I would like to believe it’s one of those characters that actually represents what Larson is actually like in person: caring, a dreamer, still willing to grow, and be reminded of what’s most important NOT to lose grasp of in life. Folks, it really needs to be understood that sure, this isn’t in itself, necessarily one of Larson’s most EPIC performances, but it likewise isn’t remotely unworthy of notice, as for me, it takes an actor of expanding range and goals to be able to do a tiny project like this, still enjoy it, and know it WILL have an impact for the better on people. THAT is what’s needed these days, and Larson delivers that here with affecting ease and grace.
The primary supporting turn arrives from Dusty Peak as the little girl that ushers Larson’s character through her journey in the world of imagination. I actually read a review that virtually slammed Peak for her awkwardness in delivering lines. I mean, COME ON, people. I know there’s a wealth of unbelievably talented, even REALLY young kids out there in film that are acting with a maturity well beyond their years, but let’s enjoy the charm and adorableness of them ALL, no matter what, as there’s something so endearing about it. Peak does a perfectly, adorably solid job here. Period. So, in total, “Remembering” is Disney implementing the formula they’ve relied on for decades–BECAUSE IT WORKS–and why alter course from something that isn’t broken. Yes, they’ve offered other styles of “shorts” that may be better than this, but yet, this one accomplishes precisely what this critic wholly believes it was meant to–INSPIRE.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
ALL PHOTOS: Photos courtesy of StudioLAB Experiences Inc. © 2022 StudioLAB Experiences Inc.
