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First, the Recap:
What is it that drives us forward? A common inquiry in general, yet does it not beg deeper contemplation if we are being honest with ourselves? The need to assess that which we pursue and what motivates us to do it is worth investing time and effort into, for it can reveal who we really are inside, become a mirror of our heart and soul, and even cause us to take risks and challenges many might not be willing to do should it lead to mockery or failure. Bernard Brash (Jimmie Fails) is seeking answers and personal victory in an attempt to find solace in the midst of an unthinkable circumstance that has shaken his world to its core. Believing the best avenue for this is to learn dance, it becomes both a challenging and cathartic journey that goes well beyond the surface in its significance.
Next, my Mind:
Parental bonds, the heartening commitment it represents, the creative and resolute lengths we’ll go to for our kids, plus the realities of resilience, perseverance, belief, heartache, questioning the world and why it’s the way it is, and the sadly far-too-consistent addressing of a necessary but still so potently polarizing issue in this country all get their presence made compellingly known through this 9-minute Oscar qualifying short film from writer/director Marshall Tyler, producers Efuru Flowers, Moira Griffin, and Jeremy Hartman, co-producers Benmio McCrea and Wayne Witherspoon, along with executive producer Nina Chaudry. Its ultimate message is one that’s seen its fair share of coverage among this year’s potential Oscar Short Film nominees, but it honestly makes perfect sense given the state of affairs in America lately that has been so blatantly, painfully, mind-numbingly constant on our minds due to the incidents which just keep happening.
While we might wish to feel that we DON’T want to BE reminded of it (you’ll fully understand once you watch the film), the narrative here that sees the stalwart efforts of a father looking to learn dancing as a form of hope, healing, and awareness-raising, the film’s truncated runtime therefore allows the story to unfold with the needed pacing and character-driven visual impact in order to have the influential, persuasive depth that it does in such short order while still delivering, as all well-executed efforts in this genre of cinema do, a complete and affecting piece of socially relevant filmmaking that deserves its chance to make a statement to the masses and ideally garner further attention to the primary subject it tackles so as to initiate deeper contemplation and action on the part of all of us as citizens of this great nation. Also, it simply speaks to the magnitude of adoration and devotion to our children that should ALWAYS be the norm, but we know unfortunately is not exclusively the case. This, too, needs to change.
Additionally, this critic felt another strength the film demonstrates is its means to communicate other viable and associated thematic ventures beyond the foundational premise, exploring what it is to push yourself into new territory, being willing to overcome self-doubt, find the ways to rise above those who do try to question your ability to accomplish something, and then boldly and fearlessly put it all out there for everyone to witness EVEN if it means you could still falter in the moment. The film illustrates this with its authoritative yet beautifully poignant finale where what some might see as one man’s instance of personal defeat manifests into a riveting moment of revelation and triumph as we learn about what has been driving him so profoundly. On top of THIS, there’s another part of the third act to cap the entire narrative off that is indisputably stirring, and it showcases the innate tenacity of the soul and spirit to conquer that which attempted to vanquish it.
Fails excels throughout this film thanks to his wonderful “everyman” demeanor and thoroughly believable emotional intensity that is both quiet yet commanding via the role of Bernard, an uncomplicated man whose sole purpose in life at the time is to learn to dance. His evident, controlled, calmly yet highly purposeful efforts to learn manage to sustain him through a myriad of moments that contain both success and certain shortcomings, but he still presses on, a secret, inward force propelling him forward regardless of what others might say. Then, as Bernard comes to the moment of taking on the reason behind all the labors, it turns into a time of both release and reconciliation of mindset while also being able to share with a multitude about the reasoning behind the dancing. It is a mix of inspiration and distress, but fundamentally filled with an unwavering, never-give-up attitude, and I absolutely enjoyed how Fails navigated the character through this kind of volatility with such understated balance.
Primary supporting roles come through Zion Rupert as Bernard’s son, Tamica Washington-Miller as Ms. Tamica, Bernard’s dance instructor, Ellie Grace Siler as a particularly, albeit briefly, obstinate dance class student who has a moment of contention with Bernard, and Erwin Washington as the dance school’s owner. Additional appearances are made by Lula Washington, Jaela Renee Anderson, Imani Dickens, Zoe Fowler, Sheyanne Hodge, Joel Muepo, Austin Phipps, Audrey Wherry, Josephine Carroll, Jaya Rodgers, Trinity Witherspoon, Efuru Flowers, Kenneth Miller, and Olga Silutoni. So, in total, “Slow Pulse” carries within its title both literal and figurative substance based on its undeniably thought-provoking, dramatically eloquent, and knowingly pertinent message that remains one so desperately needed despite the hardship of the actuality it represents. Still, may it cause us to appeal to our better angels to see the transformations in this nation that will finally allow us to put aside rampant violence and hate and re-embrace that which we should never lose hold on–our humanity and compassion towards one another.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
