WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
What doesn’t belong to you should never, therefore, come into or remain in your possession. When it comes to objects of particular value, symbols of heritage and legacy, this rule applies even moreso. Yet, there are those who harbor secrets and maintain control over them for decades–at least, until someone comes calling. Infamous exotic dancer and courtesan Mati Hari (Debra Leigh Siegel) awaits her fate at the hands of a French firing squad, relegated to her jail cell until such time as sentence will be carried out. With her is cellmate Lydia Keegan (Stacey Forbes Iwanicki) into whose hands Mati Hari passes a precious signet ring, beseeching Lydia to return it to its owner post escape, Mati Hari’s sister.
Time passes and forwards to present day where Prof. Alec Keegan (David S. Hopcroft) concludes his lecture on the history of Mati Hari to a group of students. After fielding questions about his talk, and revealing his familial relationship to Lydia, further questions are halted when the subject of the highly valuable ring arise. Preparing to leave, Keegan is confronted by another of the students, Peter Zelle (Nicholas Magrey), and after the two talk, there are new revelations brought to light that end up actually unburdening both men. Inviting Peter to his home, much to the consternation and anger of his wife Abigail (Maureen Vlaco) and son Michael (Curtis Reid), it’s only a matter of time before they discover the price some secrets cost.
Next, my Mind:
Steeped in its primary thematic message about consequences incurred when trying to hide from sins past and present, director/cinematographer/editor Jeffrey Buchbinder’s short film effort puts one whopper of a punch to the notion in regaling the viewer with a tale founded on one of history’s most notorious figures and an inheritance passed along in confidence that never found its rightful path home. It also paints the vivid reality that even in taking the amount of time for events then to have their final ramifications in the now, those repercussions still occurred, making it a cautionary narrative to great extent. The unassuming buildup to the finale works quite effectively here, and is anchored by solid writing to boot.
Truthfully, the complete value and success of this effort lies strongly in the myriad of credible and well-founded performances provided by an excellent ensemble cast. From the very start with Siegel and Iwanicki’s Mati Hari and Lydia Keegan’s set-up of the entire plot’s ultimate focus, to Hopcroft’s portrayal of Prof. Keegan as a man knowingly perpetuating a lie and avoiding its detection for decades, yet relieved to let it all out when Magrey’s Zelle finally has opportunity to face him and reveal his role to play in a hunt for a birthright owed to his family. Final pieces are put in play with Vlaco’s Abigail and Reid’s Michael, Hopcroft’s devoted wife and son, who won’t settle to just let things no longer concealed hinder the possibilities represented by them and the gain it could mean.
Overall, “The Gift Of Fate” will stand as yet another lesson in decisions being made for one’s own benefit coming back to haunt you later on, as well as proving to be an additional winning indie effort from Buchbinder and company at Shoot The Moon Films.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
