WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Convincing ourselves that something we’ve directly experienced seems to hold no challenges whatsoever as, after all, it’s our personal circumstances that dictate the reality we know. However, trying to make others believe in what we have encountered can be a whole different ball of wax, especially when it comes to things that are, shall we say, not exactly run-of-the-mill exploits. But, even in spite of this, does that make it any less truthful? Reference exhibit one, a man named Tim (Patrick McElroy), who’s rather eccentric, a mite nerdy, prone to speak in a voice infused with borderline whiny undertones, and who has a very specific event he’s repeatedly undergone that causes, well, pause among most folks–he’s been abducted by aliens. A lot.
More than eager to share aplenty about his wondrous adventures with these space-based out-of-towners, Tim takes the opportunity to do so with a documentary film crew as he expounds on the occurrences with evident joy and enthusiasm, filled to overflowing with absolute belief in it all. Yet, for all the convictions he has about his alien visits and what they mean to him and the small group of others he meets with of like mind like his pal Matthew (Jesse Kruger), there are others who don’t share in his giddiness, including his sister Caroline (Lauren Bair) and brother Steve (Huntington Daly), who believe Tim’s “encounters” are only a fictional coping mechanism. But, skepticism is easy, and truth can be much more real than we’d ever conceive.
Next, my Mind:
Innocently charming, purposefully amusing, and sometimes straight up silly, all the while managing to carry some worthy life lessons within its grander comedic bend, this 15-minute short film effort from director/producer/editor Scott Simerly, Jr. and writer/producer/actor McElroy certainly wears its chuckles with full intentionality, eliciting giggles aplenty fueled by the notion of those who’ve claimed alien abduction and the obsession with extraterrestrial life it’s garnered within them. All the stories we’ve heard, for generations it seems like, about “Area 51” or the countless worldwide sightings of UFOs, alien entities, et al, I always tend to find it quite fulfilling to see films poke totally harmless fun at the sheer level of fixation so many invest in believing and seeking it all out. It truly appears crazy, even with the numbers crying alien, that so few have ultimately seen (much less experienced directly–MULTIPLE times!) these otherworldly phenomenon and not more of us.
Yet, can this not be said, in general, about so many of the journeys and things we encounter in our lives that do happen to become unique to just us or only a small group of people? Does that make any of what we’ve known any less true just because “the masses” have not had similar events or circumstances occur? The film does a really solid job addressing this while maintaining a humorous tone, but successfully doesn’t negate the importance of underlying concepts like acceptance, steadfast belief, engaging with those of like mind and experience, and standing one’s ground for said beliefs even in the face of totally overt incredulity. Yes, having proof sometimes of certain exploits is necessary, and to NOT be able to produce anything of that nature can often definitively put the kibosh on what is being conveyed as truth or real. Yet even then, as the film wonderfully chooses to depict in its surprisingly evocative finale, there will always be things we have to take on faith instead of automatically dismissing it and those who believe in it as “nuts”, “delusional”, or just plain ignorant.
The narrative’s very uncomplicated, simplistic approach as a whole very much serves its cause well here, because we’re not expecting high-level, bury-your-brain-in-philosophical-debate material. Rather, the story centers plain and clear on one man’s heartfelt convictions about what he has confronted while attempting to convince the documentary crew, as well as a pair of highly dubious siblings, that what he knows is without a doubt tangible and ongoing, granted while also showcasing that he IS a bit of a sci-fi nerd along the way and that his background (on a more serious note, honestly) MIGHT call into question his actions and mentality. Visually the film is likewise accessible and undemanding, again given the nature of the film’s execution and intent. There is one particular moment of special effects that works well enough for what it’s needed for in the moment, and definitely serves to put an solidly presented exclamation point on everything. The music score is appropriately “science-fictiony” as well.
McElroy takes on quite a delightful demeanor and cheeky personality in his role as Tim, a regular guy who’s had, apparently, a multitude of rather interesting adventures involving far out-of-town guests in his lifetime so far, which he continues to have with frequency. Sharing with utter openness yet not in TOO much detail about these exploits, he uses it all as a springboard to tell about the other people he associates with that have had like experiences, while clearly illustrating his sci-fi-based mindset via all the alien-related items he maintains possession of, all of which, of course, are based on fictional entities. Undaunted, his only hiccup seems to come at the hands and words of his brother and sister, who have their own very strong ideas about why Tim seeks out aliens and the stories he holds onto, much to Tim’s consternation and frustration. It only makes what ultimately occurs to him more real and “HA! I’ll show you!”. Throughout, McElroy’s delivery, with a hilariously but intentionally over-exaggerated whiny voice style, is spot on and offers total entertainment from start to finish.
Supporting turns arrive from Bair and Daly as Tim’s siblings Caroline and Steve, who have more than their fair share of doubts and hesitations about the actuality Tim resides in, especially in the wake of a particular family event that would have to have had a huge impact on them all and in turn how they all chose to cope with it. They do their level best it seems to bring Tim out of what they think is a world of disillusionment, but face backlash from Tim because of it. It’s a brief amount of screen time, but Bair and Daly make the most of it in offering the more straightforward dramatic elements found in the film. The other primary supporting appearance is made by Kruger as one of Tim’s few friends, Matthew, who virtually idolizes Tim and his vast knowledge of aliens thanks to all the interactions he’s had with them. Is it a longing for attention, a need for acceptance, a cry for help, or an actual, fact-based reality being pursued, all of these questions and more could be extrapolated from “Alien Guy Tim”. Therefore, in total, with its wittiness and eccentricities on its sleeve, this is a fun little slice of indie filmmaking meant to cheer, happily divert, and totally engage, allowing us all to find a way to escape this planet for a quick spell, even if it IS all in our minds. Then again–is it?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
