WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Ah, the intervention. When a person has come to the end of themselves, to a place where the thing they’ve struggled with has so blatantly taken over that little choice remains but for those closest to gather others and confront the issue, it always leads to pleasant and beneficial results for all involved. Right? Having dealt with her spouse Nathan’s (Timothy J. Cox) alcoholism long enough, Hannah (Thea McCartan) has reached out to his sister Belle (Jake Lipman) as well as his best friend from college, Gary (Mark Grenier), to stage the necessary faceoff with him to rectify the situation. However, there’s just one slight issue revealed moments before Nathan comes stumbling in–Gary isn’t the Gary they intended.
Figuring out, awkwardly, that Gary is actually a Gary from Nathan’s workplace and not the Gary from college, circumstances do not allow him to vacate the spot he’s in before Nathan’s entrance to the house, filled with resentment and anger at realizing what his wife is trying to do, prevents him from doing so. Initially angry until realizing Gary is there and becoming overtly grateful his co-worker actually cares so much, Nathan and the group sit and begin sharing about their respective frustrations they have about Nathan and his drinking. Knowing there is no escape, Gary ends up put on the spot, having to share himself, which only makes his part in the proceedings absurdly embarrassing–and oddly opportune.
Next, my Mind:
NYC-based director Daniel Lofaso and writer Phoebe Torres deliver a beautifully hilarious, freshly different take on mistaken identity and the entire concept of interventions with this straight-forward 5-minute short film. Relying completely on the comedic timing and mannerisms of an excellent cast combined with intelligent dialogue and smart overall execution, the narrative whisks by with solid pacing and wonderfully enacted characters, whose interactions given the premise truly do make the film. Smooth camerawork follows the events with steady precision as well.
Character actor extraordinaire Cox yet again shines brightly as the agitated Nathan, whose whole angered demeanor and resistant attitude to everything going on softens upon thinking Gary is actually there intentionally and with genuine concern. Cox is a master at apropos facial expressions and delivery of lines, plus he plays so well off the other actors, which adds to the laughs invoked by his performance. Grenier is priceless as Gary, a poor sap stuck in a truly unforeseen and unwanted position as it is, only to then forced to become a larger part of the discussion, then finding a chance to let his own feelings be known with totally laugh-inducing results. The two together is a utter stitch.
McCartan and Lipman bring their own excellent level of talent and wittiness to the show as Nathan’s longsuffering wife and well-intended sister respectively. Their own mutual realization about who Gary is moments before things go south is quite funny, moreso when they also realize they can utilize him and the reaction he brings out in Nathan for the ultimate purposes they sought in the first place. Poor Gary. In total, “Gary From Accounting” is a jocular, waggish little indie comedy that is more than worthy of taking 5 minutes to watch and enjoy.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
