WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Fortuitous circumstances. Those moments where, when unfolding events seem to have no truly positive resolution, an unforeseen occurrence happens that changes everything for the better. Suddenly, your own problems seem far away, and even a new lease on life itself can be experienced. And it is one such serendipitous encounter that is about to disclose its existence to a man, Charlie (Michael Voight), whose come to the end of himself–so much so, that ending his anguish can only be accomplished via a self-inflicted demise. Stumbling across a shore side at length, taking a final, impassioned phone call, a choice is made upon viewing a massive bridge ahead and its isolated underbelly to escape notice and life.
Almost to the brink, a sudden and strange sound strikes his ears, finally causing Charlie to turn around, stand up, and walk a few yards away to find a small, mysterious looking wooden box…with a familiar name written on it. Curiously looking it over and eventually opening its now untied lid, the surprising contents cause Charlie to back away in confusion, dumbfounded at what he has just witnessed. Yet, after a pause to take in the incident, he takes the box, full of a still-in-shock purpose, and renewed vigor to stay alive. The beauty of his newfound state of being alive unfurls, as a wife (Mary Ann Axelsen) and son (Remy Rich) enter the picture, parts of a full and fulfilled life, capped with a visit to an old friend that started it all.
Next, my Mind:
As many of us know, suicide is an all too harsh reality in the world, and that sense of absolute hopelessness is nothing to treat lightly. Through film, this theme has been tackled a multitude of times, but ideally, to showcase there are ways to get help and to prevent this tragic loss of life. In writer/director Kris Roselli’s 16-minute short film, “I Was There”, it is very effectively accomplished, but with the unique addition of fantasy elements to accompany it. And it is in this fluid execution of story that the power in the message presented is given room to shine. Combined with the absence of dialogue, unobtrusive cinematography, and sincere delivery, the total package simply, profoundly endures.
Voight’s look and performance is ideal in playing the role of Charlie, cohesively melding the character from a soul in desperation to be relieved of the apparent burdens beyond help, to a stunned and shaken man provided a second chance at life by the most odd and extraordinary of sources. Watching his transformation is inspiring and leads to a finale that touches the heart. The subtle use of CGI is the catalyst for the narrative’s other featured occupant, and it is used to quick but credible and impactful intention. It is refreshing to see such a wonderful utilization of hope infused into a hopeless situation and how it can illustrate that, when we least expect it, someone or something just might arrive to save us.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
