WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
What is it to live in constant trepidation? Day by day, we arise, ideally take stock of what the upcoming period of time might hold, and then charge headlong into the fray. Yet, if we are weighed down by the specter of high tension buffeting every fiber within us, how can we function? How exactly will we cope? In a standard looking office, one man named Mike (Tom Mariano) types fervently on his computer’s keyboard, lost in a haze of nervous energy, as he prepares statistics needed for an upcoming meeting. Yet, inside, his confidence is shot, burdened by a sense of being seen as a fool, a failure. Even later as his boss asks him to share any insights, Mike remains frozen, unconfident.
In the aftermath, Mike seemingly wanders aimlessly in his mind even as he tries to gather himself on local bus home. Finding himself amidst the plethora of other passengers, little does Mike realize he’s surrounded by others encountering their own inward challenges, like a skilled artist (Sheetal Kelkar) paralyzed by thoughts of rejection by peers, not being good enough, ignored, and naked in front of the world. Perhaps it’s the athletes like a talented baseball player (Vac Harris) or ice skater (Gina Petronella) with concerns of injury or not being able to compete at higher levels. Maybe it’s the decorated military veteran (William DeCoff) severely haunted by who he’s been and now what he has become. With these and more, it soon becomes the question of whether they can overcome–or be internally shattered forever.
Next, my Mind:
Executed with a no-nonsense, smartly written narrative, captivating visual approach, and deftly presented, real-world tone that is as affecting and sobering as it is ultimately hopeful and awareness-raising, writer/director Chris Esper’s indie short film takes only 10 minutes to make one whopper of an evocative statement about the crippling effects of anxiety and Imposter Syndrome while creatively illustrating that those suffering from it can have a needed assurance it can be conquered. With more and more emphasis being placed on mental illness, being there for those afflicted by it, and changing perceptions of it all in general, the film is very much timely in its emergence and, for this reviewer, highly necessary in order that there’s a flat out realization that these are intelligent, often very successful individuals who endure Imposter Syndrome, hampered in their accomplishments by a potentially crushing sense they are about to be “exposed” as total frauds. The film, even when it’s periods of no dialogue but just accompanying music and images, hits home so powerfully as we see both the lead character and subsequent satellite characters represent many different careers and/or states of being and how each is encumbered by the heavily psychologically-based worries that cause them to see themselves as less than they actually are. The amount of stress this must place on one’s conscious is palpably on display here throughout, and the clever utilization of children or younger actors as “side characters” to be the avatars symbolizing the inner strife truly puts it all in a unique and effective perspective. Add the apropos music score as well, and this is one amazing total package with a hugely relevant message that delivers a finale that will leave you speechless, inspired, and greatly impacted.
Mariano takes on the primary and initiating (as it were) character role of Mike, a regular guy with what we only assume is an overall high success rate at his job who’s battling his inner apprehensiveness through working hard, yet still feeling like he’s not measuring up, even when everything would most likely speak otherwise. Watching him try to “ignore” this turmoil only to experience it right at the moments he worried it would is painful, much less seeing him down in its wake. Yet, even as he boards the bus home and is unknowingly surrounded by a myriad of others who face the same obstacles in their own ways, viewing the revelations and actions that follow is so uplifting, and Mariano does such a great job at embodying this ever-changing dynamic throughout the effort.
Kelkar’s artist is another beautifully portrayed study in the negative ramifications that arise when a person’s mind can so devastatingly convince them that despite outward achievement, it’s all for naught or will indeed be revealed as a sham. The forced smiles and “acknowledgement” the character puts forth is testament to the strife occurring, and Kelkar’s understated demeanor belies the acute struggle she is enacting. Likewise, Harris and Petronella’s baseball player and ice skater are wonderfully performed as individuals worried about performance and hence their talent level, while DeCoff absolutely nails his military veteran’s deeply impactful and significant outward display of internal upheaval to a “T”, providing the catalyst for the film’s pivotal turn and the story’s resolution that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Plenty of additional supporting turns are present here, some of the primary ones including Paul Kandarian as a man with O.C.D., Lakia Norwood as a drag queen, Mackenzie Sarkisian as a girl with an eating disorder, and Annora Takeuchi as a woman with an illness, along with Brendan Meehan, Jamie Braddy, Adam Masnyk, Madeline B. Smith, Omari Riley, Grady Oberton, Quitman McBride, Gabriella Lentini, and Ava Ingalls, the younger “doppelgangers” portraying visual manifestations of each individual’s fears, among many others. In total, with all the types of apprehensions being explored here, there is simply no getting past the urgent pertinency paired with astute, insightful, and discerning filmmaking that is brought forth in Esper’s newest short film project. I personally do hope that it is readily added to an ever-growing number efforts that highlight these types of issues so that further research and applicable solutions can be made known for those who fight with Imposter Syndrome while the rest of us can take the time to learn, empathize, and maybe find a way to help with it ourselves.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
