Short Film Review “Karma” You know what they say about it, smartly experienced from dual viewpoints
WATCH THE FILM BELOW:
First, the Recap:
What comes around goes around. What you sow, so shall you reap. Things seem to always find a way to create balance in this world. Can we not see examples where one thing leads to another, even if not always immediately, and the results can either be beneficial or detrimental? This concept of an “even-ing out” maintains its presence whether we wish it to or not, and perhaps should cause us to contemplate the actions we take, or should perhaps not take, every day.
Jean (Katie Flaherty) is your normal, everyday kind of woman, happy to be about her business while also seeking any and all opportunity to be of aid to anyone else in need. As a current day moves forward, she finds herself having such chances to positively impact other people’s lives, as well as demonstrating a concern for the general environment in which she resides. However, is this climate of kindness and subsequent joy setting the stage for returned appreciation…..or?
Next, my Mind:
Three minutes, seventeen seconds. That’s right. In only this amount of immensely abbreviated runtime, an evocative, necessary, relevant, influential, and honestly unnerving statement about the human condition and the current state of our world was made, at least in this critic’s opinion, thanks to writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor Geovana Pimentel along with producers Maria Alice Negromonte, Gabriela Yoshimoto Cruz, and Anna Bulgakova. If there was ever a prime example of what can be accomplished in such short order when executed by the adeptly creative flow of originality that resides within the indie film community, I absolutely say this is it. As I tend to point out many a time, it takes diving below the surface, even when the story being conveyed isn’t in itself that complex, to really SEE the film’s ultimate purpose and the messaging that it carries through the events we as the viewer witness. It makes you THINK. And this, too, is something I consistently feel more films SHOULD elicit from us rather than ONLY delivering entertainment.
Indie film excels at this, and here is no exception as we witness a narrative concentrated on a single character whose experiences being a Good Samaritan while trying to embody the overall generosity of heart, mind, soul, and attitude we should ALL strive to live by having to confront potential realities then found through the concept of karma and its ramifications. BUT, it’s HOW the film artistically, and with immersive, candid, and unflinching unconventionality, addresses this idea from the foundational beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism–believing our fates are tied to actions we initiate in both our present as well as previous lives which then define our futures is handled–that for me was pure, unadulterated magic, and a conspicuous testimony to the independent filmmaker’s goal of presenting those accessibly impactful themes that we can either directly relate to or at least recognize the applicability of in our own state of affairs, regardless of what your own personal beliefs are. Pimentel has really created something unique and persuasive here, no question about it.
To emphasize and back up that last notion even further, it’s the exploration of a dichotomy being illustrated here that ends up initiating the unexpected sense of unsettled contemplation this film brings to bear, as the events we see depicted at first appear just as we WOULD anticipate….until there’s a rather jarring upending of this that only serves to make this narrative all the more potent in its dueling perspectives we are privy to. This was the consummate genius of the film’s direction and well-crafted writing that brings this to life in a manner that SHOULD make us pause and ponder the state of affairs these contemporary times find us in, but ideally initiate the desire to change the way we are as people so that what this film chooses to showcase doesn’t actually come about in the manner it does. Because having diametrically opposed outcomes of what we would normally foresee in striving to have a positive outlook vs. a negative one IS how things seem to so often be, and it again makes you stop to consider it thanks to this film’s finale that really leaves its indelible mark on you.
In initial appearance, it seems like Flaherty has nothing to truly act out given the premise and uncomplicated nature of this film. However, this really isn’t the case, as that ever present actuality found in many an indie film actor’s repertoire—understatement–is in full effect here, and it one hundred percent works wonders for the story through her role as Jean. A young woman out to enjoy a new day, Jean always manages to see chances to improve others’ days as well, which she carries out with an easy smile and bright personality. Then, there’s another side of the coin to see, and the very same person we’ve just seen has changed, in both blatant and subtle ways, and how this may end up affecting the outcome of her day will become the focal point of her story’s message and warning. I love the straightforwardness of the role, as there’s nothing forced, fake, or presumptuous about it, the emotions are genuine, and the uncertainty, whether known or unknown, about how any day will go based on our choices remains in place, even when veiled at first vs. more evident. It’s a fantastic performance Flaherty provides to guide the character with muted energy and purpose.
Supporting turns arrive from Anna Bulgakova and John Nguyen as two individuals on the receiving end of both help and disregard that interact with Jean. Sam Thor appears via voice only as a friend Jean speaks with. So, in total, “Karma”, with its dual perspectives, deftly and fearlessly speaks to its title’s designation with an undeniable strength that astutely shines a revealing light onto the entire idea of how things we do can come back around for the good of others yet somehow to our own fate vs. for our own benefit at the cost of those who would seek or be given unexpected assistance and acknowledgment. As indicated earlier, the fact that it feels like bad things happen to good people and vice versa, let’s hope it is a trend that can truly come to an end, because the verity of this state of being is all too real, and far too common in occurrence to ignore.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
