WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
The encumbrance of clandestine actions. When we’ve made the unwise choice to burden ourselves with hidden truths that shouldn’t come to light, avoiding being caught becomes paramount. Yet, what price are we willing to accept as the cost of keeping undisclosed indiscretions cloaked under a veil of ensured privacy? On this particular early morning, one man, James (David Chin), is feeling the full weight of unrevealed decisions, even as he minds the rather ominous text messages being received while trying not to wake his wife Simone (Danni Ai).
Following the instructions he’s being given, James heads out, gets in his car, and begins to drive, all the while maintaining connection with his mysterious counterpart on the other end of the texts, which consistently rain in, directing, challenging, and when necessary threatening him with what will happen if he doesn’t comply with the apparent, pre-arranged deal in play. Having to also field texts from Simone as to his whereabouts, James frantically arrives at his destination where the strange and secretive deal goes down. In the aftermath, though, a final text sends him on a frantic journey home.
Next, my Mind:
With a no-holds-barred approach in detailing the potential consequences of keeping skeletons in the closet, especially from those we claim to love wholeheartedly, writer/co-director/co-producer Stephen Herman along with co-director/co-producer/actor Chin deliver their convincing 11-minute short film with an intentionally fervent conviction and one kicker of a finale that assuredly puts an exclamation mark on the moral presented and should literally serve as a cautionary tale to those who might find themselves in real-life situations of similar overall ilk. Truthfully, it is the excellently written endgame shown here that actually saves the film from being just another tale of one man’s folly becoming his undoing. Plus, the smartly executed visuals and atmosphere of desperation the narrative takes the viewer through also serve to make what could have been an average story rise up, turning it into solidly done dramatic fare.
Chin very effectively brings a genuine believability to his role as James, a man more than distressed and in an internal frenzy due to his poorly made choices that have now placed him in a highly precarious position to be blackmailed in order to keep his reckless transgressions from ever being found out by his unwary wife. With every passing moment eating him up through and through, all while being absolutely at the mercy of his would-be “captor” whose relentless reminders about what occurs should James attempt to back out of their deal beleaguer him further, it becomes a race against the clock and against James’ own hesitations about going through with the deal, despite understanding what gets released if he doesn’t. Add the massive panic in the aftermath of everything going down, and it’s truly turned into a full-blown ordeal, all after believing the entire affair was finally over. Chin embodies this harried character very, very well, especially in portraying the emotional toll it’s all taken on James.
The supporting turn by Ai as James’ wife Simone is more than key here, and also well played by the actress. The additional tension added to the mix via her own texts to James while he’s in the middle of this dilemma very much serves as its own powerful reminder of the primary reason he should never have done what he’s hiding from her. In total, “Message Received” is yet another exemplary independent short film effort that stands to be recognized for its clever ending, fine acting, and message conveyed.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
