WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
We can always dream of better places. Sometimes, life rears an ugly head towards us, and we therefore escape into the confines of our own thoughts and dreams in order to find that more serene state of existence. However, there are also those circumstances where the dream might never be. South East teen Kevin (Eddie Chamberlin) knows all too well this actuality. Struggling against the angst of simply being a teenager, Kevin also contends with his autistic-born quirks, orphaned status, and indigent living conditions, always trying to break away from it all via fantasies about winning the lottery and simply becoming more than he is.
However, life doesn’t want to work with him to attain this goal, as despite good friend Spooner (Harrison Osterfield) being there to hang out with and “relate” to, Kevin’s natural hesitancy and awkwardness in social situations still cripples him further. Dealing with the typical teenage taunts of local girls Kaleigh (Holly Boyden), Sian (Olivia Lahaye), and Charly (Scarlett Marshall), Kevin also faces his foster brother Leo (Christopher Laws) who torments him constantly, making Kevin feel that much more apart. As the days go by, Charly takes an interest in Kevin and befriends him, even as he still dreams of fleeing to bliss. But, even with best intentions and life improvements seemingly on the horizon, other factors involved can sometimes lead to tragic ends.
Next, my Mind:
Executed with a very edgy, dark resolve in its portrayal of not just poor adolescence teens and their striving to find meaning and acceptance, but also a greater message about the fantastical ideas and dreams we immerse ourselves in to seek “hope” from, writer/director/co-producer/co-editor Patrick Ireland’s nineteen minute short film is certainly one that will leave an impression on you. Not at all tentative in its delivery, the narrative is truly a blunt force punch in the face via the harsh dialogue, cynical viewpoints, and marginalized working-class characters depicted, all creating a tone and mood that was actually hard to feel “entertained” by for this reviewer. If anything, with its additional utilization of black and white cinematography that emphasizes the bleakness of the teen-based world shown throughout the effort, this really becomes more of a socio-political commentary, very effectively put together, mind you.
Chamberlin’s deeply affecting performance as Kevin will grab you by the heartstrings and very much take you to the emotional well, as the character is both so charming yet likewise so inwardly forlorn, that the viewer cannot help but be taken in with him, in addition to having a resonating sense of despair for the existence he’s encountering. Osterfield is likewise solid as Kevin’s only real friend, Spooner, who’s the prototypical teenage hotshot, or at least he thinks he is, as he navigates his own rugged path of teenage bravado. Marshall shines as Charly, who actually is willing to take a chance on Kevin, despite his complete and utter gawkiness, as what starts as more of a “joke” friendship actually blossoms into more. Marshall very effectively emotes the emotional and equally uncertain tapestry of this relationship. Laws, as Kevin’s antagonistic “brother” Leo, adds the raw and all-too-real embittered reality to Kevin’s life, to devastating ends.
The solid supporting roles enacted by Boyden, Lahaye, Louise Devlin, and Roisin Monaghan all bring the apropos elements to Kevin’s greater story, and as such, “One In A Million” delivers a melancholy, almost fatalistic view of the trials and broken dreams of youth, while yet still attempting to illustrate the power found in at least being able to believe for something better, even if that sense of ambition and aspiration ultimately is mere illusion. Overall, it was a little darker in thematic attitude than this reviewer tends to prefer, but there is no denying the film’s no holds barred impact on the mind, heart, and soul.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
