WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Human nature. Whether we wish it to be the driving force behind our attitudes and actions or not, this unavoidable facet of who we are and how we behave remains fully intact as we traverse the ever-fluctuating world of interpersonal dynamics while likewise attempting to figure out what can end up being the greatest mystery yet–ourselves. With an arrogance that belies the façade we might put up for others, friends, family, and random acquaintances alike, that tries to paint the picture of acceptance and tolerance, our own preoccupation with the real “number one” seems to supersede it all. On this day, happy couple Emma (Lucia Sawh) and Jackson (Aaron Badilla) host three other couples–Kim (Kezia Bernard-Nau) and Max (Jess Prichard), Macy (Mackenzie Lesser-Roy) and Tyler (Aaron Zapf), Lauren (Dana Stern) and Will (Sam Ashdown)–in their home for a planned time together of fun, frivolity, and an unexpectedly (though humorously) tense revelation of how much they don’t truly know each other, or themselves, at all.
Next, my Mind:
Choosing to shine a highly transparent, most likely realistic, and beautifully biting, comically-infused spotlight on Millennials while also portraying the all-too-awkward yet profoundly honest truth about just how much we like to believe we have other people figured out but really don’t, this 22-minute short film from writer/director/producer Eliezer Vergara presents the perfect combination of both scathing satire and intentionally comedic caricatures of its targeted generational group who all deal with their own sense of self-importance in a multitude of ways during a casual get-together gone wrong. There’s such a wonderfully executed purpose behind the narrative and pacing of the effort as it boldly puts forth its characters’ plight, as what should be a pleasant afternoon amongst friends turns into a free-for-all filled with attacks both self-deprecating and fully conceited.
Showcasing this devolving from harmless pleasantries into full-on verbal war is quite hilariously expanded upon through subjects that so often arise in group atmospheres, again whether desired or not, including everything here from lifestyle choices, habits, careers, politics, and religion, all while providing the viewer with an equally hysterical cross-section of people–ie: elitists, hipsters (no matter how much they might deny it), perceived underachievers/oddballs, and even just regular folks–that fully clash with each other’s views and opinions when provoked, even as the host couple simply tries and be the (ignored) voices of peace and reason. Yet, it is in this chaos that it becomes so blatantly evident that none of them actually have a clue about so much of what it is to learn about, understand, and productively interact with one another, which only adds to the abundance of smartly witty moments delivered.
What perhaps then strikes us as the ones “on the outside looking in” on this turmoil is just how much it hits home, though, as we watch no one truly supporting one another, seeing each other as odd, annoying, or “off”, caring only about our own sense of what interests us and therefore should interest everyone. We don’t try to overtly understand anyone else at all, seeking validation from others for our own attention, then feeling ignored if not experiencing those things being acknowledged. Hence, the social atmosphere that might have had any fun involved gets slayed on the altar of self-obsession and at the cost of other’s feelings with a mix of joyous news or moment-killing bombshells that, even while done successfully for humor here, still carries with it an impact, reality, and moral lesson we could really all learn from in this contemporary world that very much is self-centered.
This critic adores ensemble cast-based films, and the right group can leave an indelible impression on the viewer, which assuredly occurs here in spades. The host couple, Emma and Jackson, are played with such understated ease and effective wit by Sawh and Badilla, who give us the most “normal” pair of the friends gathered, yet end up revealing they have their own inwardly kept “prejudices” and biases when it comes to the others. Bernard-Nau and Prichard excel as the hipster (vehemently denied, just saying) couple Kim and Max, who are already having their own personal relationship issues and undivulged secrets which might end up being exposed if the right buttons are pushed, even as they take their fair share of stabs at other guests.
Lesser-Roy and Zapf playfully tackle the successful-yet-underachieving couple Macy and Tyler, whom no one necessarily seems to take one hundred percent seriously, even as they both laud their achievements in the respective “careers” they expound about, Macy’s especially, much to the exasperation of many, and with her particular level of borderline air-headedness and “too cheerful” demeanor which is a complete riot as Lesser-Roy enacts it. Then there is Stern and Ashdown who to a “T” bring out the full-on elitist viewpoint and posturing in couple Lauren and Will, two souls who clearly place themselves above the others and do so with such obvious disdain that it becomes a total hoot to witness come forth as Stern and Ashdown depict it. The combination of all these personalities as delivered by this hugely talented cast creates the film’s myriad of jovial sequences in magnificently entertaining fashion.
So, in total, “Self Servers” stands as a fantastically adept, well-conceived, brutally (but in FUN) honest homage to the human condition as it applies to our interactions with fellow inhabitants of this globe we call home and amongst those whom we term “friends”, all to drive home a necessary and deeply relevant point that we could stand to pay better attention to others, their interests, and their lives, so that when we come together, there will be a genuine and sincerely demonstrated level of love, respect, admiration, acceptance, and mutually shared appreciation of all the things that make us the unique individuals we are.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
