WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Waking up each day with a bright outlook and your usual routine. Sometimes, there’s just nothing more satisfying that being able to keep with your set schedule and make the most of every moment. However, isn’t it the worst when something, or someone, comes along and ruins your mojo? On this new day, Terry Kendall (Brit-Charde Sellers) arises with a smile, a shout to the world, and the existence she’s used to. Working hard at the local grocer first, joyful in a job well done, Terry heads off to some relaxation at the park to read. However, today, there’s been a new wrinkle in things–a strange man (Timothy J. Cox) who seems to be appearing around her a bit too much.
Initially ignoring him, the days move on. Yet, this creepy individual soon starts appearing every day at the same time at the grocery store, always asking her about where to find the exact same item. Still wary but unconcerned, Terry goes about her business. The pattern keeps occurring, and soon Terry is sincerely freaked out, even telling her best friend Traffy (Kimberly David) about him and his weird habit of showing up like clockwork daily. As the week moves on and the incident repeats itself, and despite warnings from Traffy about things, Terry finally confronts her “stalker” one night. His name is Orange Green, and he’s pleased to let you know his intentions are nefarious.
Next, my Mind:
A woman who wears many hats, writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor Meg Skaff once again delivers her always eclectic blend of dark drama and twisted jocularity via this 11-minute short film effort that certainly puts an exclamation point and then some on the entire concept and valid commandment–don’t talk to or interact with strangers (especially when they suddenly appear in your life, keep showing up, are overtly creepy and unsettling in their demeanor yet seem harmless, and always ask for chicken–just sayin’!). Simple set pieces and a nice myriad of other filming locales very much assist here in providing the comically (at first!) fluctuating points of contact that Terry and Orange have, while likewise emphasizing his calmly menacing approach that is both intentionally and hysterically overplayed yet blatantly effective in making one’s skin crawl. Add in the very entertaining voiceover narration aspect of the film, and it all combines to make one eccentric trip.
Sellers shines here as lead character Terry Kendall, a mix of happy-go-lucky, street savvy, and naïve young woman who faces her daily life with optimism and little to worry about, as she has her set ways that allow survival in the city to happen. Terry’s eventual first contact with Orange is harmless and, as hinted above, fairly mundane other than being a little off-putting for her. But watching as her growing consternation with his incessant presence in her path daily soon begins to grate on her enough to confront him full out, one could only guess at what the results of that would be, all well-played by Sellers. But, let’s face it, consummate character actor Cox never disappoints and proceeds to steal scenes here as the quietly freaky and disturbing Orange Green, a man with what one would immediately guess is a nasty agenda in mind for poor Terry, yet presents himself so openly that you might begin to feel he’s simply an oddball looking for attention. How it all winds up is quite affecting, with Cox’s performance spot on and entertaining from both a serious and funny POV.
Supporting turns are present here from David as Terry’s best friend since childhood Traffy, who attempts to warn Terry about the dangers of people like Orange, and Anna Calabrese who does the narration throughout and is quite a stitch to listen to via the vocal delivery she chooses to utilize. In total, “Terry Kendall & Orange Green” is a gem of a film, eccentricities and all, in that it showcases the creativity found in independent filmmaking and that “anything is game” approach that allows for said creativity to be brought forth in fresh, invigorating ways. Man, now some chicken sounds really, really good.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
