Short Film Review “The Air Between Us” A uniquely conveyed message about ambiance and healing told with a breezy, affecting vibe
NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
We long for what we want out of life with, what I would hope, is a sense of not just expectation, but of genuine contentment. There’s a satisfaction that arrives from simply KNOWING that all that is occurring within and without is settled, even when things AREN’T so smooth, it all finds a way to work out to the betterment of ALL involved. But, no matter now much we aim to experience this kind of bliss, life has a way of throwing that figurative curve ball that will test our mettle and REAL dedication to all we desire to maintain.
For a young couple, Tyler (Jordan Nancarrow) and Sasha (Crayton Michelle Cambridge), moving into a brand new home should be THE BEST of times for them all almost every way. Yet, as time progresses, it becomes evident that Sasha is becoming more and more unable to, quite literally, breathe properly. As the symptoms remain, so does a constantly growing strain in the marriage relationship the couple share, threatening to undermine all their happiness…..unless something can be done to correct it.
Next, my Mind:
One thing that remain undeniably certain when it comes to indie film is that those behind them are more consistently demonstrating means to make whatever chosen topic their effort focuses on conspicuously fresh, or at least REFRESHED. Mind you, this isn’t an EASY task, since SO many subject matters have been addressed over and over again, sometimes to the point of over-saturation or to otherwise wholly un-engaging degrees that steal away the quality of what we as the viewer take in. So, when it came to this new 13-minute short film from director Newton Mayenge and writer Lydia Lane, what ends up becoming the most unanticipated facets of their thematic choice is the unavoidable persuasive yet non-preachy manner in which they ultimately communicate their intended core message, but also that it just flat out WORKS to a magnitude of practical and informative impact that one would NOT be expecting to occur.
Through a narrative that very effectively and with nicely paced, uncomplicated, and still evident intent takes us into the lives of a couple whose move into their new house comes with more that just the cost of a mortgage, but also the wife’s decreasing health that is forcing them apart, the magic generated here is first and foremost how deftly the film’s title succeeds in reflecting TWO imperative meanings that are so integral to the story’s purpose, lending both an emotive center for the characters AND provided the more surprising awareness-raising aspect that fortunately does NOT interfere with the primary narrative. Quite the opposite, actually, as it REINFORCES it, integrated into the film’s finale in a way that, again, doesn’t feel forced or cliché, but RELEVANT and noteworthy. It is an overall approach that I can easily get behind when a film can keep us present with it from start to finish AND cap it off with something to be reminded about and consider.
Speaking of thematic forays, the film’s methodology of exploring how we as people tend to overthink things, and then subsequently acknowledge how we then need to recognize when they might try to separate us from each other (in this case, breaking into a marriage), being willing to end up listening, learning, and doing what is needed to repair the rifts, even if that does break YOU in some fashion in order to do so, and finally discovering a path through the storm that brings all of out of conflict and back together is executed adeptly enough to stir your heart and empathy for the circumstances depicted, though admittedly, in itself, it may not QUITE “hit” with the sense of complete magnitude human relational tempests warrant when showcased. BUT, it IS a more quiet tension events elicit, and this doesn’t negatively affect the story, your appreciation of the characters, or the grander statements the film is making, at least in this critic’s opinion.
Nancarrow is a portrait of an “everyman” thrust into unforeseen and initially unsettling personal experiences when his wife becomes unexplainably ill once they’ve moved into their new home through his role here as Tyler. This is a man who suddenly has to become far more intentional in being truly understanding about what his wife is going through, even without actual answers, much less having to make a heartbreaking decision to let her have space she feels she needs to sort it all out. Soon, it is just as much about his own life’s path as it is him trying to ensure one way or the other he gets BACK to her and their relationship, and watching how Nancarrow guides the character through this is highly believable and accessible thanks to the actor NOT overacting emotionally, but rather staying in control throughout the film and expressing the character’s feelings in a grounded way that MAKES him a person to root for and for reconciliation to arrive.
I felt the same way about Cambridge here through her performance as Tyler’s wife Sasha, who begins confronting a strange breathing illness once her and Tyler have moved into their new home. As this genuinely starts to erode the couple’s communication and connection with each other, boiling over (though in a more overall calm and poised way) to the point of her needing to spend time out of the home and away from him, it causes her own journey of self-discovery and learning about what it is to not hold onto any form of resentment or unresolved issues between them in order to be open to finally realizing that the space between them might have BEEN needed at first, but that being TOGETHER and solving the issues at hand in this way is FAR more essential and vital to the couple being able to move FORWARD rather than be weighed down or held back by even their own individual stubbornness in the face of challenge. Just simply well-played by Cambridge.
It’s an intentional performance and one that doesn’t need overt emotive displays in order to carry the declarations the story demands and fosters, with Cambridge being just as credible as Nancarrow through the film. Primary supporting players arrive first through Andrew C. English Jr. as Jack, Tyler’s best friend and more so a necessary confidant during the couple’s separation who becomes an even larger voice for resolution that JUST surface level concern and baseline assistance to his friends. Bryn Bergwall is Amber, Jack’s wife (or at least partner?) whom also supports Jack’s approach and possible solutions to Tyler and Sasha’s problem. So, in total, “The Air Between Us”, based on real events, cleverly turns from a basic story into presenting a far more interesting angle on its primary theme, creating an atmosphere that enlightens and educates, while encouraging ALL us to embrace the urgency to take that principal step when in crisis with another…clear the air.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
