WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
The resonance of the truth. We know instinctively inside that to be totally open and honest in all things is the ideal place to thrive, whether amidst family, friends, and perhaps even most importantly, in the relationship founded on love that is a deep, abiding marriage. Yet, we also know that to experience any kind of betrayal of trust, validity, or authenticity can potentially shatter even the strongest bond. For a particular couple named Amy (Tawny Sorensen) and Jim (Nabil Vinas), the night begins with rather whimsical atmosphere as she finds him choosing to watch a video about couples leading up to pregnancy and birth, the content of which isn’t remotely appealing to Amy.
Understanding they’ve been trying to have children for a spell, the current post-intimacy pillow talk soon becomes Jim’s random bantering about all the various ways Amy could negatively impact her pregnancy (that hasn’t even occurred yet), while Amy attempts to make him realize he’s being far to chatty and overtly worried instead of relaxing and allowing the two of them to simply get back to romance and enjoy the beauty of affection. However, as they further try to get back to that place of amorous connection, the conversation takes a drastic turn in tone thanks to an unexpected discovery Jim makes. The ensuing arguments disengage the romance, replaced by embittered and affecting realities that make it uncertain whether talking it out has taken it all too far.
Next, my Mind:
With it’s solidly adult-oriented, bluntly addressed subject matter, underlying themes, and impassioned execution, make no mistake that director/editor David Spaltro and writer/co-producer Sorensen intentionally chose to ensure their 16-minute dramedy about the love we desire and the secrets we keep would take an unflinching look at these dynamics via the initially jocular then harshly wounding effect they have on the couple portrayed. It’s raw, grounded, filled with realistic emotion and reaction, and isn’t afraid to leave things on a not-so-happy note. What should be understood, at least for this reviewer, is that the narrative isn’t delivered this way just for the sake of making something beautiful like a loving marriage be a foundation set up to be destroyed, but rather to illustrate, literally, how deeply important it is to have transparency as the rule of the day or otherwise have to confront the ugliness of hidden lies that will ultimately surface and cause possibly serious issues. This honestly is a punch in the face when it comes down to it, and kudos to Spaltro and Sorensen for doing it so.
Sorensen does a wonderful job as Amy, a strong-willed, independent woman and loving wife who has no hesitations about how she feels about the concept of children being introduced to what she might actually perceive is already her ideal marriage. Her playfulness with Jim on what should be a freely romantic, re-bonding encounter turns south and becomes a confessional, an unanticipated and massively awkward one at that, which puts her on the defensive and the hot seat to very unnerving degrees as everything floods out. This highly volatile session is very believably enacted by Sorensen. On the same wavelength, Vinas’ Jim is, at first, the prototypical man, trying to take what he feels are the best possible avenues that will lead to he and Amy getting pregnant, hence looking forward to children, even though it’s more than evident that for all his “research”, he truly has no real clue other than by what means they need to try by. But, once he has the initial revelation he does, followed by all the other unconcealed actualities, his anger, frustration, and non-understanding boiling over is genuine and fiery, so well played by Vinas. A supporting turn is provided by Kayla Leasure, see if you can spot it!
In total, despite the harsh language this reviewer never cares for being present, “The Cat’s Cradle” is one unwavering, candid, sincere, and potently affecting view of how burying secrets and being dishonest in a relationship can be lead to heartbreak, regret, disappointment, and even a questioning of what was or was not mutual aspiration, the coming back from which may truly prove to be the biggest challenge that tests what should always exist at the center of it all–love.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
