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First, the Recap:
Potential. Often, we hear people being advised it’s something they have. Whether it be in the context of school, work, or other demonstrated skill sets, it is an affirmation that signals what should be a good future and/or should likewise act as a motivational catalyst for one to achieve goals and dreams. But, there is then wasted potential, when one basically HAS the ability to excel, and may very well do so, yet only to certain extent, and finds NO real drive to pursue things, but rather just “get by”, even in the face of opportunity. Such is life for Duncan (Jacob Sherburne), whose forgetfulness alone would seem to cause him enough troubles as it is, much to the mild annoyance of his landlord, Elliot (Phil Berry).
Duncan’s basement-level, unkempt apartment lifestyle belies a Harvard education and the apparent intelligence that goes along with it, but he seems satisfied to work enough to survive and then lay on the couch watching T.V.. One night, a loud crash by his “back” door awakens him, and he opens it to find an unconscious man lying amidst the overtly large pile of plastic and glass bottles thrown out there over time. Bringing the would-be intruder inside, he discovers upon his awakening it is a former high school friend, Jimmy (John Pizzuti). An awkward conversation, a theft, a call from Duncan’s girlfriend Tess (Katie Corwin), a change of heart, and a new decision about not leaving things undone all follow, illustrating certain lessons are learned from simple circumstances.
Next, my Mind:
Admittedly, this third short film offering screened and reviewed here from indie director Sean Meehan took this reviewer two run-throughs to gain even the personal opinion expressed herein. And funny enough, it ultimately becomes the subtle genius of this project, as it really is an exercise in plain randomness of events, their causes, and the overall effects things have on every character involved. The simple settings, the basic dialogue, and the interesting combination of mild humor and a real moral turn this effort to a very solid story. The entire concept of Duncan being what some people would call a “waste of space” via his seemingly apathetic living arrangements becomes the foundation for what he and Jimmy end up learning.
Sherburne’s Duncan does indeed come across as one who many would just write off as wasted potential, given his obvious smarts having attended Harvard, yet kind of “floating” still despite what sounds like solid chances to excel being given to him. And Sherburne does a solid job bringing this out, just as Pizzuti is likewise effective in presenting Jimmy as yet another type of person some would label a “waste of space” as well, given the proclivities we are made aware of. And then even the hallway full of bottles becomes a “character” in itself here, a third “waste of space”, that ties everything together by the film’s finale. And the package Duncan receives from Tess simply caps off the proceedings in a surprisingly profound way.
And so in summary, you might not get the film on first viewing, and this is not a bad thing if you don’t. It was the unexpected straightforwardness of the story, its ordinary, unembellished tone and execution, that ends up delivering to the viewer a very fundamental and relatable parable.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
