WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
That which lasts. While we more often wish that there would be MORE elements of life that this concept could be applied to, the invariable truth remains that things simply change more than they stay as they are. Much of this causes us to learn, grow, advance, and create for ourselves the meaning to everything we strive for, to accomplish, and ideally, leave behind as some form of inheritance for others to take ahead. However, what is it to pursue one particular facet of humanity that seems most integral TO our journey, even when at first it appears improbable or impossible, much less maintaining it–close, abiding fellowship with another. For Nate, a former barber’s assistant now full-time practitioner and John, a once rebelliously stubborn youth now family man, it’s the unanticipated path of reality they’ve ended up experiencing over the course of decades, realizing the beauty of precisely what SHOULD always remain–friendship.
Next, my Mind:
There are the wholly entertaining films, there are the completely socially aware films, and then we have those projects that this critic deems the absolutely, undeniably, persuasively NECESSARY films to have out there in a world currently in a state of cultural AND social dysfunction, which is expressly what I felt when it came to this endearing but potently affecting, impactful, and (again) NEEDED 7-minute short film from director/editor Jumai Yusuf, writers David Bickel and Michael Bickel, plus producers Todd Feldman and Jean Liu that recently had its new day in the sun as part of the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. I love the fact in itself that animated film has become a medium for far more than just Saturday morning cartoons or Disney classics (NOT a THING wrong with those, mind you!), but rather like their live action counterparts, a means by which to deliver fully grounded, HUMAN stories that ideally will help us ALL rethink the manner in which we conduct ourselves towards other people, whether family or complete strangers.
Finding its footing in very abbreviated order, but not wasting a SINGLE second of it, the narrative embarks on its path starting in the mid-1960’s and sees an unruly young hippie having been made to come to the local barbershop to VERY reluctantly have his hair cut being serviced by the barber’s assistant, the two forming an initially unlikely bond that ends up spanning a lifetime for them both. The magic is that there isn’t a word of spoken dialogue between them for the duration of the film, and THAT is what allows us to be engaged in WATCHING the passage of time, HOW their building companionship develops, the history they end up sharing, the growth in their individual lives that sometimes parallels the other, and just the wonder of specific moments that will define them over the decades depicted. This IS human connection the way it is MEANT to be, the ability of two people from totally different worlds yet at the same time FROM the SAME grander one they inhabit choosing to forge a camaraderie that so wonderfully, mutually aids them throughout their existence. It’s what we SO desperately require MORE of now. Period.
Additionally, the manner in which the thematic turns the film follows as this relationship is presented is equally compelling and stirring, as we see the rebelliousness of youth, the racial barrier conquered, reciprocated but earned respect manifest, the power of experiencing history, having families, overcoming adversity, changing of hairstyles (LOL That’s a fun, lighthearted one here), handling loss, aging, discovering new opportunities, acceptance, perseverance, just BEING there for someone else, commitment, unwavering support, working through differences when they arise, and the evocative strength of how we INFLUENCE those around us, with the subsequent appreciation and acknowledgement that accompanies it. This all gets addressed in such a quick yet still thought-provoking style, and it is what leaves that always desired, indelible mark on your mind, heart, and spirit as it SHOULD throughout the runtime, with a finale that’s just so perfectly apropos for the events we’ve seen.
Visually what I personally adored about this film was, and I don’t mean this is ANY kind of negative connotation, the basic simplicity OF the animation style utilized here, as it truly elicits an almost nostalgic sense of accessibility and/or relatability that adeptly suits the narrative being delivered. In this day and age where high-tech CGI still reigns supreme, the concept of what I believe was solely hand-drawn characters, backgrounds, etc that we see simply adds so beautifully to the charming and delightful atmosphere we get to be immersed within, and it IS this grounded state of being that MAKES the film as dynamically significant in its messages and purpose. So, in stating this, I must give total credit and shout out to animators Jenna Barnett, Skylar Burchatz, Matthew Buxbaum, DeMarco Crews, Chris Mejia, Michael Melanson, and Collin Schuster as well as the background artists Elaina Buffkin, Bethany Fullerton, Samatha Kipperman, and Helena Yu. Job WELL DONE!! You deftly brought the world of Nate and John to vibrant, inspirational, and emotive life.
The music score from composer Pedro Osuna is also a facet here to relish, as its jazz-themed format becomes a character on its own in how it brings both a bright feeling of overall joy as well as poignancy that the story exudes in exactly the right moments. As mentioned above, there were no actual actors involved with the film as far as spoken parts, although we do hear a news report on a T.V. set about a deeply relevant historical event that occurs during the formation of the two lead character’s friendship, but I believe that was actual recorded audio from the original broadcast. If I am NOT correct in that assumption (obviously, always possible), I do extend my genuine apologies to the voice actor who did that section of the film. So, in total, “Nate & John” is a fantastically uncomplicated yet utterly moving and pertinent film that showcases the importance of people being willing to actually SEE one another, even when unexpectedly, and allowing the emergence of a union that transcends race, creed, color, or life path that will pave the way for something amazing to be created and that will shape everything for the better–harmony and togetherness. While we of course won’t ALL be BFF’s in this world, wouldn’t it be excellent if we COULD be? Yes, PLEASE!
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
