WITHOUT YOU (2024)
a spoiler-free review by Kraken Film Reviews
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“Without You” is an American short film written and directed by debut filmmaker Al Friedman, seeing him in the leading acting role too. The short co-stars Chelsee Reign and is produced by That’s Rad Studios.
This film depicts Hannah and Al, a couple deeply entwined in love, yet fate deals them a difficult hand as they grapple with profound emotional conflict.
Bound by years of love and memories, their paths diverge when they discover one fundamental difference of their future desires. As they attempt to navigate the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, the film explores the themes of love, grief, and the transformative power of individual aspirations.
What stands out from the first minutes of this short film is its smooth flow, with a well-paced rhythm set by seamless and unobtrusive editing. As we know, invisible editing is a hallmark of a successful production.
The natural, spontaneous filming techniques contribute to the storytelling, truly making you feel as if you are immersed in the scene, in the emotional conflict of the two young individuals.
There are no pretenses in this short film, no complex introductions or overly explicit explanations: it all begins naturally, with the flow, making you feel like a voyeur who has intruded into a house, silently advancing towards the bedroom, cautiously approaching a narrow opening on the wall, thus beginning to spy on those few minutes in the life of a young couple.
It's intriguing how the film begins with the characters' semi-awakening, initiating their psychological and emotional journey from a state of drowsiness, from tranquil sleepiness.
The warm colors maintained throughout the film contribute to a familiar atmosphere, supported by the heartbeat sound effect repeated multiple times. This auditory effect not only sets the tone of the story but also serves as a logical thread, acting as a starting point for a particular element of the plot.
The film, which revolves around love, portrays the sensitivity of a young man in conflict with his partner. It's refreshing to witness a man's genuine sensitivity, especially in an era where many people are redefining their gender roles for themselves.
It's evident that the actor portraying Al is constantly and fully engaged, completely immersed in the scene and the character. One can analyze how he's not distracted by anything else but is fully committed to his character's objective. Still, it's remarkable to see a story that so naturally showcases a man's sensitivity, his fervent desire to start a family, to open himself up to the world of emotions and feelings without in any way diminishing his masculinity.
The short film is a breath of fresh air, a natural portrayal of human emotions and instincts.
It was about time someone staged these courageously sincere and spontaneous feelings. Sometimes, emotional whirlwinds are triggered by small details of everyday life, not just by grandiosely dangerous events necessarily linked to the external world.
A great product for a debut filmmaker, where the slight lack of variety in locations is countered and balanced by the successful dialogue and focus on the interpersonal relationship of our two well-written protagonists.
The set design is characterized by its simplicity, with small details that conceal a thoughtful search for elegance. Glass, perfumes, and small objects come together to create a minimalist white environment that exudes intimacy.
In this short film, the voyeur, the viewer, at a certain point, almost feels like a thief, a burglar, not because they want to steal physical objects in our fictional house, but rather because they observe such an intimate moment with such avidity. After all, stealing with the eyes is the trade of those who love cinema, as the famous French director François Truffaut once said. But stealing with the eyes isn't always so effortless. Sometimes you have to strain, sometimes you have to concentrate, but in watching "Without You," becoming a kleptomaniac is seamless and instinctual.
Highlights:
Acting: 9/10
Screenplay: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
— Kraken Film Reviews.
CAST & CREW
Al Friedman
WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER
Al Friedman
"AL"
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"HANNAH"
PRODUCER
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY