There are films that contain scenes you will remember for the rest of your life, certain cinematic moments so impactful and strong that they will drift back into your consciousness without warning or censor. She, a short from Chelsey Burdon and Mark Vessey, is one such film. By necessity this must be a short review as to reveal too much would be to do the film an injustice.
Its strength and force is reliant entirely on not knowing the story above what is clear from the outset; that He and She are a couple with problems. He appears to be a distant and controlling, a brooding menace of a man while She is timid and desperately eager to please. Events reach tipping point when She prepares a romantic anniversary dinner for them.
With stark, simplistically effective direction that draws you into this tensely uncomfortable world, Burdon and Vessey have demonstrated a rare delicacy that benefits their film immensely. They have avoided the pitfalls that beset many short films in trying to show too much, to explain everything on screen, and instead trust the audience to follow and understand what they are watching. This style is complimented superbly by the sparseness of the couple’s home and draws further attention to their bleak, empty relationship.
OVERALL SUMMARY
She is a film worth making the effort to seek out. It is a perfect example of how to construct an intelligent short film and promises much from both filmmakers.
