'Summary'
In Twice as Shy ( written and directed by Anjelica Hymel) viewers spend a night of the full moon with lifelong best friends Rick (Cole Sitilides) and Jack (Zach Chasen)
This will mark the first time Jack transforms into a werewolf and as if turning into a werewolf isn't already nerve wrecking enough we learn through the night's preparations for the big event that the friends slept together previously.
Jack seems to have taken it as just a fun fling while Rick feels it may have been something more and seems to have deeper feelings for Jack than just friends. This leads to not only the full moon being on the rise but tensions between the friends as well!
'The Performances'
Cole Sitilides brings a sweet warm energy to Rick.
He's a character anyone would be lucky to have as a friend given what he's willing to do for others even if it's something that puts himself in not the safest of situations.
Cole does a fine job showcasing RIck's internal emotions just with his facial expressions alone from the longing looks he gives Jack, the hurt from feeling rejected by him to the shock and intrigue as he watches on when Jack's transforming.
He's also quite charming in some of the films lighter moments about possible sparkling vampires and making pet jokes to an unamused Jack.
Zach Chasen gives us a grounded performance while tackling a character in a complex situation.
From the start you can see how apprehensive Jack is about the looming transformation even with all he's done to prepare. While there's a moment of lighthearted banter between Jack and Rick it's not long after things begin to get more serious.
Jack begins to get more moody and starts snapping at RIck and I think Zach does a substantial job in where I feel some actors might just raise their voices with no sentiment behind it you can feel the genuine emotion he puts into the characters frustrations.
Zach also has the added task of bringing forth the physical performance for the much anticipated transformation scene where Jack turns into the werewolf which leads me into the next highlight of this review...
'The Transformation'
As a big werewolf movie buff I applaud this film for not skimping out on one of the signature plot points of a werewolf story. I've seen plenty of werewolf movies backed by major studios who cop out on this aspect and have the person hide behind a couch or counter and have them change off screen. This film goes down the more traditional practical route like such film classics as An American Werewolf in London or the Being Human (UK) series!
Emily Rice-Slothower (Special FX/Makeup) works her magic on this project and gives Jack an awesome fur filled fanged out werewolf look! Her work along with Zach's physical execution of the transformation gives us a thrilling scene! Jack's scar from his werewolf scratch looked pretty awesome too! Props to the sound effect work here as well!
Loved how they handled the atmosphere and the color palette. The opening photo montage was a nice way of establishing their friendship with the viewers as well. As a contributer to this project I can say the end product was well worth it and that director Anjelica Hymel really brought everything together well!
I certainly wouldn't mind a series or full feature length film from this project! :)
