Memory Lane is a short film by Ross Holman that highlights the music of his rap-persona
Arcadia Smith. Mixing a music video style with a more traditional narrative, Memory Lane is a good showcase for Holman's musical talents, even if not for his filmmaking. The true driving force of this short film is the music, but it tries to give the plot to string the songs together. A fictional version of Arcadia buys a briefcase that allows him to relive his past and visit potential futures. He experiences formative memories of his younger self, falls in love, and sees himself in a successful career - before things take a turn for the worse. Memory Lane is an amateur production, but with that in mind, it's a solid effort. Though the acting leaves a lot to be desired, the camerawork is competent, though there are a couple of unfortunate shots where the cameraperson is visible. The editing is also not bad except for a few clunky and obvious cuts. The plot is the weakest part, as well as the time it takes to get through it all. The first few songs had clear connections to the onscreen story, but by the time we reach the halfway point, it's harder to see how they support the narrative or vice versa. Overall, the real talent of Arcadia Smith is in his music. The songs were enjoyable, and their segments featured the best editing of the whole endeavor. If you view it as a musical showcase rather than a narrative, Memory Lane succeeds in that you probably want to hear more music from its star.
