The Cobblestone Corridor is cunning and quirky short that pays homage to the stylish crime dramas of film noir cinema.
Set in the cobblestone corridors of Alfred Pierce Preparatory School, Allan Archer (known simply by the eponymous "Archer") is the silver tongued editor-in-chief of his school's newspaper. His no nonsense pursuit of the truth has not made him the most likable student at his school. With the wintry exam season underway, Archer takes on his most ambitious case yet and probes into the suspicious expulsion of the English department chairperson.
Part gumshoe detective picture and part eccentric teen flick, The Cobblestone Corridor is an efficiently entertaining narrative and technically excellent short highlighting the skills of its creator Erik Bloomquist.
Written, directed and starring Mr. Bloomquist, The Cobblestone Corridor is funny, well thought out, and shows the clear admiration Bloomquist for the cinema that came before him. Bloomquist's film feels neither contrived or overly precious; an impressive feat for an aspiring film maker. Further, every frame shows a vision and intention toward the narrative at hand.
The Cobblestone Corridor feels ripped from the same realm as a Humphrey Bogart film but with a sassy fresh spin that simultaneously respects the genre it hopes to emulate. Aiding in his endeavors is a talented medley of up and coming actors who inhabit their peculiar world freely. They utter the overly stylized dialogue so naturally it makes the story all the more convincing and persuasive.
Typical for films and shorts shot independently, a viewer must augment their expectations for potential with an awareness that it may not be reflected in final product in front of him or her. Not so with The Cobblestone Corridor. Well acted, directed, nor bloated in any way, Bloomquist's short left us refreshed and excited for up and coming talent.
It is only with the most critical eye that minor suggestions for improvement can be made. Infrequently, but present in the film, were minor technical flaws; with it occasionally slipping into soft focus and the sound being crunchy during the outside scenes in the snow. The film is succinctly written and any commentary regarding content would simply be a personal preference – of which we have none.
As a reel to highlight the talent of Erik Bloomquist, The Cobblestone Corridor introduces a creative talent with a keen eye and much promise. To watch the film in full, check it out on Vimeo On Demand.
7.5/10 Please check out our website for full reviews of all the recent releases and indies.
