The Pesky Suitor

I was lucky to catch this on the Independent Film Channel on DirecTv and was pleasantly surprised. This wasn't her best work, but it brought out the things that fans of hers like... her smile, and when she gets worked up over something, her tad of hysteria.

I thought this short film was very entertaining and touching, especially the ending. The soundtrack was unusual and a bit unsettling, but it fit rather well. I particularly liked the performance of the old man. You thought his intentions were not honorable but in the end, everything came into play, and it all made sense.

I have to admit I had never really been a great Claire Danes fan...on "My So-Called Life," I really felt the rest of the cast outperformed her, and her downbeat, pensive character reminded me of the all-black-wearing, amyl-nitrate-sniffing kids who hung out at the comic book store in my hometown.

But this short film really changed my mind. I completely identified with Lisa, an essentially nice but awkward young teenage girl who befriends an elderly man and his unseen, shrill wife. I also identified with her genuine discomfort as she realized that this sweet old guy would go on talking forever and ever and ever...if she let him!

As the film progresses, we see touching glimpses into the lives of these two older people. By the end, everything is so poignant and beautifully wrapped up that you feel you've watched a full-length feature film.

I highly recommend this one. It's shown occasionally on the Independent Film Channel.