Shards

Mr. Levine's kinetic blend of styles, influences, and visuals keep this short film's narrative from being tired and clichéd. From the outset our narrator, who we think will be our hero, OD's and dies, leaving us to wonder who we follow? Levine cleverly picks it up with the conflicted but likable Walter, a low-life drug addict who laments about leaving 'the life'. And then there's the girl and her drug-dealing boyfriend who also happens to be best friends with Walter. This meth-induced love triangle wavers from tragedy to comedy then to action as Walter's life seems to be careening out of control. Like a DJ mixing tracks, Mr. Levine makes this flick pop with flash, story, and characters that has you glued to the screen until the very final image...