My Name Is Lisa

Don't miss this one. Well written, efficiently shot and well directed. I'm trying to think of something I would have changed... nothing.

So congratulations to the Sheltons, but the reason you absolutely should see this movie isn't their smooth and wholly inoffensive style. Its their casting.

The reason you absolutely should see it is Miss Carlie Nettles; the amazingly talented young actress who starred in this and one other of the Shelton's short films. Her performance is smart, prickly and wrenching. She's painfully honest and most importantly, she doesn't hide in any of the tidy places the movies usually shove young actors. You don't like her, you love her. Watch her.

This is an interesting short film. Unlike many stories, there is no back story or context. The film simply begins with a child (who looks about 11) talking into the camera as if she's making a video diary. Mom wanders into the scene and begins making comments that seem odd. As the scenes change, it becomes more and more apparent that the mother is losing her memory. With each cut, the change is more drastic. At first it looks like simple forgetfulness but by the end of the film, it's obvious that the lady has Alzheimer's and she's moving into the more dangerous stage as she no longer even recognizes her daughter.

The film is very moving exceptionally well made. Good acting, script and direction make this a sad yet informative film about a fictitious family in crisis. I'll look into showing this to my psychology classes next school year.