Short Film Review - Peace

Peace
Directed by: Mike Doto
Written by: Dan Braker
Starring: Kurtwood Smith and Nancy Lenehan

Ah the short film. A difficult medium to be sure. Trying to fit an entire story into a time frame of minutes instead of hours is not an easy task. You don't have the luxury of time the way you might in a feature length film.

You need to get your characters, your story, your purpose out to the audience in a fraction of the time.

It's tough. Tougher than one would realize.

When it is done well, as with Peace, it is refreshing.

Peace is the story of Howard and Betty, a couple who have just celebrated their fortieth anniversary. Howard, recently retired, makes a choice to try and control his temper and irritation with his wife by promising not to yell at her for an entire day.

Betty is a very doting and attentive wife and clearly this is annoying Howard. However, as the day progresses, he tries his best to maintain control. In the end, well...you won't get that info from me. You'll have to watch it.

The film is very endearing and funny. Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show) and Nancy Lenehan (My Name Is Earl) play Howard and Betty so well that I would not be surprised if they were married in reality. They have a great chemistry together and certainly pull off a couple married forty years. They are a prime example of perfect casting.

I have to say the production on this is stellar. I've received a lot of indy movies to review and to be honest, Peace looks better than the majority of them.

The writing and directing are top notch. The film never attempts to reach beyond its scope with wacky editing or trick camera work. It's wonderfully shot and paced to perfection. The score compliments the feel and story and never overpowers the scenes.

It is a really impressive dark comedy that I enjoyed immensely. A shinning example of a short done right.

Definitely check it out!

For more information check out the following links:


Trailer
Official Site
iTunes
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