A Little Easier (2017)

-Written by Bryan Miller. 

Confronting issues of resentment and forgiveness, a woman remembers life with her estranged father. A Little Easier explores the struggle of reconciling trauma, while remembering the past. Pushing the boundaries of empathy and absolution, the film reveals glimpses of humanity in the soul of a monster, ultimately testing the relationship between parent and child to the breaking point.

I wish it was a little easier (pun intended) to review A Little Easier. Short films are notoriously difficult to examine as there is only so much someone can discuss. The time frame the film has to tell its story also magnifies all the tiny imperfections that would have been lost in full-length feature film. Essentially, if you are going to make a short film, be as perfect as possible.

So, is A Little Easier a perfect short film? 

No. 

Does it mean it's a bad film? 

Not necessarily, either.

First, let’s examine the things that this film does well.

Chelsea Dom, the writer, director, and editor of this film, focuses on the shattered relationship between a Daughter and her Father. The Daughter, played by Hilde Skappel, leaves what one presumes to be her final message for the Father, played by Dan Berkey. Dom, who took on multiple roles behind the camera, does her best to provide a visually interesting take on such a dire situation. Dom contrasts the isolation felt by the dying Father with budding nature shots, and lengthy zooms.

Cinematographer Kelli McGuire had some truly inspiring moments throughout the film. Simple, natural light and shadow combinations really make the audience feel the loneliness and isolation of the Father. McGuire is really good at subtle things and uses that as a tool to tell the story and even add some layers and depth.

Berkey, the only on-screen actor, did a fine job portraying a sick and lonely man living in an almost self-imposed seclusion. At times, you truly felt the struggle the Father was going through in performing simple tasks. I truly wish there was more for him to do in this film besides look meek and ill.

So what does not work?

The story is appealing, but I do not feel it sticks the landing. 

While McGuire uses shadow to make the audience feel the world closing in on the Father, she also included moments of harsh lighting for no real clear reason. One moment in particular sees the Father sitting alone, bathed in this harsh pink light. I am sure it is supposed to represent something, perhaps the Father’s trying to see the world through rose colored glasses, but it felt more like he was sitting just outside a Kenny Rogers Roasters.

But even with the harsh lighting, my biggest issue came with the narration. Though the Father never speaks, the daughter recounts her childhood and her feelings towards her Father in an audio recording. Honestly, I thought the Daughter’s words sounded fake. Her words felt as if they were generated by A.I., and not a woman who is genuinely coming to terms with the fact that she will never reconcile with her father. If they removed the dialogue, this movie would work just as well, but instead Dom uses this to paint a picture of the man that is never seen nor felt. He may be a monster, but the daughter’s words don’t sell it.

I wish I could say that I loved A Little Easier. I really wanted to. There is quite a bit from the seven-minute short that I enjoyed. Berkey did well carrying the film on his back, but is not really provided with much to do. McGuire provides the audience with some pretty beautiful shots, but also makes some questionable decisions when it comes to lighting others. Dom does what she can to provide the audience with a visually interesting film, but struggles with the writing. All in all, if you have seven minutes to kill, I’d say give A Little Easier a look. But if you chose not to, you would not be missing out on much.

Written & Directed by Chelsea Dom.

Starring Dan Berkey & Hilde Skappel.

6 CLAM SHELLS OUT OF 10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE