Science-fiction is well-represented at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival with the short film “The Escape,” written and directed by Academy Award winner Paul Franklin.  This is Franklin’s directorial debut starring Julian Sands, Art Malik, Olivia Williams, and Ben Miller, but it’s sure not to be his last.  His vision and ability to create an absolutely mesmerizing scenario that ends with a wildly realistic punch, gives us the hope that Franklin will continue writing and directing.

Watch the trailer here

In a time not far in the future, an ordinary man seeks to live out his wildest fantasy, giving him a chance to live in a different world, “a place where a man could be free.”  Lambert (Sands) finds this outlawed memory travel agency, reminiscent of “Total Recall,” and learns about the possibilities of experiences and memories he will have.  Lambert is willing to give Kellan (Malik), everything he has to experience this escapism, but the price he pays is more than just monetary.

Lambert is an ordinary man, living an ordinary life, with an ordinary family.  He’s bogged down in the routine of everyday life.  His wife and he seem to be experiencing difficulties, much like any other couple married for a couple of decades.  He is the father of two children and while you can see the love he has for them, you can also feel how they zap his energy.  Life has become monotonous with nothing to satisfy him and nothing to look forward to.  In other words, he’s just like everyone else in this world.  “In the life we live these days, there’s little hope for dreaming,” says Kellan.

This is an exquisitely complicated scenario, one that we can all place ourselves.  Franklin places this typical family in London where unprecedented flooding is taking place, perhaps a result of climate change.  He brings us inside the thoughts and emotions of Lambert as he attempts to weigh the pros and cons of taking this possible memory trip.  The dark and dank environment of Kellan’s surroundings juxtaposed with the beauty and saturated colors of life mark a symbolic representation of what lies ahead.  Franklin gives us ominous foreshadowing of what’s to come, but we don’t understand it all until the very end.

Sands is the star of this film, giving an emotional performance of a nearly broken man.  We feel his pain and empathize with his fears.  His interaction with his wife, his empty reassurances to his son, and his lost soul pours from his heart.  It is the final scene that we can put this hauntingly disturbing yet realistic puzzle together where we find guilt and terror—emotions worth escaping.  Supporting Sands is Malik’s portrayal of Kellan.   His almost sinister yet somehow caring and sincere affect create a compelling combination with Sands character.  Williams embodies the role of wife and mother with natural skill and together, this cast gives us a memorable film.

As it is with many short films, “The Escape” could easily (and should be) a full-length feature film.  The characters’ development, while complete for the short, could add another level of interest and complexity.  Alas, I cannot give away any spoilers to this intellectually stimulating and imaginative story, but the possibilities for a feature film are definitely there.

For more information about seeing this film at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, go to Tribeca Film Guide

giving where brings Kellan (Malik)

“A place where a man could be free, free from the life from which you are chained.”

Finally, audiences can see what will be one of the best love stories this year.  (“Maudie” is a close rival.)  Premiering at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and then the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, “Their Finest” is getting a wider release in theaters this week.  Starring Gemma Arterton (Catrin), Sam Claflin (Tom), and Bill Nighy (Ambrose Hilliard), and directed by Lone Scherfig, this movie-making love story set amidst the bombing of WWII as it pushes the envelope of women’s equality will capture your heart as you shed a few tears and have a few chuckles.  While the entire cast shines, Nighy finally gets a chance to show us the depths of his talents.  “Their Finest” is truly one of the finest films to see this year.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Catrin (Arterton) and injured war veteran and aspiring artist Ellis Cole (Jack Huston) live in cramped, dingy quarters in the center of London.  Making ends meet in this environment is difficult as Ellis’ career just isn’t taking off.  In search of a new job, Catrin lands a screenwriter’s position, initially unbeknownst to her, in order to write “the slop” aka women’s dialogue.  Accepting the position, at significantly less than a man would be paid, Catrin discovers a new-found sense of independence and influence, but there is a price to be paid.

Of course, in this time period, women are not considered equals and working twice as hard with just as much talent (if not more), proves to be exactly what Catrin needs.  Her eyes are opened to the possibilities and opportunities as she brings a new perspective to the silver screen—women as the heroes.  Her eyes are also opened to love in its true sense as she and the reluctant co-writer Tom Buckley (Claflin) work side by side.  Catrin’s ability to understand people allow her to gain the confidence of the waning star Ambrose Hilliard (Nighy).  While it is a subdued and period-appropriate love story, it is Nighy’s character that brings out the laughs.  Hilliard is the aging actor who denies what he sees in the mirror.  He’s high-maintenance and condescending, but as the story develops, we find that pretentious exterior melting away thanks to Catrin’s cleverness.  Carl Lundbeck (Jake Lacy) also gives us reason to laugh aloud with his All-American good looks but no ability to act in this made for London film.

Clever is exactly the word to describe “Their Finest.”  The novel upon which the screenplay is based is written by Lissa Evans, “Their Finest Hour and a Half.”  Gaby Chiappe developed the screenplay and Lone Scherfig found a way to bring this dramatic, charming, and often-times funny love story to life.  Written, directed, and starring women, the film gives viewers a new perspective on female-driven films.  “Their Finest” has heart and depth allowing the humorous aspects of life to perfectly balance the tragedies experienced.  It’s some of the best “slop” in any love story I’ve ever heard.  While the film centers upon Catrin, that’s not to say that the remainder of the cast lacks depth and development—quite the contrary.  Every role augments one another and the viewer gains a complete understanding of the time, the characters, and truly connects with each of them.

Arterton’s reserved performance creates the subtleties expected for the 1940’s.  She portrays a woman who is smart yet still learning her way amidst a changing and very dangerous world.  She is simply captivating in every scene as we find empathy and understand each and every emotion.  Claflin isn’t your typical leading man, however, he too finds a way to gain your trust and your heart.  In this old-fashioned love story, we are transported into the film, rooting for the two to allow their feelings to be revealed to themselves and live happily ever after.  Nighy’s performance is incomparable.  His character is complex and superficial all together.  It’s a difficult role that only someone as seasoned and talented as Nighy could possibly pull off.  His off-kilter humor creates a sense of love for this initially rather pompous man.  While he is a supporting character, he is vital to the film.

“Their Finest” is a film that had I not have seen, I would have missed out on one of the best films of the year.  How often do you find a beautiful love story with a female lead filled with tempered romance and humor set in a time of war?  Never…until now.  This cinematically brilliant film allows the story to shine among extraordinarily talented actors.  Of course none of this would be possible without an equally brilliant script and direction.  “Their Finest” is our finest in theaters now.

4/4 Stars