-Written by Kyle Bain.
2024 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Two parents’ worst nightmare comes to be when both of their children are bitten by a venomous snake. With only enough antidote for one child, the parents must make the impossible decision of who lives and who dies. While they say parents don’t have Favourites, it’s time for the parents’ true colors to come forward, for them to express which child is theirs and who gets to live on.
Quickly drawn in by an intense, heavy score–I was sure of what was to come. Favourites is powerful in its opening moments, and the score, again, is the shining star as things kick off. As the intensity builds, and viewers become privy to the fact that only one child can survive–the music only becomes more powerful. It ultimately acts as a character, one that’s sole purpose is to develop the tone of the film and appeal to viewers in that sense. Wildly successful in this regard, Favourites is off to a grand start, one that helps to carry the film through to its conclusion.
Suddenly, however, the tides turn. The narrative shifts abruptly, and the tone along with it. Writer-Director Nick Russell and Co-Writer Nick Musgrove construct something that works with swifty change, that thrives in those moments–but, once again, sound is the thing that helps to deliver that shift in tone. A sudden ding takes us out of the hellish scape that surrounds our lead characters Justine (Sibylla Budd) and Keith (Stephen Curry) and into a world of comedy, one that greatly juxtaposes the initial tone of the film in a massive way.
Suddenly we are in a place full of awkward comedy and conversation, and the intensity that once existed has fully dissipated. Favourites becomes an entirely different film at this point, and in just five short minutes, viewers experience two wildly different stories. That’s an incredible feat!. Not one, but two vignettes are developed in such a short amount of time–really only tied together by the characters.
The characters are what tie everything together, even beyond the score. The score is wonderful, we’ve established that–but it doesn’t necessarily blend the separate storylines (I also don’t believe that it needs to). The characters exist to bridge the gap between drama and comedy, and Favourites thrives as a result of the casting and the actors' prowess throughout.
A very concise film in Favourites manages to develop two cohesive and almost separate stories–and I found each of them appealing. Thoroughly developed, brilliantly paced, effectively scripted, Favourites works on so many levels from beginning to end. A true pleasure to watch. It only takes five minutes to watch–don’t waste your time, watch it now!
Directed by Nick Russell.
Written by Nick Musgrove & Nick Russell.
Starring Stephen Curry, Sibylla Budd, Tony Briggs, Maria Angelico, etc.
8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
