Has Paul (Dan Berkey) fed the Fish? Who the hell knows. Does Mary want another drink? Sure, but a small one. And what is up with those neighbors staring all day? These and many other questions will be answered as a married couple discuss the usuals of life.
Fish, in many ways, is typical. Throughout the majority of the short film viewers see a couple discussing the simplicities of life. They talk about having another drink, going to bed early, their nosey neighbors, and who’s called over the course of the past few hours. They feel regular, honest, and completely down to earth. But there’s always something lingering in the shadows of Fish, and it begs viewers to question the reality of what they see throughout the film and the reality of the world in which they live. There is some foreshadowing that exists, but it’s incredibly subtle, and it likely won’t make much sense until the film concludes, but it exists (sometimes in the foreground and sometimes in the background) anyway. David Schultz creates something fluid and well thought out, and it seems that he has a profound understanding of how to structure a thriller.
It’s hard to categorize Fish, but If I had to, I would label it a thriller. There’s something happening–but you’re never quite sure what that something is, and attempting to break down, analyze, and ultimately come to a conclusion in regard to Fish is part of the journey. As I watched the film my mind was racing, knowing there had to be more to the narrative than what initially appeared to me, and the fact that Schultz was able to develop this sort of unease is a testament to his preparation and his vigor.
Perception plays a pivotal role in Fish, and it allows viewers to understand that depending on the angle at which you see something, your understanding of the subject will differ from others’. The constantly changing camera angles dictate what viewers take away from the film, and it guides them down a specific path–one that those viewers will likely need help navigating. Fish is developed in a way which seems impossible for viewers to truly understand the nature of the film until before the film’s final reveal. A massive part of the film’s success comes from the camera work and the lighting.
The twist and eventual shock at the conclusion of Fish reminds me of a famous episode from a popular television show (even mentioning the name of the show would give too much away–but just know that Fish being compared to something of this magnitude is amazing). The mystery that already existed would have been enough for me to appreciate the film as a whole, but this massive shift makes Fish even better. A film that already appealed to many takes a turn and strengthens its ability to reach viewers. Fish is powerful, well-constructed, and just downright incredible.
Written & Directed by David Schultz.
Starring Dan Berkey & Camille Mazurek.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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