2023 HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
For the Safety of Theo follows Theo (Darragh O’Toole), a man suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Theo suffers from this disorder so much that simple hookups become almost impossible to stomach, and he must find ways to keep himself safe and healthy. When that OCD becomes too much and it causes riffs between him and others, he will soon find that his OCD is the least of his worries.
I hope and pray that For the Safety of Theo is just a proof of concept, because I want more from this story. It’s not so much that this film feels incomplete, because that’s not really the case–but it feels like it’s only part of a whole. In some ways that’s a testament to what Writer-Director Christopher Macken creates with this film. He creates a character that’s so brilliant, in more ways than one, that viewers can’t help but fall in love with him. I believe there will be a disconnect between older viewers and For the Safety of Theo, because this is something that likely seems foreign to them. It’s a modern story, one that will appeal to my generation and younger–and for those who the film is made, I think it will be hard hitting.
For the Safety of Theo is something of a chaotic film, but that seems to be intentional. Theo’s life is chaotic, there’s no doubt about that–and Macken and Director of Photography Kenzen Takahashi capture that feeling throughout the course of the film. Viewers are pulled into this story, and they feel the pressure and the struggles that Theo feels throughout his day to day. To be pulled into this story, to be able to feel what Theo does is a tremendous feat to accomplish, and I’m not sure that a moment goes by where viewers (at least from younger generations) aren’t able to connect with the titular character. The entire film revolves around Theo, and I think anyone sitting down to watch might expect that based on the name alone. For the Safety of Theo follows Theo closely, and “closely” is the operative word. The film remains intimate, up close and personal really, throughout its entirety–and there is no shift in this. It seems essential, however, that Macken and Takahashi film For the Safety of Theo in this manner, as it invites viewers into this film and really allows it to speak to them.
O’Toole is tasked with bringing Theo to life in a unique fashion (and let’s be perfectly clear, he’s incredible). In a weird way Theo almost seems dead, like he’s just going through the motions, not completely aware of what he’s saying or doing–but simply acting on impulse. Theo is a really strange character to portray, because it’s hard to say that he has a personality; he’s been consumed by his disorder. It seems that he no longer has any likes, lacks substantial motivation, and really spends his days ensuring that he’s healthy (overly healthy that is). For the Safety of Theo is the study of a character that ultimately doesn’t have much substance. Again, however, I believe that Macken has created something that is essential to this film, because by developing this character any further he would have broken down, lost his intended meaning, and ultimately failed to reach viewers.
For the Safety of Theo is a brilliant combination of oddities really, and together they create this quasi-inspirational (in a really weird and fucked up way) that reflects reality in a way that not everyone always sees. Just because Theo’s manic and panicked he’s treated like an asshole throughout the course of the film, but we are always rooting for him, allowing viewers to fully commit to the “oddball” character and root for his success. Without even knowing it we are picking a side; we are almost forced to do so. As we are sucked into Theo’s wild narrative we fall in love with him, and that’s a result of all of the unique choices that Macken makes throughout this film. Every decision pays off, and For the Safety of Theo is absolutely stellar as a result.
P.S. Note to Writer-Director Macken: turn this into a feature-length film, please!
Written & Directed by Christopher Macken.
Starring Darragh O’Toole, Kelly Curran, Dan Sanders-Joyce, Charlie Morgan Patton, & Landon Scott.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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