Nathan (Timothy J. Cox) is an alcoholic. So, his wife, Hannah (Thea McCartan), puts together a meeting in order to discuss his issue and potentially get his life on track. One of the group here to speak with Nathan is Gary From Accounting (Mark Grenier)--who Hannah invited by accident. The conversation, as expected, becomes awkward, and poor Gary must struggle through the ordeal with people with whom he is unfamiliar.
While the primary focus of the story appears to be the addiction that Nathan faces on a daily basis, the reality is that Gary is the one driving the film forward. As the title expresses Gary From Accounting is an integral cog in the machine that is this film, and he delivers beautifully. Much of what he does is reacting to the others on screen, and his facial expressions alone are enough to say that he was successful throughout the film. The way in which he reacts to the comments and the other actors is laugh-out-loud funny, and I found myself nearly in stitches during certain instances throughout the short film. Gary From Accounting allows viewers to temporarily forget the hardships of life and focus entirely on Grenier’s acting.
In order for viewers to be able to focus on Gary throughout the course of the film, Jesse Bronstein, director of cinematography, has to perform at a high level. It’s clear that the budget for this short film is low, and that the cast and crew don’t have too much to work with in terms of cash (and, honestly, if the budget isn’t low it certainly seems that way). With that understanding viewers expect that the cinematography may be lacking and that aspects of Gary From Accounting may be difficult to absorb; that is not the case. Bronstein and his cohorts (even though the visual quality of the film is low) are able to capture the brilliance of Grenier (and the others). Even while the emotional conversation about Nathan’s alcoholism ensues, Gary remains the focal point of the camera, and his prowess lightens up the intensity of the film and pulls viewers into Gary From Accounting.
Gary From Accounting is appropriately labeled a comedy, but there’s more to the film than just humor. There’s a level of drama that exists both in the foreground and background of the film, but viewers must read between the lines in order to appreciate what is being done here. There is an emotional component that often takes place off screen, but I’m here to tell you that the sentiment expressed here is just as riveting as the comedic aspect of director Daniel Lofaso’s Gary From Accounting.
The story of Gary, Nathan, and the others is layered, and in a way that all viewers are able to appreciate. There’s the obvious element of comedy that exists throughout the entirety of Gary From Accounting, but beyond that (in a semi-hidden fashion) exists the dramatic element that–much like the comedy, but in an entirely different fashion–pulls in viewers and allows them to appreciate the film. Gary From Accounting is beautifully scripted, wonderfully acted (particularly by the titular Gary–Grenier), and has the ability to resonate with viewers in more than one way. It’s a story that not only makes you laugh, but makes you think as well. Lofaso has found true success with Gary From Accounting, and I’d very much like to see what he–along with his cast and crew–does in the future.
Directed by Daniel Lofaso.
Written by Phoebe Torres.
Starring Mark Grenier, Timothy J. Cox, Thea McCartan, Jake Lipman, Christopher John, & Rhea Kottakis.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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