-Written by Bryan Miller.
2024 HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
His Mother tells the heart-wrenching story of a car ride. That’s right. A car ride. The destination does not matter, but everything that transpires within does. Julia Miller (Bethany Anne Lind) is a mother in desperate need of so many things, each of which revolves around her son, Harrison (Ben Irving). When we first meet Julia she is on hold with the local sheriff’s office, which sets the tone for the remainder of the film and establishes early on that something serious is about to happen. As I said, the film is set entirely within Julia’s car. Her interactions with other actors are only over the phone and as the film progresses and the tension of the situation begins to unravel, you truly feel how closed in and closed off Julia is from the outside world. Julia’s sole focus is her son, played by Irving, though only in voice, and while she is desperate to find him, it does not seem that anyone, not the local sheriff’s office, or her ex-husband, seems to care despite her knowing that something terrible is about to transpire. Everything that happens slowly builds to the film’s soul-crushing conclusion and you feel it every step of the way.
This short film lives and dies by its main star. Sure, there are several other actors that we hear as Julia makes one desperate call after the other, but she is all of our focus. To say that Lind was amazing is simply an understatement. Lind is incredible. Taking the entire film on her back, being asked to emote so many different emotions all within the confines of her automobile is no easy feat, and she does it exquisitely. You as the viewer feel everything she is going through. Every single emotion that a mother could feel knowing that her son may do something that will change their lives forever. The sheer hopelessness felt by her character is perfectly performed by Lind. She is simply captivating and I sincerely hope this performance jettisons her into whatever celebrity stratosphere that she wishes for, because she deserves it.
The other most important individual in this short film is the Writer-Director, Maia Scalia. As this is her first time behind the camera, I highly doubt it will be her last. Her screenplay is well-written, with dialogue that never comes off as clunky or cheesy. Scalia is capable of maintaining that intense level of uneasiness and anxiety throughout the entire car ride, progressively building the tension with each passing minute, and doing so within one single location and with one performer is phenomenal.
On the more technical side, the music for this film was also fabulously composed by Eli Keszler, who helps aid the viewer in feeling the desperation felt by Lind. The music produced by Keszler builds a sense of foreboding. Though this film is not a horror film, the music helps you feel the terror Julia is feeling. The cinematography by Matt Clegg and the editing by Pietro Scalia also help to develop the claustrophobic feel of being in this car while never coming off as dull or unnecessary. Every single shot edges this film along, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat.
All in all, His Mother is a fabulous short film that takes the viewer on a tragic car ride that leads to only one possible location that no parent will ever wish to venture.
Written & Directed by Maia Scalia.
Starring Bethany Anne Lind, Ben Irving, D.W. Moffett, Evan Hall, Aleah Quiñones, etc.
10 Stars out of 10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW
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