Rebecca (Rebecca Rapaport-Cole) has plans to meet her father for dinner. She’s excited to see her dad and catch up, but dad, Paul (Dan Berkey), has some news. Paul brings along a friend that quickly throws a wrench in Rebecca’s expectations. My Dad and Bob Todd is the story of Rebecca coming to terms with something entirely new. Does she have it in her to accept change?
Early in My Dad and Bob Todd it becomes clear to viewers, before it’s clear to Rebecca, what the situation is regarding Paul and Bob Todd (Chris Young)–and that creates a sense of discomfort and awkwardness that transcends the film in its entirety, and I love it. The awkwardness was almost tangible, and viewers can feel the intensity of the situation in which Rebecca finds herself rising, slowly but surely, and gripping viewers. Writer-director Mark Clauburg develops tone and mood with great aplomb, and he has a clear understanding of how to reach his viewers on an emotional level.
It’s difficult to understand what exactly the vision is in My Dad and Bob Todd, as there appears to be two semi-related narratives playing out side-by-side, but I’m not entirely sure if they truly complement one another. One half of the short film explores the relationship between Rebecca and Paul as they attempt to come to terms with the situation in which they find themselves, but the other expresses the ventures of Bob as he meets a stranger at a bar. While the two stories eventually converge, it doesn’t feel like Bob’s half of the journey really makes a difference in the grand scheme of My Dad and Bob Todd. With all of that being said, however, the primary narrative in which Rebecca and Paul converse and attempt to find common ground is beautiful. The sentiment present throughout the course of this story is wonderful, touching, and full of life. I genuinely appreciate what Clauburg does with this aspect of his film, but I’m afraid that the secondary story steals some of its thunder, watering down the film, as a whole, to a degree.
The cast present in My Dad and Bob Todd is a uniquely talented one. There are four individuals in question here–the three that I’ve previously mentioned and Taylor Allen (Jeffrey Markus). Each one of these actors (not just the characters) are quirky. That quirkiness translates well to their characters on screen, and they create a sense of innocence that exists throughout the length of My Dad and Bob Todd. Through that aforementioned quirkiness a degree of familiarity shines through and allows viewers to appreciate all that each of the actors have to offer. Something that I quickly noticed about Rapaport-Cole, Berkey, and Young is that they have a wonderful chemistry. It almost feels as if the trio has been working together for years, and their ability to connect with one another on screen creates a bond between the acting team and viewers as well.
There are some hiccups along the way–like trying to fit too much into this thirteen-minute narrative that hinders the overall experience of My Dad and Bob Todd, but overall the film feels fresh and fun. Clauburg clearly does his best to stick to simplicity, and given the subject matter, something visually spectacular may have been a tad overbearing. Clauburg captures the reality of Paul and Rebecca’s situation, and what he brings to life on screen certainly resonates with viewers. Even through the discomfort, there is something beautiful about My Dad and Bob Todd’s primary narrative–and the film as a whole works wonderfully as a result.
Written & Directed by Mark Clauburg.
Starring Rebecca Rapaport-Cole, Dan Berkey, Chris Young, Taylor Allen, Joelle Zazzarino, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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