Have you ever felt like you were being followed? Well, that’s the predicament that Terry Kendall (Brit-Charde Sellers) finds herself in, except it’s not just a feeling...it’s a reality. Every day when Terry arrives at work, she runs into the particularly creepy Orange Green (Timothy J. Cox), and he only ever asks for one thing, chicken breasts. Terry Kendall and Orange Green tells the story of paranoia and trusting your loved ones.
The narration by Anna Calabrese is unique for sure. Her tone of voice, the vernacular used, and the amount of energy she possesses when telling Terry’s story breaks the mold of standard narration. She’s fun at times, but she also becomes a tad off-putting at moments throughout Terry Kendall and Orange Green. There seems to be an unnecessary level of energy present in each and every word that she speaks, and while there are moments when that energy is warranted, I believe that it takes away from the potential drama and intensity of Terry’s plights. I appreciate the fact that writer-director Meg Skaff made the decision to include a narrator because, in general, it allows the film to flow more smoothly, but, again, there are moments when Calabrese’s unwarranted enthusiasm does nothing but hinder Terry Kendall and Orange Green.
The thought, the heart, and all of the vigor that went into developing Terry Kendall and Orange Green is impressive. There’s an interesting juxtaposition that exists between comedy and drama, and that relationship keeps viewers on their toes. There is one scene in particular that captures the essence of Skaff’s vision--and that scene includes both Sellers and Kimberly David (Traffy). As the two discuss Terry’s situation a number of things come into play: miscommunication, trust, etc., and they are all incredibly relevant. I find myself regularly questioning the things I see and hear on Facebook, Instagram, etc., because there is so much false information floating around that it can sometimes be difficult to decipher between fact and fiction. Through the conversation between Traffy and Terry these sentiments are brought to life and I was forced to question the reality of the film and each of its components. While the rest of Terry Kendall and Orange Green is intriguing, it is this scene that helps to truly develop drama and mystery--making it the driving force behind the film.
The truth present throughout Terry Kendall and Orange Green is a primary reason why viewers are able to appreciate the film. That truth resonates with viewers and allows them to connect with the characters on screen, particularly Terry and Traffy--this is not me saying that Cox does a poor job of portraying Orange Green, but simply that his character is much more difficult to connect with. I very much enjoyed both Terry and Traffy throughout Terry Kendall and Orange Green as I saw pieces of myself in both of them. This is a testament not only to David and Seller’s portrayal of their characters but also to the prowess of Skaff’s writing.
There are some issues that linger throughout the course of Terry Kendall and Orange Green, but the bulk of the film entertains quite well. I appreciate the acting, but it’s the sentiment and the development of the characters that entertained me the most and allowed the film to resonate with me. Skaff is wonderful so early in her career and I believe that she possesses the ability to create more entertaining and influential films. With a sense of existentialism present throughout Terry Kendell and Orange Green, the film is sure to entertain, and equally sure to force you to question yourself.
Written & Directed by Meg Skaff.
Starring Brit-Charde Sellers, Timothy J. Cox, Kimberly David, & Anna Calabrese.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
Comments