George (Timothy J. Cox) and Tom (Joshua Michael Payne) have been together for some time–but the love that they once had for one another seems to be dwindling. The two are headed in different directions–George is employed full-time and seems to have his life in order, and Tom is stuck in his twenties, refusing to give up on his youth and firmly settle down. Transience tells the story of this couple as they struggle with their own realities and whether or not their futures involve the other. While they clearly love one another, life has thrown them a curveball, and they must decide whether to swing away or head back to the dugout.
Transience is black and white and almost entirely silent. It’s interesting to see this film play out due to the unique fashion in which it is filmed. For some time I was confused as to what was happening, and I honestly believed that there was something wrong with my computer speakers. When I finally came to the realization that the silence was intentional I also began to understand that intention behind said silence–and that was deafening. I was uncomfortable throughout the course of the film. I felt uneasy, out of place, and even awkward as I watched George and Tom’s story transpire throughout Transience. The ability of writer-director Tan See Yun to reach his viewers on this very personal level is a testament to his abilities, and I felt very much part of the story as a result of what Yun was able to accomplish.
All of that comes from the silence present throughout Transience, but the other unique aspect, the fact that it’s filmed in black and white, also plays a pivotal role in how viewers receive the film. The reality is that Tom and George aren’t unique–their love is typical and the scenario in which they find themselves, struggling to find the answers to the relationship’s turbulence, is commonplace in relationships today. I’d venture to guess that most viewers would be able to appreciate the sentiment behind Tom and George’s story and that they have experienced something similar in the past. The simplistic colors (or lack thereof) mirror the simplicity of life and monotony of the hardships often faced in relationships. The simplicity of the lack of color and noise throughout Transience is what reels viewers in and allows the story of the two protagonists to resonate with them.
With the absences of sound the two actors are tasked with creating an emotional connection through their physical expression. Transience sees both Cox and Payne shine throughout their performances. In one moment, as Tom looks at George, the screen is filled with emotion, and viewers are able to fully appreciate the struggles of the husbands. The facial expressions of both actors are beautiful–and they clearly wear their hearts on their sleeves throughout the course of the performance, bringing levels of emotion to Transience and giving viewers even more reason to invest in the short film.
Transience is unique in so many ways–particularly due to the fact that silence is the primary vessel by which emotion is conveyed in Yun’s film. However, with the incredible talents of Payne and Cox, the absences of sound, and the lack of color bundled together throughout Transience, viewers have so much to latch onto and appreciate, raising the level of this film and entertaining anyone willing to watch.
Written & Directed by Tan See Yun.
Starring Timothy J. Cox & Joshua Michael Payne.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
Comments