Written and directed by Jessie Weber Kass, A Nice Lady is a 16-minute short film that offers layered characters, emotional undercurrents, and an intimate look at connection and vulnerability.
While jogging through Central Park, lonely artist Gwen Harbinger (Molly Bernard) meets streetwise Hilary Finch (Pearl Amanda Dickson), who is hanging out with her boyfriend, Dom McAllister (Aaron Costa Ganis). The two have a brief, yet awkward exchange. Days later, Gwen nearly runs into traffic during a run, and Dom pulls her to safety. Grateful, Gwen invites Hilary to her luxury apartment, eventually offering both her and Dom a place to stay while they search for something permanent.
Intrigued by the couple, Gwen is drawn to their bohemian, free-spirited lifestyle. During this time, Gwen was reminded of her experience with Zephyr Sheppard (Lucas George Nieves), a predatory art instructor from her past, a predatory art instructor from her past. These encounters spark newfound energy and inspiration in her work, leading to unexpected success.
“…drawn to their bohemian, free-spirited lifestyle.”
However, Gwen’s lingering trauma, fear of intimacy, and self-sabotaging tendencies begin to unravel the fragile connections she built with Hilary and Dom. As she grows more entangled in Hilary and Dom’s world, the same impulses that once kept her isolated threaten to undo both her personal growth and her renewed artistic drive.
In A Nice Lady, we see how art and trauma almost work together, as life is not always a Thomas Kinkade painting. Writer/director Jessie Weber Kass examines the choices this artist makes as a way of coping with the PTSD she experienced with her mentor. At first, Gwen is withdrawn, keeping everyone at arm’s length, and when she finally allows someone to come in, she moves in the exact opposite direction, finding “life” again.
A Nice Lady succeeds thanks to director Jessie Weber Kass’ storytelling ability. Right from the start, we understand Gwen’s state of mind, and as the missing pieces of her past fall into place, her character arc builds with her interactions with Hilary and Dom. Pathos is the right word to use for Gwen as the short gives us a blend of sympathy, sadness, and poignancy by the end.
A Nice Lady blends emotional honesty and subtle tension, creating a story that lingers long after it’s over.. Jessie Weber Kass crafts a character study that balances beauty, fragility, and the messiness of human connection.
"…life is not always a Thomas Kinkade painting."
