We’re first introduced to Emma in grade school, when she has her heart broken by a young boy she thought was going to be her valentine. Instead of running away upset, she confronts the boy and gets some pretty clever, and gruesome, revenge on the playground. The next time we see Emma, she’s in college, and as this short film rolls along we find out whether her habit of violently punishing those who spurn her love has continued.
It’s never a good thing when a short film feels long, but this one does. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but after the set up of the opening scene, you expect things to move a bit faster, or perhaps reveal something more sinister than just a kooky romantic who has severe anger management issues. I would’ve liked to get more incidents of Emma addressing those who have broken her heart, perhaps in a montage, so that you get a better feel for the type of vengeful person she’s become. “Love Me Tender” sets the bar so high at the beginning, you can’t help but expect more from this short, but it ultimately doesn’t deliver.
