Short films take us down familiar roads. It’s where those roads lead that makes the difference between a good, bad, or great short film.
Tymon Brown’s A Bad Date in Beacon takes us down that all too familiar road of the first date. An optimistic Charles pulls up to Maddie’s place on his motorcycle for an evening on the town. Maddie’s affectionate and somewhat clingy reception is soured by her realization that the date takes place on a motorcycle.
After a quick stop at a gas station, Maddie confesses her problem with motorcycles and overcomes it by looking to purchase some “legal weed” and/or “legal meth” at the gas station counter.
“…somewhat clingy reception is soured by her realization that the date takes place on a motorcycle.”
The real date begins at the bar. Charles takes the traditional approach by asking Maddie a lot of questions to get to know her. Maddie is put off by the interrogation and is more interested in having fun by way of drinking, playing pool, and being physically close and abrasively honest.
The familiar first date becomes the all-too-familiar awkward one, and writer/director Tymon Brown manages to bring it to a sweet and familiar feel-good end. Yes, and it honestly feels good too.
Tymon gets everything right with his short film. He creates two compelling characters and puts them in a situation we relate to. Charles is the grounded one, and Maddie has the right amount of wild and unpredictable. He brings them in close and pulls them apart several times throughout his tale leading to an ending that feels genuine. A Bad Date in Beacon is good simple storytelling that connects with its audience.
"…to bring it to a sweet and familiar feel-good end."
