TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2023 REVIEW! A fashion model finds a renewed hope in love thanks to a one-night-stand in the short film, My Eyes Are Up Here, directed by Nathan Morris and written by Aminder Virdee and Arthur Meek. Uber-busy fashion model Sophia (Jillian Mercado) wakes up one morning in the bed of Tom (Ben Cura). We quickly learn that this highly sought-after model is also disabled.
Apparently, the two were so drunk the night before that neither remembers how they got Sophia’s wheelchair up Tom’s apartment steps. Realizing that Tom was “unprotected” the night before, Sophia needs to get to a drug store for a Plan-B pill. The valiant Tom goes to extraordinary lengths to get Sophia there. Along the way, he sees what she goes through in terms of the general public’s prejudice and ignorance regarding people with disabilities.
“…Tom was ‘unprotected’ the night before, Sophia needs to get to a drug store…”
Two stories are being told in My Eyes Are Up Here. I’ve mentioned the first already, as Sophia is constantly being shamed for her disability, whether out in the open or through passive-aggressive banter. The bullying is quite tragic, and wow, is this still happening today? The other story is about Tom and how this average-looking doughy-shaped dude opens Sophia to the idea that there are guys out there who, while ignorant, are eager to please the ones they like and fancy. There’s definitely a love story here.
My Eyes Are Up Here is a sweet story with a message behind it. Said message comes from a place of love and understanding and doesn’t hit you on the head like a sledgehammer. So maybe it’s possible to give people a chance.
My Eyes Are Up Here screened at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
"…a sweet story with a message behind it."
