With a chance to reconnect and hopefully rekindle a relationship, Paul Myzia’s short film Olive warns against reopening old wounds. Meeting at their favorite diner, Scott (Reynaldo Pacheco) has invited Samantha (Virouna Elia) over for lunch. The pair has been separated for six months, and Scott feels that despite all this time apart, they were meant to be together all along. Samantha has her reservations but is open to the possibility.
When their server, Alexia Valente, messes up Samantha’s order, the cracks in their relationship begin to surface. Scott is deeply invested in making the relationship work. Still, Samantha continues to express her frustration with Scott, as he consistently avoids the issues that led to their separation in the first place. When Scott presents a sentimental gift to Samantha, it is met with an unexpected response.
“…the cracks in their relationship begin to surface…”
After watching Olive, my head is still spinning in a good way. There is a twist, but the first act of the film may feel a bit too familiar if you’ve ever tried to rekindle a romance. We tend to wrestle between finding one’s soulmate and remembering what caused the break-up in the first place. Pacheco and Elia are perfect as Scott and Samantha, conveying the right emotions and subtext to make this interaction authentic.
Then there’s the twist. For spoilers’ sake, I won’t tell you what it is, but Myzia’s editing does precisely what it needs to do, keeping us on our toes and enjoying the ride. Also, who is this Olive person in the first place?
Olive gently lures us into familiar territory before yanking the rug out with a perfectly-timed twist, leaving you questioning whether second chances are ever worth the risk. Paul Myzia has crafted a deceptively simple lunch date into an effective bait-and-switch. It’s short, sharp, and unforgettable—like a breakup text you weren’t expecting.
For more information, visit Olive‘s official website.
"…short, sharp, and unforgettable—like a breakup text you weren’t expecting..."
