Picture Day is the latest short film by writer/director Kelly Pike; the coming-of-age short features Oona Yaffe as Casey, a twelve-year-old thrust into a new school the day before picture day. Her new school is the latest in a long line of new schools, as her dad’s job in the military has the family constantly adapting to new social environments. Along with the tensions of moving, Casey’s family is breaking at the seams as her mother is in ill health, and her family struggles to cope with the stress. Tension ultimately boils over when Casey plans to get her ears pierced. Clocking at 16 minutes, Picture Day tackles gender, family dynamics, and identity against the backdrop of puberty in a new school.
“Casey, a twelve-year-old, is thrust into a new school the day before picture day.”
Ooan Yaffe is superb in the leading role. Being onscreen during every second of run-time, Yaffe carries the film in all its themes. Yaffe’s creative choices give Casey all the insecurity, rebellion, pride, and sense of wanting that is vital for this pre-teen on the edge of adulthood. Pike’s script gives Yaffee plenty to work with as Pike creates milestones from more than pre-teen angst but a genuine longing to belong. The script and performances have notes of Cristina Ricci in Now & Then, along with a little Lady Bird, to keep the short more than relevant for current teens in high drama.
Pike and Yaffe are an excellent duo, and Picture Day showcases their skills in every frame. The narrative and plot devices are familiar territory and tropes for the coming-of-age genre, but the standout performance of Yaffe and the eye for the nuance of Pike keep the story engaging. Picture Day has earned the awards and praise it’s gained during its tenure on the festival circuit. As we enter closer to awards season and Picture Day qualifies for the Academy Awards, I would not be surprised to see the film on the shortlist or even among the nominees.
"…twelve-year-old thrust into a new school the day before picture day."
