What Men Do For Love is a gripping neo-noir of vulnerability and brutal honesty about achieving a healthy love life. Writer-director Sai Karan Talwar’s short film is not a noir of prosy intrigue but one that dabbles into the complexity of men’s sexual desires.
The film follows an elderly dentist, Charles (Jerome Wright), who kidnaps a young bartender, Martin (Morgan Scriven), for having an affair with his wife. The older man’s goal is to torture the other so he can make a dramatic statement to his wife. Charles found out about the affair through security cameras at the local bar. He’s about to torment Martin with a piece of dental equipment and will continue to do so until his victim reveals the truth behind the scandalous situation.
“…an elderly dentist…kidnaps a young bartender, Martin, for having an affair with his wife.”
Strong performances hold What Men Do For Love together. Wright portrays Charles as both pompous and fragile. Tackling these contrasting traits is done perfectly, as the acting is not overdone. Scriven is super charismatic. He brings confidence and edge to the role. Hopefully, the actor gets a chance to play more complicated macho men in future projects. Both actors keep the audience’s attention in this dialogue-heavy film. Joshua Carrington Birch’s black-and-white cinematography adds to its cynical noir tone.
Although some of the dialogue is rushed, Wright and Scriven deliver excellent performances. What Men Do For Love is a great film for fans of the noir genre and those who appreciate talented actors.
"…a great film for fans of the noir genre and those who appreciate talented actors."
