ABE AND BECKY

“Look into my eyes
I’ve seen it all
Hand in hand
Together we fall
We’ll sing and dance
And we’ll find romance
And we’ll stroll to the edge of the world”
–   Faith No More, “Edge of the World”

It’s the end of the world and Abe and Becky (dQniel Kaufman and Carob Bartholomew) are two strangers who have been trapped in a basement a long, long time. While they seem to have plenty of food and water, the simple fact that their very existence is playing out in a tiny room seems to be wearing on them. That or they’re way past the point of being worn down by the total lack of privacy, the abundance of fear and the possibility that they very well may die in this basement. They’ve developed a sarcastic wit with one another but through that veneer of cynicism, a basic want of freedom or of knowing what’s going to happen shines through. “Abe and Becky” is a solid short film from writer/director/star dQniel Kaufman that starts off fearfully stagey but eventually gently pulled me into a state of interested compassion for what might happen to these two people.

I admire films that can strip away exposition and fanciful speeches and just keep it real for the viewer. We never find out what has happened to the world above Abe and Becky nor how they were thrown together. We enter the action as late as possible for this thread of their story and I appreciate that. This is also a finely nuanced tale that takes place in one location featuring only two people. This too is always interesting to see when done well and, fortunately, the acting here is very good, as is the writing. Abe and Becky have an interesting relationship that has been forged through trauma and the need for companionship but both seem willing to admit they may very well be doomed. How they each respond to this is interesting as well.

“Abe and Becky” isn’t a perfect short film, but I was definitely along for the ride. Even though I doubted some of the reactions the characters had and felt like it got a tad too saccharine as it went on, I was never bored. Plus, these two characters need to have a change in their arc and in the end I’m glad Kaufman chose the way he went with the story. I also love a simply told story that takes place within a larger frame. Kaufman and his crew clearly shot this film for next to nothing but it feels like a big story about the end of the world, even though it’s just two people in a small room.

This film was submitted for review through our Submission for Review system. If you have a film you’d like us to see, and we aren’t already looking into it on our own, you too can utilize this service.