Mark Gantt’s short film Donor focuses on a couple on the verge of a huge life event. Sammy (Alexis Boozer) is about to donate her eggs to another couple, and her commitment-phobic-until-now boyfriend John (Trevor Algatt) is not sure it’s the right thing to do. Over the course of their morning, the two go back and forth on everything from faith to fertility as they try to reconcile their feelings and fears.
A film like this is a straight-up acting showpiece, as it captures a moment in a day and lets the camera soak in the performances on display. Alexis Boozer and Trevor Algatt do an incredible job with the short time they’re given to make an impression in this film. The dialogue, which could be considered a little too stilted or on-the-nose on the page, comes across as natural when delivered by the duo; the film’s emotional gear-shifts never feel forced or false.
In the end, Donor is powered by performance above all, and the actors involved don’t disappoint in the slightest. If this were but part of a larger story, I would’ve kept watching. As it is, though, it’s an emotionally strong short film.
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