If you watch short films for any duration you become accustomed to the variances in the quality of the films and the talents of the film makers. Often one item or the other lacks that “something” that will propel those involved towards greater things in the industry, but still there is often plenty to enjoy with the unique stories or clever uses of content. This is why when you get a short that is completely filled with quality it takes you by surprise.
“Lap Dancing” is an example. The production values, the story, and even the acting were all uniform in their professionalism, and the best part of all was they were all delivered with subtlety. No camera tricks, no over-the-top emoting, and no audacious plot contortions were needed. Rob Fitzgerald is featured (in a story he wrote) as a strip club patron in a plot that is straight forward and humorous and offers up an even funnier twist in the end.
Fitzgerald stars as Riley, an everyman who is sitting in the audience and watching a dancer as he delivers a monologue about the girl on stage. He praises her for her choice of a song by The Doors and goes on to comment how the film “Apocalypse Now” was actually a very sexy movie. Director Brent Huff slowly pans to reveal Riley is actually talking to Ginger, another dancer at the club. While not a slobbering predator Riley is infatuated with Ginger and his entreaties for a simple date eventually lead to a business arrangement: she’ll concede to meeting him for coffee if he purchases a lap dance.
The lap dance itself is more touching than erotic, but it still deepens Riley’s affection for Ginger. Into the next morning, as he tries to collect on their deal, she rebuffs him in a cold manner, but moments later the woman becomes the one who is now in need of his help. At this time the woman begins to betray things hidden behind her façade, and then the hilarious closing shot uncovers that Riley is the one hiding even more secrets.
The plot clicked perfectly while Huff’s direction, and the cinematography, effortlessly revealed the story. These are people who have more things coming in the future, and here is hoping we will see those things soon.
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