This short film left me seriously conflicted; not because it is a bad film, quite the opposite, I found it to be a lot of fun. I’m conflicted because I just didn’t like the resolution, not because it felt false but because it felt so damn true… and that realism has been something that has confused me since I was a small boy.
Without confusing you any further, some background: Stupid Questions tells the story of Lucy (Zelda Williams), a casting agent’s assistant in Los Angeles, who is having a life crisis over whether now is the time to focus on career, relationships, both or neither. Since Los Angeles is notorious for being a real crapshoot when it comes to finding a meaningful relationship, Lucy resorts to using her job to create a fake casting call to find potential dates.
Now, nothing against my acting friends, but this was a bad idea from conception. Everyone who acts in Hollywood is looking for that big break, and it’s not unheard of that folks will try some pretty despicable things to get ahead. In that sense, and through my own cynicism, when Lucy does find someone of interest, my distrust became overwhelming.
But here’s what I’m getting back to, and where my issues with this film have less to do with the film and more to do with me: I’m a nice guy, and I’ve never understood the attraction that smart, beautiful women can have towards guys that, sure, they’re handsome, but also manipulative or even downright a******s. As I said, this goes back to being a young boy watching the girls fawn over the boys that picked on them. I didn’t get it then, I don’t get it now. Since this short plays along those lines a bit, I kept wanting to jump into the film and talk Lucy out of her choices. Damn it, don’t settle for HIM! And yes, I am one of those people who think Duckie should’ve won out at the end of Pretty in Pink (which many of my female friends in college mocked me for thinking).
As you can see, I really got involved emotionally in this one, and for a 30-something minute short, that’s pretty impressive. Zelda Williams as Lucy is engaging, entertaining and a talent I hope to see even more from over the years. Hell, I even want to see more from writer/director Jessie Kahnweiler, though I pray she tosses the nice guys a bone.
“Stupid Questions” very unofficial trailer…. from stupid questions on Vimeo.
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Hi, I liked this review very much..because I think when anyone sets out to make a film..short or long..their basic aim/purpose is to engage the viewer watching it and touch him/her at some level… the simple fact that you got involved in this short film..and it managed to touch some cord in you in its short 30 minutes time..makes it a good made film..and I think “jenny” when she made the pissed off comment above..just don’t get your point..so many “nice guys” have got life partners and happy in life..i guess this “Jenny” got pissed off because your review triggered some bad memories.. anyway..i will surely watch this short whenever and wherever I get it.. Thank you.
Um, Jenny… I gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, where 5 stars would mean it is one of the greatest shorts I’ve ever seen (meaning, I don’t give that out often). I hardly let a “personal grudge” impact my review; it was just a perspective. I am also a happily married man who never thought, or implied, any of the things you’re saying in your comment. “Latent threat”? Yeah, no, not at all. I’m sure those people exist out there, but you’re aiming at the wrong target.
Jeez, what would have happened if I DIDN’T like the short…
“Why won’t all these dumb cunts f**k me? I’m such a nice guy!” I don’t mean to be rude, but… okay, I do mean to be rude, a little bit. It’s sad that you let your personal grudge against women who don’t f**k you when you’re so *nice* impact your review. Being nice is the least you can do. It’s expected. You don’t get a prize for it. And also, it’s not “nice” to feel slighted every time a woman, even a fictional woman, fucks a guy who isn’t you because you’re nice and women should choose their sexual partners on a merit-based system, not on who they’re actually attracted to. What really irks me about the whole “nice guy” thing is the latent threat that if girls don’t start having sex with you, you’ll have no choice but to become “one of those guys”! Look, it isn’t “nice” to go around acting like not being a raving a*****e entitles you to sex with people because dude, it doesn’t.