Writer/director Chuck Rose creates a parallel universe between feuding Ellen and Glen by crosscutting each of the character’s therapy sessions. By doing this, we get a funny and insightful look at the two lovers who, if they could ever agree on anything, would be perfect for each other. Ellen’s (Ann Michele Fitzgerald) and Glen’s (Greg Ellis) relationship is headed for trouble. They contradict each other’s actions, and can’t seem to agree on who decided it was a good idea to share an apartment in the first place. Both speak to their therapist about their encounters, their dating lives, and their arguments. Of course, each one blames the other for the root of their problems.
“The Elevator” should be a top candidate to become a feature length film. As a short, though, it doesn’t quite pull itself together in a third act that seems to stretch just a bit too long. Although the relationship is set up nicely, when tension is introduced the film just fast-forwards itself through the couple’s problems. It doesn’t allow for any real issues to develop and relies on banal occurrences as the spark for the couple’s problems. The real problem with Rose’s film, though, is that it desperately tries to act like a feature, even though it exists in the world of short films. That said, it’s still fun to see the performances and style of the film.
