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★★★★
Directed by: #ReeceBeckett
Written by: Reece Beckett
Starring: Reece Beckett and #LukeBeckett
Doing lots of things, lalalalalalal, I do lots of things lalalalalala, I’m Reece Beckett lalalalalala, I made a movie, and wrote a movie, and edited a movie, and starred in a movie....lalalalalalala, I’m Reece Beckett.
Oh I’m sorry, have you not been paying attention? I like triple threats, and once again I have been blessed with another one to write about, the lovely Reece Beckett, and not only do I get to talk about him, but I also have the pleasure of discussing his new short film Gone.
Now I could harp on about my triple threat fetish, which is normally they way my film reviews go, or I could actually be good at my job and talk about the movie, so hold onto your seats as I avoid my usual ramblings to write...well normally.
Gone is a #shortfilm which is a silent study of grief, and in this case the loss of a family member, this mood is entirely set by the opening shots; shots of street lamps, snow and photographs around the home with 2 sons, thematic shots to remind us of memories and the absence of someone in the home, and of course the single photograph of a young son, staring directly at the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
We are almost taken on a tour of the family home, following what can be assumed to be the older brother as he gets ready for school, we are made to feel welcome as a member of the audience and a member of the family, there is no script so these collective shots of the homestead build up a sense of connection for us, they allow us to be invested and care about the boy on screen, about the loss and grief he is facing.
Beckett slices in hope and comfort through this desert of despair and grief, with a simple display of affection from the little brother’s ghost (I assume he is a ghost as when the older brother turns to see who touched him no one is there, so he is either a ghost or an Olympic track runner). A simple hand on the shoulder, a sign of human contact and connection as the older brother clearly is in despair about the loss he is going though.
Beckett has been brave with his almost silent film, as well as subject matter, it speaks to his skill set that he has been able to convey such strong emotions on screen with no dialogue and very little human interaction in the frame, and this short is a credit to his ability to use themed shots and metaphorical representations.
In conclusion: Beckett is a busy bee, Gone is a short film is an interesting exploration into the isolation felt after the loss of a loved one, I can be serious and not crack jokes every couple of paragraphs (which took all my strength and will to achieve)...and jokes will resume next week.
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