Hard Truths

Hard Truths is a supremely perceptive drama about the dark side of the modeling industry. We follow the characters of Peter and Hope: Peter is an agent, and Hope his client. This confrontational piece tells an important and uncomfortable story about discrimination against body-types within modeling; the ways in which talented people can be victims of a kind of prejudice relating to one’s appearance. It’s a scary thing, and a hugely important topic of discussion for a short film, so it’s absolutely fantastic to see such a personal narrative being brought to the screen. There’s so much substance to the movie, and it’s undeniably thought-provoking; however, the manner in which it’s staged and constructed from a visual standpoint unfortunately poses its fair share of problems. There are some intriguing strengths and weaknesses present in this movie, and it boils down to this: the screenplay and performances of Hard Truths are simply phenomenal; yet, the direction and editing prove to be slightly clunky and unrefined.

There’s a truly authentic quality to the screenplay. The nature of the dialogue and the nuances of the situation feel fully grounded in reality. Thus, when it comes to the turning point of the film – in which the “hard truths” must come to light – it feels all the more heartbreaking. An incredibly complex and impressive element of all this is how, from the beginning, we are in fact following the character of Peter instead of Hope. Not only does this provide a unique perspective on the scenario, but it also means that we as the audience question the core intentions of the character we’ve been following from the beginning. Hope, on the other hand, is a character who we can instantly empathise with through her characterisation. Therefore, when it comes to the extended conversation, the dynamics at play feel rich with subtext. This is helped along by two terrific performances -- through their mannerisms, the viewer can really sense a history between them; a professional relationship which has had its ups and downs.

Allow us now to discuss the technical. In filmmaking, rules can often be (in my opinion) more of a burden than a benefit when it comes to creativity. Yet, if there’s one rule which should hold influence over staging and direction (whether you’re adhering to it or breaking it), it’s the 180-degree rule. Sadly, the line is broken many times without reason – particularly in the early moments of the picture – and this holds the film back from possessing the kind of visual flow you’d hope for. By not acknowledging this important part of spatial geography, the sequences become slightly less watchable. Additionally, there’s an excess of headroom in some compositions which could be easily fixed; and superfluous cuts to quick close-ups during conversations feel jarring. But despite this, a lot of the direction is great and well thought through.

I don’t mean to nitpick because this is an incredibly intelligent movie. Therefore, I hope that these great artists keep writing and performing. Direction and editing technique take time to learn, but Hard Truths showcases great instinct. The acting and screenplay really do display a unique talent – deeply emotional acting creating empathy in the viewer, and hugely significant discussion of prevalent issues through the narrative. It’s a fascinating work and one with much to say.