Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"Boredom" is an American live action short film from 2015 that runs for a bit over 10 minutes and was written and directed by Stephan Tempier, his only career effort so far. This film is part of a project to support new aspiring filmmakers as it was produced by everybody's recent scapegoat Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and starring Adrien Brody another Oscar winner. It is financed by a whiskey manufacturer and the story here is about Brody's character releasing his inner child and telling his parents that he loves them, but that he never wants to be like them (or anybody else in society) as his self-chosen childishness is his very personal path to happiness. So far so good. Some would be extremely unhappy living like that, so it is all about the subjective approach and character. It should not be seen as a film that tells you what to do and how to act to find happiness. It is just one exhibit. The main character may also miss out on many thinks that he'd love but as he doesn't even know them, it probably works for him. A good premise for a (short) film I'd say. The problem is that this is not the premise here, but it is the film itself and honestly there is something missing for me here. Brody definitely elevates the material, but he still feels slightly wasted as the film ends already when it really should have actually gotten started. And don't say the reason is because it is a short film as you could have fit a great deal more in here with the introduction to the character going on for 4-5 minutes only. Overall, I give this one a thumbs-down. Not recommended.
