Psychic Murder – A Short Film Review
Psychic Murder is a dark comedy that tries to do things differently. Some things work really well and others not so much but overall this is a good effort.
What’s It All About
After a young comic finds his stride by joking about his birth defect – a three fingered hand – he finds himself targeted by a ruthless talent agent who will either make his career or destroy his life.
My Opinion
Writer and director Brandon Block brings us his debut short ‘Psychic Murder’ based on a short story by Maxwell Gontarek. For a first outing into the world of Short Film I felt Block gave it a good go. I felt the story was a easy to follow although it left me asking quite a few questions such as whether or not Billy took the offer, who’s Pumas allegiance was to and what was the deal with Billy’s hands? I think that was Brandon’s intention but it did leave me feeling a little frustrated. It would have been nice to get some sort of conclusion.
Billy begins the short on stage giving out some of the worst jokes to a silent audience. They only begin to react when Billy starts to use his own deformity as the butt of the jokes. His deformity are a pair of three fingered cartoon like hands. Now I wasn’t sure if the cartoon hands were intentional, but the seemed very surreal. They will no doubt be the talking point to anyone who watches it. In my opinion it did pull me out of the film slightly. I didn’t think they fit in with the style and setting of the film, they just seemed very out of place. I am not sure if this is what Brandon Block intended but I don’t think the added anything to the short. Secondly, I don’t know what the point of having the comedy hands were other than to be used as the butt of the jokes for Billy to get the audience to react. I thought they were not needed.
Cinematographer Bethany Michalski gave us some interesting shots and I found it a little quirky which did fit in with the style of the film. The dark and slightly muted colour palatte captures certain mood only found in dark and dingey places, which is perfect for the setting of this short and reflective of the story. She helps to build a unique atmosphere which is key to telling this story.
The cast were solid. Timothy J. Cox playing devils advocate as the evil agent wanting to represent Billy. Will Bernish is equally as impressive as Billy. Tatiana Ford in her debut role also impresses.
The soundtrack was very fitting for the short. It danced in and out of the production and really added something extra. It helped to set the unusual mood an awkwardness of the film. Corey Johnson has the difficult task of scoring this short and has pulled it off in style.
This is a bizarre dark comedy that really works in the short film format.
Notable Performances
Timothy J. Cox plays Mickey Goldsmith. Character actor Cox steals every scene he is in. He has a chameleon like ability to transform himself into whatever character he is given. In this short he plays the cold and calculated talent agent Mickey Goldsmith perfectly. His delivery is very natural with sharp edge of menace.
Will Bernish plays Billy. Bernish does a good job of playing the awkward comic. He definitely comes across as uncomfortable.
Tatiana Ford Plays Puma. Tatiana did a great job as Puma, although she doesn’t do much, she certainly makes the most of the time she has to shine.
The Verdict
Psychic Murder is a bizarre film. It is a dark comedy that spends most of its time walking slightly off centre. Some things worked and some didn’t. I found this a watchable short that left me asking questions that weren’t answered.
Read more short film reviews HERE.
