SHORT FILM REVIEW
POLAROID
The truth can only come to light by uncovering one thing: a Polaroid.
WHEN YOU HAVE LOTS and lots of money, life can become tiresome. At least that's what Arthur (Adam Paul Hunter) has come to learn through his life, and he and his wife have a peculiar arrangement. Although they are happily married, the couple has designated a night of the week where they can indulge their fantasies. Tonight happens to be Arthur's night, but life has a habit of throwing the unexpected into the fold.
... AND THE SECOND ATTEMPT AT CALLING ARTHUR'S WIFE SEALED THE DEAL.
A knock on the door seems like a harmless enough start to an adventurous evening, but as Arthur answers, it is not the lady he is expecting. It's not a lady at all, and instead, standing on the threshold is an average-looking man who claims to be looking for Arthur's wife. The man, Sam (Chris Jehnert), looks harmless enough, and although irritated at this seeming mixup, Arthur remains civil and charming, inviting Sam inside as he attempts to contact his wife.
As Sam makes himself comfortable and Arthur leaves a message on his wife's answering machine, I became aware that something else may be going on. It was around this time that Polaroid had begun slowly showing its true colors. So when Arthur reenters the room and begins conversing with Sam, I already knew something was up, and there might be more to Arthur's odd behavior. Once Sam started really talking, things clicked into place, and the second attempt at calling Arthur's wife sealed the deal. 
THERE WAS A LOT MORE TO ARTHUR AND HIS WIFE'S SPECIAL NIGHTS, AND HIS SECRET WAS QUICKLY BECOMING OBVIOUS
The pace was picking up, and the subtle hints were becoming much more obvious. There was a lot more to Arthur and his wife's "special" nights, and Arthur's secret was quickly becoming obvious. More interesting was that Sam seemed to know quite a bit more than I was originally led to believe, and his potential "victim" status was quickly turned on its head. It was looking more and more like the real victim here was Arthur himself, and in case I haven't made my point clear... Arthur and his wife's special nights consisted of murdering their guests. Something that they've been doing for quite a while. When you have lots and lots of money, life can be boring... so what's a couple to do to spice things up? Kill. Only this time, it seems Arthur is in someone else's crosshairs and for very good reason. I must confess that I enjoyed Polaroid quite a bit and that's in no small part thanks to the performances.
POLAROID WAS A GUILTY PLEASURE THAT I WOULD GLADLY REPEAT
Polaroid is all about the "feel" and performances of the film, and it all feels so perfect in a very wrong sense. The two characters Arthur and Sam, always feel on the verge of a duel. A classic contest between two gentlemen... all prim and proper-like. The realization of what the Polaroid's contained is something you already know is coming, but the way the film progresses makes you want to watch to the end anyhow. Dante Aubain pits two dangerous men against each other in a tight space where each person thinks they are the superior mind. It's a great game of skewed chess that is far more interesting than you probably think. Polaroid doesn't contain a lot of action and instead focuses on character drama. It was the right decision, and Dante Aubain has submitted a winner. Polaroid was a guilty pleasure that I would gladly repeat.
Callum Reds Polaroid | Official Trailer from Dante Aubain on Vimeo. DROP A COMMENT, RATE THE MOVIE, OR SHARE?
|
