I always try to come to films without preconceptions and with an open mind; particularly with short films where one does not have lots of hype and publicity and professional critics to tell you what to expect. Having said that, it is difficult not to do this, and in particular with films that feel "worthy", I do struggle to click play when compared to something that I equally prejudge as being "easier". I mention all of this because I have to be honest and say that when I read the blurb about Keep the Change, it really put me off – all I saw was an "issues" film which would play that angle to the detriment of everything else. Fortunately the film reminded me why preconceptions are generally bad, and proved me totally wrong.
The narrative follows David, who has high-functioning autism; in some ways he seems together and certainly looks down his nose at those who are more obviously autistic than him, and this is part of him not really accepting who he is. When his mother takes him to a support group for others, David is partnered with Sarah to go and shop for a birthday present for one of the group. The odd relationship unfolds during the day as David is both comfortable and uncomfortable with Sarah and how she is. As a plot, it is hard to describe (as I just demonstrated) and again it does feel like it will be a very obvious "learning to be true to yourself" thing, but actually it is nothing of the sort, and it isn't for the main reason of just how natural and honest the whole film is.
If using non-professional autistic actors was a risk then it was one worth doing, because they never feel like they are acting, they feel very real and very honest in their behaviour and mannerisms. This adds so much to the characters, because in body language, facial expressions, and speaking, it all rings true beyond the dialogue of the specific scene. It also doesn't force us to feel one way about the characters – it allows us to feel awkward to listen to them, to feel a bit annoyed about how they are/act, but ultimately we like them and feel for them, y'know, like people in real life. The ending in particular gives us this freedom in the way it is wonderfully understated.
Technically it is well captured; as if the challenge of the subjects was not enough, we also have a lot of location shooting and movement, but yet it all comes together really well. The camera tracks, it moves, it gets very close, and it all looks good. Likewise, the sound is very clear and has a good balance throughout (the amount of shorts I have seen where they think they do not need someone doing the sound always makes me glad to find a short where it is good). The main thing about the delivery of the film though, is that it matches perfectly with the natural tone of the performance and narrative, all bringing it together really well. The writer/director is currently raising funding and getting things in place to develop this into a feature, and on the basis of this short it will be one well worth supporting and then seeing.
