Kitty

As someone who wishes she were a cat, this short really resonates with me.

Chloë Sevigny's directorial debut is a swell demonstration of the skills she has cultivated over a career in film-making. 'Kitty' is a modern day fantasy film, and feels like perhaps the most realistic portrayal of what such a transformation might look like.

It's a small tale centering a young girl, more or less told from her perspective, and as such it very much has the feel of an abbreviated children's fantasy-adventure film (a la 'Tuck everlasting,' 'James and the giant peach,' and so on). This is furthered by the vivid natural light and otherwise treatment in the production that casts the feature in a slight hazy gloss.

Adapted for the screen by Sevigny herself from Paul Bowles' 1980 story, 'Kitty' is an uncomplicated tale, but is ably conveyed here. The cast perform well in their limited roles, and it's a wonderfully cheeky surprise for Lee Meriwether to play a part. The wardrobe is sufficient, and the prosthetics at work in the first few minutes of the short are particularly noteworthy, marking the protagonist's transformation.

The second aspect of 'Kitty,' following full flip to feline, strikes a tone one would generally not expect from such a film. Even being largely bereft of dialogue, the brief narrative is told well in the scenes and shots Sevigny arranges. The cat itself is of course a primary draw of the short, and - naturally, it's adorable, and great fun to watch.

I could have done with the inclusion of more cats or cat footage generally, but such is life. The ending is sweet and heartwarming, effectively concluding the story.

Quick and simple as it is, 'Kitty' is a delightful short - a great exercise of Chloë Sevigny's capabilities, and a swell diversion for 15 minutes. Recommended especially for cat lovers, obviously, but worth a quick watch for anyone should you come across it.