Perspective

Having read the synopsis, I was expecting a short story with a 'Rashomon' narrative. Now, to compare a new independent director to Akira Kurosawa is maybe a stretch, but it still feels like an opportunity missed.

The lead, is shown dancing in a kitchen as if she is in a night club, while on-lookers devour alcohol and blur their visions of what is going on with her...some see a dancing girl trying to have fun others see a woman of promiscuity. The idea of 'Perspective' is an idea which I enjoy in cinema, seeing the same thing from different points of view, however that is where I think this film missed the mark.

Instead of seeing the same situation from different points of view, we see the same situation progress while switching to and from different perspectives. Another missed opportunity was to actually give each side of the story a fair percentage, we very rarely see anything from anybody except those who think the woman is 'asking for it'...we all know rape is wrong, but if the movie displays anything it is that those who believe that the woman is in danger of being raped simply stand by and do nothing when they have already identified something as not looking right. Our bystanders watch on and comment on the fact that something is off, yet do nothing to intervene, instead letting our lead head off into the other room with the drunk. There is a different story to be told here, and that is a story of a conflict between apathy, cruelty and concern.

The acting is dreadful, this I can let slide considering how low budget this picture is, but these people do not talk like people and they have a feeling of friends who were simply available for the day to help rather than actual actors who could help the story be told in a more convincing manner.

On a plus, we have some good slow-motion shots (though seeing booze poured into a glass with music that would make you think you are watching 'Jaws' gives the impression that alcohol was the villain) and the performance of our lead crying at the end is well acted.

Overall, a good idea tainted by what looks like rushed efforts from the creator.