I Don't Make the Rules

Stephen was once a professional athlete but got cut after only a few seasons, and never landed wholly right. We find him taking work when he can get it (security, holding a billboard on the street, whatever) but he aspires for steady work in an office where he can have security and development opportunities – but to what degree is he willing to act to secure this goal?

An interesting film this one because I read that the inspiration behind the film was the background of the lead actor himself – who had similar challenges when he spent less than a season with the Browns before being released from contract. Although Humphus seems to be doing okay now (frequent stunt double for The Rock being one of his many credits) but his familiarity with the generalities of this situation do give more realism within his performance. This is key in making the film work, because I'm not totally sure that the narrative does. The moral dilemma (which is sort of the narrative show-piece) comes suddenly at the end and is not so much a dilemma as a piece of morally-dubious quick thinking, so it is not really challenging or satisfying so much as just providing an interesting way to close the character's thread. Humphus adds a lot to that though, since he convinces us and we invest in him, so we go with him into that scene and out of it.

A solid short film, and Humphus brings a lot to it that isn't on the page.