This deserves a comment, I saw it and I don't think I know of anything else quite like it. It's a fascinating half-hour but I will say that you need to watch it closely. Through it's stillness, quiet and subtlety things will creep up on you reminiscent of Kubrick. The music, sound and cinematography all lull you into this dreamy hypnotic sort of state. It's an experience.
"Henry and Marvin" is about Henry, who's stuck in a group home that maybe shouldn't be. He's a little above the abilities of the others. But something is off because he can't or won't express himself to anyone there. He's the loner who gets a room mate with a "Hello my name is Marvin" name tag on his chest. Marvin is played really wonderfully as the most innocent, child-like, androgynous guy who is dressed exclusively in jogging suits. He's introduced to everyone and starts participating in all the group activities, fed and attended to at all times. Having seen a lot of movies in a big hurry to get you "in and out" as it were, this movie takes it's time letting you get to know these people in the group house. The focus on character detail makes it feel really genuine. For a short with characters far removed from most of our realities it's an accomplishment that they have such depth depicted by their limitations no less.
Did I mention it's quiet? There's no dialog, apart from the few words uttered by the house care-taker woman, who's cheery attitude is depicted in a way that you can laugh and empathize with the unassuming people she's taking care of. I think we've all met people who's "bright life approach" is off the charts. Anyway, that lays the scene, what happens from there is better left for you to see.
It's darkly funny yet oddly poignant, very dry and filled with bizarre tension underneath it. It's slow non-conforming nature makes it all the more intriguing. I think the best thing I like about it is the voice that's coming out from behind it, you can't put your finger on it. You could say it's a little like Kubrick or Lynch or Jeunet and Caro and you'd be right it is. But you can't really credit any cinematic forefather because it's, I think, genuine and original.
It'd be interesting to see more.
