Rating: ★★★★
Short Film Saturdays is back! This week, I’m taking a look at dark comedy The Interview. Running at 7 minutes, this short is minimalistic in both setting and casting, but still managed to keep me hooked throughout.
The film follows Robert (Scott Michael Wagstaff), a down on his luck guy, as he interviews for a new role. He’s awkward, desperate and looking for a way to support himself and his family. I really liked his character in particular as he’s one that many of us can identify with. The world of business can be an intimidating place and not many people genuinely look forward to job interviews. Joseph (Ashley Tabatabai), the interviewer sitting opposite him, is the complete opposite. He’s cool, confident, and charismatic, which immediately creates an interesting dynamic between the two characters.
Both leading men are a joy to watch, each delivering some seriously laugh out loud moments as the interview takes place. The way the characters interact with each other is hilariously awkward, and really showcases the strength of Tabatabai’s script. The conversation feels natural, yet funny, and puts the audience in a voyeuristic position like we’re observing from a table at the other end of the diner. I loved the way the script mocks some of the ridiculous corporate language that we’re all familiar with, and how out of touch CEOs can appear.
Technically The Interview is a well-polished and beautiful film, with clean shot-reverse-shots and clear audio. Director/Editor Stefan Fairlamb has done a fantastic job with this, and I firmly believe the editing is just as strong as the acting on this short. It feels sleek, professional and utterly engaging. I could happily watch this on the big screen, as it’s on par with some of the bigger productions I’ve watched.
As ever, I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but The Interview is a brilliant examination of how corporations can manipulate and exploit people. The film takes a dark turn that I didn’t see coming, but in hindsight, I should have expected. It’s a wake up call and a harsh truth about the reality that we live in, and a reminder to never take things at face value. I would certainly recommend giving this film your time, as you won’t regret it.
A big thank you to Ashley Tabatabai for getting in touch and sending me the film, it was a pleasure to watch and review this. The Interview is currently on the festival route, so if you’re able to check it out, you definitely should!
Watch the trailer here: