Pits is a very funny short film! It plays like a Prologue to a great comedy, however in it's too-short eight minute runtime, the fun of Pits and the unadulterated humor it manages to achieve is as good as, if not better than most of what Hollywood has churned out since the new renaissance of gross-out comedies.
It [Pits] doesn't pretend to be something it isn't and it does so because it's makers would not allow it to live up to it's title. The plot of Pits is more of an idea, an inspiration. The devise is secondhand, but that's besides the point. A man runs incessantly, he's in a hurry to make it to his interview, to make a good impression no less, which is the point because the fun is getting to the interview.
The potency of Pits comes essentially, but not exclusively, because of it's sharp acting, clever direction and punctual music. Peter Benson's performance evokes to memory Tim Roth's seriously underrated role in the anthology film, Four Rooms. Alan Cumming's presence certainly gives the film it's Box Office clout, nonetheless it's his understated sly comic manner which allows Pits to ultimately catch it's breath. Like a Tex Avery cartoon, the music is adeptly executed by Michael Richard Plowman and subtlety reminiscent of Silvestri's Mouse Hunt.
The sweat (sans blood) Gary Hawes and his Voluntary Cast and Crew have put forth to make this short film is very much an accomplishment to be proud of and it's in Dolby Surround no less!
If you get the opportunity to see this film on the Festival circuit, I highly recommend it. Pits is the first of what will hopefully be many more to come.
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