Long Branch (2011) User Reviews (7)

It starts of rather sleazy but ends up being very sweet.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 23 April 2014]

Alex House and Jenny Raven play two teens who have just met. Out of the blue, the girl announces that she wants to have sex but wants to know nothing about the young man--not even his name. She just wants sex...NOW. Unfortunately, she's picked the wrong guy, as he lives way far away from downtown Toronto where this was filmed. In fact, he lives at the very last stop that public transportation reaches--Long Branch. It's a very cold night and she doesn't want any small talk. And so, after two hours, they finally reach the house...and are exhausted. And, not exactly in the mood.

This film from Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart works well mostly because the acting is so good. Although you know little about these two characters, you start to like them because of the fine acting and excellent job by Clark and Stewart.

I almost turned it off early because the whole idea of teens and a one night stand is very unappealing to me (I am a dad with daughters about the same age as the characters!). However, over time this film impressed me and ended up being a bit sweet.

Quietly convincing

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 13 August 2015]

This is a 13-minute short film from 4 years ago written and directed by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. These two worked together on several projects actually. There are only 2 actors (apart from a very small cameo) in here, a guy and a girl. They meet, decide to have a one-night-stand and head out to the guy's place. Problem is they need several hours to get there and their (especially the woman's) intention to not get to know the other and just have a night of sex, then never see each other again is pretty difficult to keep up. In-between, the girl's ex-boyfriend calls, there's a goofy situation involving flowers and just general awkwardness. All in all, a solid short film, occasionally funny and a decent watch I guess. Good song during the credits too, very nice fit. I recommend watching "Long Branch".

more than nice

[Kirpianuscus · 23 October 2018]

Its simplicity , its lovely simplicity is the lead motif for see it. Because it is pure romance. Not complicate, not at the wow level, not impressive. A guy. A girl. A long way to home. And a splendid end. Enough for one of short films who could be about you. And that is the smart basic idea who sustain this charming short film about strangers, surface of relation , a basement and the love.

A must see

[riverwildeuk · 10/10 · 16 January 2014]

This is a must see wonderful short. The actors, story and story-telling come together very nicely from start to finish. Cinema savvy folk may realize where the story is heading but the filmmakers provide us with the fun of getting there; the fun of the journey. This two hander is wonderfully acted and by the end your heart is warmed by the possibilities. Set in a winter-scape with clever use of the natural light, surroundings and avoiding the need for props, the direction concentrates on the story-telling and the performances. Short filmmakers can certainly learn a lot from this particular short. There is a very everyday feel to the film, an audience pleaser hence its acceptance to so many festivals in the first place. Well done!

Geography is a bit off....

[stevergy2000 · 9/10 · 23 December 2021]

As I used to live just beside the Long Branch Go Station/Streetcar stop, and often took the 44 Kipling bus south after getting off the subway, I simply want to point out that the part during which the couple walk through what appears to be an underground parking lot after riding on his bicycle doesn't make sense. Almost all the housing around this transit hub is reachable within about a ten minute ride by bicycle, with no intervening subterranean passages required.

Still, I truly wonderful short: I gave it a 9/10.

Long Branch (Not New Jersey)

[dooleykellen · 9/10 · 15 October 2023]

The sweet short film 'Long Branch' captures a profound emotional connection: a relationship cultivated from simple intimacy.

The progression of interaction between the two protagonists is a pivotal part of the storytelling; it adeptly displays the remarkable humanity in their relationship. The softening of interactions drives the viewer to root for the characters to actualize an eventual personal relationship.

Intially the protagonists are motivated by their shared desire to sleep with one another. However, the conflict of this story is a fear of connection. The short doesn't present an overwhelming breakthrough moment. It shows a first step towards the development of a deeper connection.

The sequence of scenes in the film is skillfully crafted. The moment in the film where the female protagonist answers a phone call from her ex-boyfriend is perfectly timed and brilliantly executed. In the scene immediately following, the male protagonist admits he is living with his uncle. This scene masterfully aids the storytelling by displaying an immediate and equal match of vulnerability.

I find myself resigned to the fact that this film spans only thirteen minutes. It is perfect in its current state. I would wholeheartedly watch a two-hour production with the same premise, energy, and message.

Made a sucker of me but I loved it for it (SPOILER)

[bob the moo · 28 February 2014]

A girl and a boy are making out in an alley behind a club. In the passion she asks if he wants to f**k and when the unsurprising answer is yes, they head back to his place, albeit running for a train to do it. They continue to make out on the train but soon the hot "anonymous one night stand" passion starts to fade as she realizes that he lives in Long Branch, the last stop on the line and at least 2 hours away. As the journey continues, the spirit of wild free abandonment continues to dissipate.

In a way this film was always going to go one place and I guess for some viewers this will be an irritant that they cannot get over. Essentially over the course of the journey the nice guy who isn't looking for just casual disposable sex keeps doing his thing while the angry girl looking for rage sex starts to soften, appreciate his gentle way and ultimately appreciate what he is able to provide for her in that moment. I really do this film a great disservice by describing it this way because, as corny as the ending is, it works incredibly well and I was smiling to myself as I watched it because it was so damn sweet and adorable that I couldn't help it. A big part of this is how well delivered the journey is. The change in the characters, in particular the girl, is fun and engaging and while it is slightly comic that the dynamic that they start with is so incompatible with the journey, it is charming, amusing and interesting.

House is solid as the boy, a little geeky and meek perhaps but mostly he works and to be honest his main role is to be consistent because the real focus is the girl. For her Raven is just tremendous; she convinces as furiously hot, angrily hurt, angrily determined and finally delicate and sweet. All of it works and all of it is really nicely done so that she keeps the viewer with her all the way and, while the boy wins her over, so she wins over the viewer. Clark and Stewart direct with a real professional eye; the snowy scenes looks great and the framing and "look" of the film is really professional while also having the feel of the material. The score is perhaps a bit too obvious but if you are going with it (as I was) then it works really well.

I would understand why some will hate this film because it a way it is obvious and sweet and cute, but for me it suckered me in and left me grinning like a loon as it closed. It may be cold in the film but it is hard not to feel warmed by the simple sweet charm of the film and the performances from House and, in particular, Raven.