Powerful can be a more reasonable term. For the message, for impecable acting, for inspired storytelling. But beautiful gives the nuances as axis of this film about loneliness, self definition and love. A film in which Aiden Nord does more than a great job but he propose a character so familiar than it is stunning in profound sense. A film of few fundamental scenes who you real touch and feel and expect. For generous delicacy and precise message. For grace. So, beautiful.
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Kirpianuscus23 November 2019
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There have been many blockbuster movies that have had huge budgets and big stars, yet lacked good acting or character 'believability', sometimes it is the short films that have the biggest impact.
'Poof' is a stunning short film directed by Dean Anderson, which proves that point.
When Aaron meets Mike at a party they share a cigarette and a chat, and when Mike offers to walk Aaron home and gives him an unexpected kiss, a romance develops between the two.
However, things aren't that simple for Aaron. He is a young man struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, he lives with his bigoted father, who in one scene when he's dressed up to go out asks Aaron if he looks OK, and if the shirt he's wearing "isn't too poofy is it?". After spending a night away with Mike, Aaron realises this is what he always wanted and when Mike says that it's time to go, Aaron says "not just yet".
The struggle between what he wants, the difficulty of coming to terms with it and the prospect of 'coming out' is too much to handle.
This is an incredibly powerful film. The leads played by Aiden Nord (Aaron) and Miles Higson (Mike) are outstandingly good. The anguish of Aaron's struggle is portrayed to perfection by young Nord, and at the end of the film, you can see in his face the pain of having to let go of the very thing he wants the most. It is acting at it's best.
I have to mention Howard Harling as Aaron's father, who is also terrific.
For me, the highlight of the film is when the two boys are spending time away together. It was just the little romantic pieces that really stood out. One scene I thought was so beautifully directed and shot, the two are just sat by the water's edge and the camera is at a distance, and you just see Aaron rest his head on Mike's shoulder. Such a small action, but such a huge moment.
There was also a stunning scene when Aaron asks Mike if his own family know, and how he handles being gay.
I can't fault this film. From the writing, the cinematography, the superb directing to the magnificent acting, this film is, well in a word......sublime!
'Poof' wowed audiences at several film festivals, including the Iris Prize Festival, where it was nominated for 'Best British Short' and 'Flicker' the Rhode Island Film Festival in the USA.
You can catch 'Poof' solely on Youtube at the moment, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if selected cinemas or a major TV network (are you listening Netflix?) didn't show any interest in getting this short film out to the masses, and trust me, it deserves to be out there.
I strongly advise you to watch this powerful and emotional film.