Desserts (1999) User Reviews

The quintessential Short Film

[kchynes · 8/10 · 16 November 1999]

If you want to make a Short Film, start by having a look at this one. A Short is hard to make and this one is a fantastic demonstration of a great idea explored by excellent film making. Definitely the best short I have ever seen.

Revenge!

[Afracious · 8/10 · 29 March 2001]

Revenge! An interesting short film. No dialogue. Very simple. A man walking down a beach spots an object, and is fatefully attracted to it. It's incredulous, but nightmarishly effective. It reminds me slightly of La Cabina, the same kind of principle. Forces beyond our control leading to our fate.

Awesome!!!

[Cinematica · 7 December 2001]

Hilarious and shocking at the end. I was definitely not expecting it. Kind of makes you think about where missing persons go... I will never look at a beach or piece of dessert the same way again. Everyone I show this short to likes it. So watch it!

Beware of Fish Bearing Gifts

[AZINDN · 10/10 · 5 June 2001]

A solitary man strolling along the beach comes across a tempting eclair. Why the dessert is sitting there and who left it are questions the stroller should have pondered. The next decision he makes changes his life forever...

Able Efforts Devoted To A Short Feature Bring Cause For Celebration.

[rsoonsa · 7/10 · 4 January 2006]

Despite its brevity, a measured mood is developed during this four minute multiple prizewinning short, perhaps due to a complete lack of dialogue that serves to enhance a surprise ending that delighted audiences at its Toronto Film Festival debut, as well as those who viewed it during its wide distribution to European and Asian theatres. The title is cleverly reflective upon a theme of revenge that would be appropriate for a magazine published fantasy short short story, appreciated by the substantial numbers who saw the work in the Los Angeles area, playing there on the same bills as Tom Tykwer's RUN LOLA RUN. The production for this short is flawlessly accomplished by all involved and especial notice shall be given here to the work of makeup artist Colin Shuler for a highly skillful prosthetic creation.

Desserts

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 27 February 2009]

I came across this film purely by accident, it was played before the real feature film starring Ewan McGregor. It is a very simple idea, McGregor is a lonely stroller minding his own business walking on the beach, and then he spots a delicious looking chocolate éclair in paper just lying on the ground. He picks it up, looking around to make sure he is alone, and the coast is clear. Being curious he has a smell of the cake, and has a little lick of the cream from his finger. So he decides since there's no-one else to claim it, he decides to eat the cake. But then, all of the sudden, the ground lifts a large rope, and his mouth is pierced by a fishing hook, and he is dragged across the sand, plunging into the ocean, to disappear under the water, oh, and his footprint indent washed away. One of the shortest films I have ever seen in my life, less than three minutes long, and even with the limited amount, it manages to make a simple film, with an unexpected moment, be quite watchable. Very good!

Of men and fish

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 28 June 2017]

"Desserts" is a British movie from 1999, so two more years until this one has its 5th anniversary. The writer and director is Jeff Stark and this is one of two films he made together with famous actor Ewan McGregor, who also had his huge breakthrough in 1999 when he played Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. But back to this film here. According to IMDb, it is five minutes long, but the action without credits stays even under the 3-minute mark. It is basically a metaphoric story on fishing only that the tables are turned between men and fish. An interesting parallel I must say, especially for a vegetarian like me, because it shows how gruesome it is and I am talking about the mere process of catching fish. But damn that little pie (we call it éclair) here in Germany looked extremely delicious. It is a good story for 2.5 minutes, nothing truly deep or memorable and the build-up felt a bit long for me almost. But the ending is rewarding. Good job. And with ideas like these it is a bit of a shame Stark did not turn into a more prolific filmmaker afterward. I recommend "Desserts". Go see it.

Seen this before.

[lvecrft · 5/10 · 25 November 2006]

I probably would have rated it higher if I had not already seen this exact film on a home video anthology called Escapes with Vincent Price done in 1986...the short called Something Fishy. There were a few minor differences with location and props, you'll know what props I mean if you see the film. Makes you wonder if the director was "inspired" by the previous film or if it was just a coincidence. But then I don't think Escapes was widely seen, either.

And Ewan McGregor's performance was outstanding. ;-)

I saw this on an anthology titled "Spooks and Creeps". Mostly not very good short films in a variety of styles. Not very spooky. Not very creepy.

short and sweet

[darkneox119 · 17 August 2000]

This is a funny short film that has a nature in reverse joke. Ewan McGregor stars as the drifter. Watch it and it's length will make you want to see more. You'll be hooked. More films should use this approach instead of making terrible comedies. *** out of ****

A Sweet Treat

[jenniolson · 16 February 2003]

I saw this short at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. Sundance has a reputation for showcasing great shorts and this one was terrific. If I were giving the awards -- but of course I forgot to fill out my audience ballots -- the Best Short award would have gone to Jeff Stark for this brilliant three-minute masterpiece of comic horror (starring Ewan MacGregor). This exquisite tidbit caused an immense unified gasp of shocked laughter at its first screening. I can't tell you the punchline except to say, "Beware of stray chocolate eclairs on the beach."

Rip-Off Redux

[cineaste-4 · 27 June 2003]

In trying to come up with the title for a black & white short film that I saw in the theatres circa 1967, I came across "Desserts" here on imdb. From what I read, it seemed as if "Desserts" was a remake of the short movie I was researching. What I saw in 1967 has remained with me ever since. It was the best short I've ever seen.

"Desserts" is available on an out-of-print DVD of shorts from the Toronto Film Festival. I finally found it on eBay, bought it and played it at home last week.

What a disappointment! One of the main "catches" to the original is that the solitary character is a fisherman at the seaside. That makes the "hook" of the story a lot more meaningful. Since I remember the original so well, I can say that a few of the shots in "Desserts" were lifted directly from the black & white film; however, the money shot from the original wasn't duplicated in the remake. That's like a burglar stealing the diamond earrings but not the matching necklace!

If anyone reading this happens to know the name of the original short film or its director, pleeeze get in contact with me with that information or post it here. It was superb!