"The Humpersnatch Case" is a 12-minute short film written by, directed by and starring Matthew Butler. It is a take on the old film noir classics and that is why it is not only in black-and-white, but also the characters, music and story look like they are take right out of such an old film. However, the one thing that this film lacks is an individual touch, something that makes this film stand out and just spoofing a complete genre for over 10 minutes simply does not cut the cake in this case. I really Butler found his own approach in the last 3 years or finds it soon, otherwise I cannot really see him with a long career in the business. Not recommended.
2 Reviews
Excellently observed comedy homage to Film Noir
malcolmrogersfilm20 February 2016
After being fortunate enough to see these filmmaker's feature, Two Down, at a festival last year, I decided to track down some earlier work (it's my job and was happy to put the time in to hunt them down), and have been steadily making my way through Fizz and Ginger Films' earlier shorts.
The Humpersnatch Case, yes it is a ridiculous title, is a very well put together and observed homage to that great genre of filmmaking, Film Noir. It's exactly what you want from this genre; the hard-boiled private detective, the femme-fatale and the crime that must be solved. Very simple, but very well executed.
You can see the work that has gone in to make this a modern comedy but perfectly in the Noir style. I read that the team were making these 'genre' pieces (see also their Claude et Claudette from the French New Wave) to learn their craft and why certain periods of film did what they did. This short is a year after Claude et Claudette and you can see how much they have learned in a short space of time and for those of us who spend our days studying film for a living and who understand the nuances here, it is a joy to watch.
Yes it's a low budget affair, but what they can do with tiny budgets should be a lesson to young filmmakers. They take chances to learn and to grow and it is a pleasure to be on this mission to follow the progress of these people.
On to the next!
The Humpersnatch Case, yes it is a ridiculous title, is a very well put together and observed homage to that great genre of filmmaking, Film Noir. It's exactly what you want from this genre; the hard-boiled private detective, the femme-fatale and the crime that must be solved. Very simple, but very well executed.
You can see the work that has gone in to make this a modern comedy but perfectly in the Noir style. I read that the team were making these 'genre' pieces (see also their Claude et Claudette from the French New Wave) to learn their craft and why certain periods of film did what they did. This short is a year after Claude et Claudette and you can see how much they have learned in a short space of time and for those of us who spend our days studying film for a living and who understand the nuances here, it is a joy to watch.
Yes it's a low budget affair, but what they can do with tiny budgets should be a lesson to young filmmakers. They take chances to learn and to grow and it is a pleasure to be on this mission to follow the progress of these people.
On to the next!
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