Signs (I) (2008) User Reviews

Funny at the same time Touchy.

[rijon007 · 9/10 · 8 January 2013]

2009 Cannes winner Short film ''SIGNS'' is an amazing romantic short film. This 12 minutes speechless film is about a lonely boy who start communicating with a cute girl in next building using written signs and eventually they met each other. With a very simple concept, creative director Patrick Hughes made a master piece, actually one of sweetest films i have ever seen. This short film might seems quiet unrealistic , but i think most people don't to want to see daily boring mundane reality at film. They rather wish some fantasy and unrealistic events unconsciously.

I think the message of the short film is : Love doesn't always talk , sometimes might be expressed even from a piece of paper. In a world of social networking and cellphone, signs are still powerful as long as they mean a lot.

Whole film is well edited and I think background music really is cool and quiet touchy , but over exaggerated Techno sound effects which made it less emotional. Couple of humorous scenes and at ending part both of the characters' anxiety and final meeting sensational scene made whole film extraordinary . Besides, within only 12 minutes representing 8 days stories is a very hard job, which Patrick Hughes have done very smoothly.

Sort of like "Paperman" before there was "Paperman".

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 6 May 2013]

It seems rather odd that Disney received the Oscar for Best Animated Short considering that much of this plot seems inspired by this earlier film, "Signs". See them both--you'll probably see what I mean.

The film is done without verbal dialog. A young man is working in the big city and is feeling alienated and alone. As a result, he seems to be just going through the paces in life. However, one day as he looks out the window of the office where he works, he sees a cute lady in the building next door. And, surprisingly, she draws a little sign and soon they begin conversing and telling jokes from their respective jobs. But, they don't meet in person. What's next? See it and find out for yourself.

This film is excellent because it shows what can be done without dialog. Despite this limitation, the film is quite touching and clever. Very well done and well worth your time...and quite original.

Enchanting story

[dolive-578-564987 · 9/10 · 21 November 2020]

Contrary to some assertions about this story being unrealistic in the Information Age, the film's charm is entirely in its reminder that we don't need smartphones and the like to powerfully connect with others. This story is a fantasy, to be sure. It's the same fantasy - kindred spirits meeting, with some luck and a leap of faith required - that has always been the basis of all rewarding relationships since time began.

Great Short!

[mcparadise5 · 10/10 · 21 September 2009]

I first watched this film stumbling the internet and fell in love the cinematography. The story is great, it really makes you feel good after watching it. The actors were right on key with the story and really made you feel like you were apart of them. I want to know what camera lens they used on the shoot. The lighting was so so it was nothing exciting. I thought the editing on it was great and went with the music, which also fit the mood of the film perfectly. Patrick Hughues is a great up in coming director and I look forward to his future films! Overall I give it a 10 and hope Patrick Hughues keeps coming out with great works!

Geat JOB

[JVfade · 10/10 · 27 February 2010]

I really like this short movie. Just pay attention, there is not even one word, but everything is so clear and lovely. Nice story line, nice play of actors. During those twelve minutes this movie puts a smile on your face several times and it means that this movie really worth to watch. Recently watched "Valentine day". I would not even put this movie in the same line with "Signs". I love the music as well, nice changes in the melody line and great track at the end of movie. Thank you very much and I hope to see more of your great job in near future. Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

something unreal in our life, but it deserve to get 10

[mr-khoailang · 10/10 · 5 September 2009]

I was wondering that could it be real in our life when they didn't use phone or say any word. But it makes the film special. No need to talk. Just by words. The emotion expressed through their faces, their signs...You can feel like the characters felt: the loneliness of the men in a big city, the simple-but-deep love of him with the woman in the opposite building. The music in the film makes it more emotional. The director made a good job!

However, I don't think someday it will be real, not on the movie. But sometimes we shouldn't be practical to rate it. Deserve to get 10 stars.

A Person Who Brighten Your Life

[AdamHawkes · 10/10 · 13 July 2013]

A man is sick and tired of his usual life and feels loneliness he is single. One day, he sees a woman in a building next to his office. Since then they have communicated with written signs and the man's life is becoming lively more and more. He tries to show words, "Do you want to meet me?" But he hesitates and sadly the woman disappears. He is depressed so badly and regrets not writing the question. While he is working, something lightens his face. He looks up and he is surprised.

This film is so romantic that I was moved. their love is beautiful and I'd like to experience such a thing. And I understand his feeling very well. Anyone will be fed up with an ordinary and boring life that is like products made on a conveyor belt. Therefore a person who we love from the heart is necessary. Someday, I also want to meet such a person.

If you already have someone whom you cherish, please continue to do so. He or she may brighten your life. The more you cherish your partner, the more wonderful your life will be. So, like the man's story.

simple love story

[qqml · 6/10 · 25 October 2020]

Not bad although it is a little unrealistic to use signs rather than modern technologies to communicate. Too idealistic and perfect. Not representing real life.

pure romanticism

[Vincentiu · 28 August 2014]

a touching film. for the simplicity of story, for the delicate emotion, for the characters and for role of seed. a film about solitude and love sens, about the need of love and about happiness. nothing new or complicated.only two admirable actors creating the sketches of ordinary people more than silhouettes. a romantic movie , beautiful for reflecting the searches of young man to escape from its life and the meeting, almost magic, with his soul mate. its romanticism is special because seems be out of the old recipes. because it reflect, in touching manner, the reality. that could be its secret. and its fascination source.

It'll last longer

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 8/10 · 27 March 2023]

Jason has moved to the big city and is struggling to meet new people there. But one day...

The charm alone makes this worth watching at least once. It's currently free on YouTube. It's very impressive how strong the chemistry is considering that they aren't in the same place and don't speak. Rather, they communicate using handwritten signs, since they are in separate offices but can see the other from where they are.

After the first day, Jason puts up one of the notes he wrote on the fridge. Of course it makes him happy to think about. So within a couple of cuts, when we see that the notes are now covering the entire thing, we all understand that they've now had many happy "meetings", inbetween, without it being necessary to show them all. Simple, effective filmmaking.

I recommend this to any fan of writer-director Patrick Hughes. 8/10.

Nice and nothing more

[ersbel · 10 August 2009]

Signs is a nice depiction of the reversal of roles in the corporate world and the society as a whole. It is not original. It is not special. It's just that a lot of people get to identify with the characters as cliché as they might seem.

For a piece of art it is a bad choice for the evolution of the story to use the same Hollywood routine about X meets Y, X falls for Y, X thinks (s)he lost Y => happy end. In this case it's the actors, rather than the story, who make the piece acceptable.

Things change when you see it as it is - a vehicle for advertisements. Not actually an ad. More like a disguised ad to make use of the Internet and the newly embraced viral marketing. Sure, the brands are not that visible, but combined with the aggressive conventional branding they are easily spotted in the target markets. For this purpose this is a nice story, above average depiction.

Edit: It was a 6/10. I remove 5 stars. This is a rip off. O Homem Que Copiava is a Brazilian movie with far less circulation. And this story is just taken off that movie and replayed in a Corporate key for the Schweppes Short Film Festival. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367859/

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

lovely

[Kirpianuscus · 1 January 2021]

Its unrealism is the basic virtue defining it. From too familiar reality, a romance reminding fairy tales and naif cartoons but working well because it reflects, in fair manner, dreams, expectation, solution to boring, gray life. It is a lovely short film for its sweet innocence. Because you know and feel and have the certitude than is only pure fiction. But, for that, you like it. And, off course, for the actors, the contrast between shy and bored young man, prisoner of his routine and the shining, smart, beautiful woman working perfect. A profound beautiful film, reminding, no doubts, the generous Paperman.