This is sort of out of the old Twilight Zone camp. A man is recruited by another man (Robert Picardo). He is told of an organization that brings about the deaths of people by simply praying that they will die. Our guy is whiny man who blames others for his lack of success. He is petty and small and a coward. He believes that one man in the company is his nemesis. This rolls along with suspense and then we find out something interesting.
12 Reviews
Excellent Short, Best 15 minutes you will spend today
extremeownage10 May 2020
Robert Picardo stars in this short film as a mysterious man with an interesting proposal to a frustrated businessman. Dialogue is lean and to the point. Not a wasted word. Good cinematography and sound. Interesting premise. Hard to really classify this as horror or sci-fi... Maybe short mystery thriller? Can be found on YouTube, Dust, and various other media sites. Well worth the time to watch.
Riveting, fun short
I_Ailurophile8 May 2021
Dark, somber cello strings provide atmosphere as a brooding, resentful company man (Tom Gulager) voices an internal monologue about the inadequacy and impotency of a bumbling brown-noser of a coworker (Thomas F. Duffy). After casually ignoring a few written or electronic messages from the "secretary," Carl Tucker, of a mysterious "Society for United Action," Burton gets a visit at the office from Mr. Tucker himself.
I saw Robert Picardo listed in the cast and I was immediately invested in a viewing. He's an outstanding actor, and he portrays Tucker with such an amiable and casual yet purposeful delivery that his every word is like music. It's truly entrancing. And Gulager, as Burt, very relatably boils over with his impatience, skepticism, and malcontent.
Wait, Meghan Markle is in this, too? Well how about that?
If Picardo's involvement weren't enough, the twist at the end absolutely makes 'The candidate' worth watching. It's exquisitely executed, and Tucker's swift, seamless departure speaks to a seemingly unnatural power, though he is yet only human.
I do have a little bit of an issue with suspension of disbelief here, as the Society's mission is essentially predicated on wishful thinking and the rejection of coincidence as so much as a concept. Still, the short is otherwise so very well done that the credibility of the scenario is bolstered by its quality.
I was expecting a bit of fun, but I wasn't expecting this to carry with it a small sense of thrills. Well done! - and, I think , worth 20 minutes of your time.
I saw Robert Picardo listed in the cast and I was immediately invested in a viewing. He's an outstanding actor, and he portrays Tucker with such an amiable and casual yet purposeful delivery that his every word is like music. It's truly entrancing. And Gulager, as Burt, very relatably boils over with his impatience, skepticism, and malcontent.
Wait, Meghan Markle is in this, too? Well how about that?
If Picardo's involvement weren't enough, the twist at the end absolutely makes 'The candidate' worth watching. It's exquisitely executed, and Tucker's swift, seamless departure speaks to a seemingly unnatural power, though he is yet only human.
I do have a little bit of an issue with suspension of disbelief here, as the Society's mission is essentially predicated on wishful thinking and the rejection of coincidence as so much as a concept. Still, the short is otherwise so very well done that the credibility of the scenario is bolstered by its quality.
I was expecting a bit of fun, but I wasn't expecting this to carry with it a small sense of thrills. Well done! - and, I think , worth 20 minutes of your time.
Satisfyingly tense story with a strong conclusion
bob the moo21 February 2014
Burton Grunzer is a driven company man who seems to be stuck behind his incompetent partner Whitman Hayes; a man who Burton believes is protected from on high since he is fumbling and inept but yet even senior staff like Alexander see him as a valuable asset that Burton is lucky to have. Burton's frustration at this situation is constant. One day a mild-mannered man comes to see Burton to inform him of a secret organization that very simply uses the power of mass wishing to bring about the death of those selected to be not worthy of living. Burton is sceptical at first but listens intently.
There is a nicely sharp edge to this corporate drama and it starts with the tension of a fumbled presentation which Burton watches with smug superiority as he watches this man who is so terrible but yet also does well in the company. This scene hooks your interest as we know Burton is a shark in this organization, keen to do well at any cost and his narration is well laid over the top, dripping with menace and distain. From here we learn a little more of the character and perhaps it is not the full story but then we head into a meeting where a dark solution is put on the table – one that someone like Burton will be very interested in. Gulager's performance had been the driving force up to this point but from here we have a great turn from Picardo who is very well cast and totally holds the attention with a mix of harmlessness and sinister presence. It is this that makes the story he tells so engaging and we are really held by the film throughout.
It goes to a satisfying conclusion and, were this not a standalone short film, you could easily see this being part of the Twilight Zone or something of the like because it is an engaging yarn which is very well told. The performances from all are really good but Picardo and Gulager have the most to do. Karlak's direction is really good too, the office is full of tension and slick surfaces, making the stakes feel high. The use of music shouldn't be ignored and the score used in the opening few minutes and the closing few minutes is really dramatic and adds a lot. Overall a very satisfying and engaging short film that is well worth seeking out.
There is a nicely sharp edge to this corporate drama and it starts with the tension of a fumbled presentation which Burton watches with smug superiority as he watches this man who is so terrible but yet also does well in the company. This scene hooks your interest as we know Burton is a shark in this organization, keen to do well at any cost and his narration is well laid over the top, dripping with menace and distain. From here we learn a little more of the character and perhaps it is not the full story but then we head into a meeting where a dark solution is put on the table – one that someone like Burton will be very interested in. Gulager's performance had been the driving force up to this point but from here we have a great turn from Picardo who is very well cast and totally holds the attention with a mix of harmlessness and sinister presence. It is this that makes the story he tells so engaging and we are really held by the film throughout.
It goes to a satisfying conclusion and, were this not a standalone short film, you could easily see this being part of the Twilight Zone or something of the like because it is an engaging yarn which is very well told. The performances from all are really good but Picardo and Gulager have the most to do. Karlak's direction is really good too, the office is full of tension and slick surfaces, making the stakes feel high. The use of music shouldn't be ignored and the score used in the opening few minutes and the closing few minutes is really dramatic and adds a lot. Overall a very satisfying and engaging short film that is well worth seeking out.
A Fierce Psychological thriller
Slodrifter19 November 2011
Ever hated somebody so much that you wanted them dead? It is the basic idea that makes "The Candidate" so undeniably interesting. This rich, multi-layered short film plays with the basic morality battles that we find ourselves dealing with every day. The hate that the main character feels is thick and delicious. We allow ourselves to like this man because we've been there too! We want him to succeed because he's worked hard and he deserves to win. And yet, shouldn't we feel bad?
This man represents those vices that we so ardently profess to abhor! He is greedy, sneaky, underhanded, conniving, vicious (just look at the slow motion shot of him scream as his cheeks become the fierce jowls of a voracious predator). We should see this man in action and care nothing for him, but then again, there but for the grace of God, go I.
This is one of those films which leaves you craving more, and I hope we get it one day. Director David Karlak gives us a delicious taste of a dark world. It just happens to be set in an office!
My advice? Go find it, watch it, savor it. It's good filmmaking.
Believe me. Once you've tasted it, you'll realize what you've been missing.
This man represents those vices that we so ardently profess to abhor! He is greedy, sneaky, underhanded, conniving, vicious (just look at the slow motion shot of him scream as his cheeks become the fierce jowls of a voracious predator). We should see this man in action and care nothing for him, but then again, there but for the grace of God, go I.
This is one of those films which leaves you craving more, and I hope we get it one day. Director David Karlak gives us a delicious taste of a dark world. It just happens to be set in an office!
My advice? Go find it, watch it, savor it. It's good filmmaking.
Believe me. Once you've tasted it, you'll realize what you've been missing.
Grippingly well-crafted
colinlevy7 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I've had the privilege of seeing "The Candidate" on several occasions now, and it seriously blows me away every time. I'm not really one for hyperbole, but I can't help but shower this film with praise. It's probably one of the best short films I've seen. When you see it on the big screen, it's honestly hard to believe you're watching a student film.
Before I get too far I should disclose that I consider the director, David Karlak, a good friend. That must somehow be coloring my opinion. But the first time I saw "The Candidate", I went slack-jawed for like 15 minutes.
I don't know why I like it so much, honestly. I love twists, first of all. I love this genre. But this film totally 'got' me. It's so seductive. It hooked me in and led me delicately along and spit me out at the end with my mind reeling at the implications.
It's an extremely well-crafted film where everything just *works*. The stylized writing, nuanced performances, beautiful cinematography... the technical quality of the film is difficult to criticize. But it's really the handling of the story that deserves the most praise. The film is well-paced, well-structured, gets your imagination going.... and the twist is masterfully executed.
I look forward to seeing how this film fares in competition. To me, this is a pretty astonishing first directorial effort -- I can't wait to watch from the sidelines as David steps into what I'm sure will be an impressive career.
Before I get too far I should disclose that I consider the director, David Karlak, a good friend. That must somehow be coloring my opinion. But the first time I saw "The Candidate", I went slack-jawed for like 15 minutes.
I don't know why I like it so much, honestly. I love twists, first of all. I love this genre. But this film totally 'got' me. It's so seductive. It hooked me in and led me delicately along and spit me out at the end with my mind reeling at the implications.
It's an extremely well-crafted film where everything just *works*. The stylized writing, nuanced performances, beautiful cinematography... the technical quality of the film is difficult to criticize. But it's really the handling of the story that deserves the most praise. The film is well-paced, well-structured, gets your imagination going.... and the twist is masterfully executed.
I look forward to seeing how this film fares in competition. To me, this is a pretty astonishing first directorial effort -- I can't wait to watch from the sidelines as David steps into what I'm sure will be an impressive career.
Perfect writing, acting and directing
catherinehg26 December 2020
I see a lot of "sniffing" reviews. The kind that write this off as an episodic tv show flashback. The Twilight Zone might be the correct genre, but that is no reason to denigrate the piece. I am willing to bet that this one will hold up as well in 50 years too.
Did anyone else catch the secretary was Meghan Markle?
gunn-wrights9 April 2023
Not that she made the movie better - the heavy lifting was pulled by Roberto (the Holo-doc from Star Trek) - I just thought it was funny to see her humble beginnings in 2010 to who she is today.
The film was completely dark humor, which I love! Well, maybe it wasn't even humor, I'm probably just weird with what I find funny. I'm not sure that I've ever given a movie 10/10. Certainly not the junk they're pumping out of Hollywood these days!! I can't take anymore of the political B. S. in movies, I just want to be entertained, without some hidden message.
Well.. I promise you, this film is DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN for a long time. Meaning: it's entertaining. And the ending is just sick (lovely and funny, but sick).
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!
The film was completely dark humor, which I love! Well, maybe it wasn't even humor, I'm probably just weird with what I find funny. I'm not sure that I've ever given a movie 10/10. Certainly not the junk they're pumping out of Hollywood these days!! I can't take anymore of the political B. S. in movies, I just want to be entertained, without some hidden message.
Well.. I promise you, this film is DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN for a long time. Meaning: it's entertaining. And the ending is just sick (lovely and funny, but sick).
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!
Show Don't Tell
Theo Robertson2 March 2014
THE CANDIDATE seems to have garnered a lot of praise on this page being a dark exploration of human nature set against the background of corporate capitalism . I'm being extremely contrarian when I say wasn't all that impressed by it . It's by no means dreadful but as Bob said it's very much like one of those stories you might have seen in THE TWILIGHT ZONE or in an American version of TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED
David Karlak uses an all too obvious directorial technique in order to tell the story , one of constant incidental music that is both intrusive and manipulative which outlasts its welcome . He also uses a bit too much close up in order try and get a sense of mounting tension . That said one thing that is impressive from a technical viewpoint is the editing especially at the end as the last scenes are cut with the titles .
The story itself revolves around the denouement where the rug is well and truly pulled out from the audiences feet and I wasn't able to second guess the twist at the end , but sadly the story only exists because of the twist . It's interesting that the audience will no doubt be on the side of Burton since most of us will be relatively low on the work ladder and hold grudges against those higher up . This is the problem Burton is shown to do nothing to make himself any enemies and the narrative suffers from a lack of show don't tell . As it stands THE CANDIDATE is okay but never really a candidate for classic short film
David Karlak uses an all too obvious directorial technique in order to tell the story , one of constant incidental music that is both intrusive and manipulative which outlasts its welcome . He also uses a bit too much close up in order try and get a sense of mounting tension . That said one thing that is impressive from a technical viewpoint is the editing especially at the end as the last scenes are cut with the titles .
The story itself revolves around the denouement where the rug is well and truly pulled out from the audiences feet and I wasn't able to second guess the twist at the end , but sadly the story only exists because of the twist . It's interesting that the audience will no doubt be on the side of Burton since most of us will be relatively low on the work ladder and hold grudges against those higher up . This is the problem Burton is shown to do nothing to make himself any enemies and the narrative suffers from a lack of show don't tell . As it stands THE CANDIDATE is okay but never really a candidate for classic short film
Excellent
clovehitchjohn25 April 2021
Atmosphere isn't everything
Horst_In_Translation6 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"The Candidate" is a 20-minute American short film in the English language from 2010 and it is the first work by director David Karlak. And even if he is not one of the two writers who worked on the script here, i must still say I am not too surprised he didn't make it big since then. He may need to step things up for a true breakthrough. As for this one here, the atmosphere and suspense are sometimes solid (for a short movie), but the action i.e. plot as well as acting never really impressed me at all and as a consequence I cared very little for the plot twist at the end. The music is over the top on some occasions and I also (from my subjective point of view) saw some examples of overacting here. This does not concern Meghan Markle who may be the most known cast member here. I personally am surprised how highly his short film is rated here on IMDb as I found it very much style over substance and there is honestly not really one single truly memorable component about the entire thing. Not recommended.
about life
Kirpianuscus26 November 2018
A man. His frustrations about position in the firm. S.M.S.-s and a letter from an organisation representatif . The dialogue. And , after seductive terms, a cold, brutal conclusion.
A film reminding the portrait of Rodion Raskolnikoff . In general line, with an admirable cinematography and good performances. And a strong parable about the life. The life of the other, off course.
Short, a film like a cut of knife . Precise. And clear.
A film reminding the portrait of Rodion Raskolnikoff . In general line, with an admirable cinematography and good performances. And a strong parable about the life. The life of the other, off course.
Short, a film like a cut of knife . Precise. And clear.
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