ManMade (2023) User Reviews

Enough to Bring a Grown Man to Tears (And that's Okay!)

[harrymcilroyactor · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

A touching and heartwarming tale of grief and hope and a really important story for young men right now.

I loved the writing - This film pulls you on an emotional roller-coaster without once slipping into old cliche's or preachy narrative. There's not an inch of fat in the dialogue and you're always left questioning your point of view and feelings.

Great performances - the 'manly' characters are remarkably complex and brought to life with great subtly.

Really memorable and touching, the opening and ending shots have really stuck with me.

One of the best shorts I've seen this year by far, deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.

Powerful

[joey-41445 · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

Unbelievably powerful, especially for a short. Impeccable acting, amazing script, just a gorgeous piece of art. The subject matter is not an easy one in today's world, but the director handles with grace and delicacy throughout. It's not often that a story focused on one particular group (gender, sexuality, race, etc) feels so immediately universal. To draw the viewer into that level of empathy with the characters within so short a time frame is testament to a truly remarkable script and a perfectly-paced edit. I only wish it would have gone on longer as this team and project deserves a full length feature.

Moving & authentic

[dixonrod · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

This short brilliantly captures the toxicity of working class British masculinity. The script is brutally authentic and draws the viewer into the world of a young boy being forced to "man up" . The complexity of father-son relationships and sibling rivalry is explored subtly and avoids cliche. One of the best shorts I've ever seen - completely using the form to create a poignant and memorable film without looking like it's a short that aspires to being a feature.

The three lead actors play their characters with understated and convincing skill, especially Cavan Clerkin whose portrayal of the bullying father is finely tuned to be uncomfortable viewing.