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Little Favour (2013)
Solid yet conventional Shortfilm
This review doesn't contain major spoilers, yet may hint at some plot points, especially the big twist.
I wasn't overly impressed by this short. No doubt, it's a well made short, with solid acting and some beautiful shots. Yet neither the (many) action scenes really convinced me through innovative shots and the roughness of it just seemed a little bit fake, nor the "story" really, which is just there to justify the action.
There is one big twist towards the end, that plays with the typical action flick cliché of the man being the savior and the little girl being the one that he needs to protect. The twist wasn't to expect and was pulled off nicely, so that's a big plus. So calling the short "conventional" may seem a bit odd. But:
Sadly, it seemed like the short staged everything to just get to that twisty moment to be like: "Well how about that, now look at that twist, isn't that clever? That makes the whole short brilliant, doesn't it?"
No, it doesn't. And what the hell does all of it mean, why are we watching this twist, what's behind it? Those questions don't get answered.
By the way: When you can get Cumberbatch to play a role in your short, give him something to act! Really now, giving him that little (looking cool, looking beaten up, looking confused)... that's almost a sin.
Overall still a solid short, well done! Just not that outstanding.