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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Short Film - 5 minutes -
The Clouds
Verdict: Thriller with a dash of comedy
London - Curzon - Sep/Oct 03
The reassuring figure of Barney McAlistair (Stuart Bowman) welcomes us to The Clouds, but it's clear from the corporate
video he presents that there's something not absolutely right about the place. Against a backdrop of patients (Claire Lubert, Claire Nock) throwing medicine balls to each other, the Gothic facade of The Clouds suggests less a Priory (unless it's a haunted one), more a Hammer House of (slightly disturbed) Horror.
Randall (Steven da Costa) is in the lavatory casually chatting on the phone to his urbane agent (Lenny Goldstein as himself). Trevor (James Holmes) is keen to come in, though not at the same time. Randall's a sympathetic man, and, later, Trevor pours out his heart.
Imagine therefore Trevor's shock when Randall spills out Trevor's story at group therapy as if it's his own. How to blame him if, in the heat of anger, Trevor goes (literally) for Randall's jugular.
It's at this point that the unconventional practices of The Clouds become overt. Devotees of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest familiar, at least in the cinema, with brain surgery may recognise what Randall finds in the cupboard under the stairs. And it's part of Randall's unmasking too, because he's really Jez, an actor, doing research for his next film. Trouble is, the doctor (Valerie Gogan) doesn't believe him.
The Clouds is a sharp piece of drama, partly comedy, but with a sinister undertow. It's brought to life by the directorial skill of Matt Harlock & Rawdon de Fresnes, to a tight script by Adrian Hughes, with terse and effective dialogue. The central performances, by Steven da Costa as Randall / Jez, and James Holmes as disturbed Trevor, are commanding. They
are well supported by a gifted cast. Cinematography, by Paul King, is well-exececuted, as is sound, by Dominic Holland. Chris Joss provides a crisp edit that tells the story entertainingly. There's good prop-work, by Claire Nock, Keri Murphy, Toni Vallenduuk; well-chosen costumes, by Linda Brooker; and make-up, by Collette King. The Clouds works to a well-written original score, by Mee; and the superb location (in West London) provides a fine backcloth to the macabre medical practices that form the axis of this taut comedy thriller.
Cast Credits: Steven da Costa (Randall / Jez), James Holmes (Trevor). : Stuart Bowman (Corporate Video Presenter Barney McAlistair), Valerie Gogan (Doctor), Lenny Goldstein ((as himself) Agent's voice on phone), Srjdan Jaksic (Orderly), Claire Lubert (Patient with ball), Keri Murphy (Patient), Claire Nock (Patient with ball), Marcio Rodrigues (Orderly), Claudine Spiteri (Therapist).
Company Credits:
Story - Adrian Hughes & Matt Harlock. Writer - Adrian Hughes. Directors - Matt Harlock & Rawdon de Fresnes. Producer - Matt Harlock. Props - Claire Nock, Keri Murphy, Toni Vallenduuk. Production Manager - Peter Müller. Director of Photography - Paul King. Sound - Dominic Holland. Editor - Chris Joss. Costume - Linda Brooker. Make-Up - Collette King. Composer Original Music - Mee. Post-production - Jeremy Rainbird @ Addiction.
Company - Halflife Films. Tel - 020 7436 4215.
Thanks to: Nicolas Blair-Fish, Onat & King Street College; Component Kit Hire.
END
John Park
reviewed 27 September 03 / Curzon Mayfair
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
