Brink

               In his short film Brink, Shawn Christensen uses a very extraordinary plot device to tell a very simple love story. The sparing application of dialogue and thoughtful use of focus makes the typical tale of a man finally telling a woman he loves her quite touching.

               Basically, the impetus for our character’s actions is the loss of Earth’s gravity. With little time left for his own survival, Jeremy chooses to seek out Evelyn, the love of his life since the 4^th grade, in order to confess his feelings for her before he loses the chance forever. Importantly, the heart of the film lies in the character’s interaction – not the wild situation that they find themselves in.

               Christensen is able to do this by recognizing the limitations of his work. With such short film duration, it would be difficult for him to show us that Jeremy and Evelyn have a deep connection that we should ultimately care about. He very well could have packed in dialogue explaining their past, or how many times Jeremy tries to convey his feelings, or why they were denied happiness together – but he doesn’t. Instead, the only dialogue we hear is Jeremy reading over his letter in the opening of the film. While the words are simple, the heartfelt delivery and the fact that we are receiving a subjective view into his inner voice make the lines powerful. When Jeremy and Evelyn finally meet, no more words are necessary. Their tentative actions and eventual kiss let our imaginations fill in their past and how important they must be to each other. Understated acting performances and beautiful imagery work wonders in ways that words never could.

               A shallow depth of field throughout the film adds to the focus on the character’s interaction. Literally, the focus is on Jeremy and Evelyn’s faces – and nothing else. We see them walk towards each other, hold each other, and talk to each other in a haze of blurred sunlight and indistinct city views. While other people are present, they merely serve as backdrops to Jeremy and Evelyn’s relationship. This conspicuously dreamlike quality enhances the intensity of the dramatic narrative.

Watch here: Brink