CELL ADORE FILM FESTIVAL - Clementine
CELL ADORE FILM FESTIVALLaurie Barracloughs’ short, Clementines, follows Clem (Isabella Speaight) a young woman who returns home to attend the funeral of her stepfather. Clem runs into her former stepsister, also named Clementine — played by Molly Murphy — and as the two begin to catch up, it is revealed that they had a relationship, which deeply affected each one after they were separated.
The relationship between the sisters is the main driving force in the short. The two leads do admirable jobs at bringing their Clementines to life. The history of the two isn’t greatly explored, but one can surely feel the past between the characters, which is put on full display in the film’s intimate climax. It is in these quiet moments that the short finds its strengths, but not its voice.
The cinematography has the same muted digital look that can be encountered in the majority of indie films. A splash of some visual flare might have assisted in making this short stronger, not relying solely on its performances for success.
Clementines is a serviceable and promising debut that doesn’t quite find its voice. The performances of Speaight and Murphy are underrated; they are, however, what gives the short the blast it needs to fully work.
