Review: Happenstance

Emily Kirk (Chris) & Christian Sullivan (Keith)

Amid the pandemic, it's nice to watch feel-good movies: comedies, rom-coms, horrors for some of us. Still, in recent years I've been very turned off by romance. Not in life, but in film. The formula of modern romances often bore me, but in watching and reviewing Emily Kirk's romantic short, Happenstance, I've got some of my faith back.

The simple yet sweet story does follow a pattern we've seen before, but the witty dialogue and the way the film is shot immediately solidifies the film's charm and originality.

It's a love story that keeps us on the edge of our seat. We know what will happen, we know it has to happen, but in just a little over six minutes, it makes us work for it. When we finally get our pay off, it feels as though we just watched a full-length film. It's a cutout, a moment in time for the sweet coupling that we get to see and connect with.

Kirk, a stand-up comedian, and actress wrote, starred, and directed the film. She plays Christina, a young woman arriving at a friend's house for a birthday party. However, in a house filled with guests, she makes her way out to the patio because she knows Keith will be there. Keith, played by Christian Sullivan.

Christina is an understated character. She isn't our run of the mill "I'm the nerdy friend of the hot guy I wish would love me." She's gentle, and she is the friend, but there is subtle confidence about her. She wears a bright red dress one only wears when ready to make a statement. She has a plan coming to this party; we watch it unfold. Keith is the flirty, hip friend. He comes off as the devil may care type, but as the film continues, we see his vulnerability. The dance, both figuratively and literally between the two, is delightful to watch.

As far as film structure goes, it's impressive how Kirk and crew managed to create clear and concise acts. Many short films fall short in this area, and the audience can be left confused because of it. It is clear that this is a lower budget film. There are times when the audience can tell, but these moments do not overpower the film's heart. Admittedly at first, I wasn't a fan of the opening shots, they felt chaotic, but I realized later this was intentional. Our hero must cut through the chaos and the noise to get to her goal. It adds to the 'good' tension in the story.

Overall the film was a pleasure to watch; there's a reason it won Best Romance at the Shore to Shore Film Festival. There's always a cheesy element to romance, so if that's not your thing, then no, this is not a movie for you. If you need a quick, simple escape, the film will do the trick. We all remember the moment before the first kiss. The tension, the sexiness of it all, when it was perfect. This film allows the audience to relive this moment in time via our heroine.

The film is making its way through the festival circuit. Unfortunately, many festivals are delayed due to the pandemic, but viewers can stay up to date with the film via happenstanceshort.com.

About the Writer

Deanna Gomez is Editor in Chief of the WODC blog. She helms the Spooky Bitches horror column is the co-creator and showrunner for The Bad Feeling Podcast. (2020)