A below average guy is seduced by a television advert promising to help him become a better version of himself in James Dubbeldam’s short film ‘A New You.
Over the past few years James Dubbeldam has managed to set himself apart as an intriguing film maker, having produced a number of short films these past 12 months, the majority of which Screen Critix have reviewed. We have always enjoyed his work as it usually breaks from convention and showcases his flair for innovative storytelling, leading his productions to stand out thanks to his unique and fresh perspective.
The same can also be said of Dubbeldam’s latest piece, A New You, which explores the world of infomercials and turns the spotlight on the immense pressure people face in their quest to become the perfect version of themselves. It also serves as a nostalgic nod to the body-swap comedies of the ’80s like Big and Vice Versa, and the ’90s Freaky Friday and What Women Want, films where characters switch bodies and have to experience life as someone else. It is this genre of film that forms the backdrop for Dubbeldam’s engaging 6-minute short.
As the film opens we meet Bob, a slob played with sloth-like sluggishness by Diamante Clark. When we first meet him he is sitting flaked out and pathetic in the middle of his sofa drinking beer and watching television in his house late at night. It’s at this point that his attention is grabbed by a cheaply made TV infomercial promising him a New Life and New You all for just $19.99.
“$20 bucks for a new me” Bob says to himself realising he has nothing to lose. The $20 tablet arrives within minutes and Bob swallows it down whole with a chug of beer ready to wake up as a completely new person. It is here that things begin to take a bit of a turn.
Although the premise may be paper thin and the criticism about the hunt for perfection made many times over, A New You manages to stand out thanks to Dubbeldam’s original ideas. Bob’s house is sparsely furnished with just a sofa, TV, and table in the front room, while Bob himself is dressed simply, in a plain white vest and shorts. Both these choices give us the impression that Bob is quite lonely and pathetic, it helps us as an audience to believe that Bob is truly run down and would quite easily be sucked in by this brightly coloured infomercial. The infomercial itself is extremely funny, garishly coloured, and filmed in a grainy style that looks just like cheap late night telly. The advert shows us two rundown individuals similar to Bob who take a pill go to sleep and wake up looking like beautiful catalogue models. It is a fun ad and Clark manages to pull off both his incredulity at the extraordinary claims but also his desperation to fully believe them and make some changes.
The lighting choices for the room of dark and light flashes contrast beautifully with the tawdrily bright colours of the advert. Meanwhile. the twist in the tale, although telegraphed, works well and Dubbeldam even manages to add a second twist that isn’t quite as obvious. This again shows his ability to pull the wool over his audiences’ eyes.
While not quite as accomplished as previous efforts Dubbeldam’s A New You still remains a valiant and original production, it’s a six minute comedy film that has a little bit of everything, including a nicely balanced helping of drama and laughter.
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