A man in physical and mental torment tries to deal with personal trauma when a chance encounter with a similarly struggling single mum provides both with a new way of understanding things in George S Evans’ Meeting Point.
The 28-minute short film, Meeting Point is many things, a two-hander, an ensemble piece, a romance, an unrequited love story, and a drama, but what it definitely isn’t is fun. Director Evans takes us to some dark places within his film and it sometimes becomes uncomfortable, but thanks to some powerful performances both in front of and behind the camera, it always remains watchable.
Set in and around the Midlands, specifically the town of Redditch, Meeting Point tells the story of Andy, a man who has suffered such devastating recent trauma that it has left him broken and in constant physical and mental pain. Unsure where his life is leading or how long he wants to keep it, a chance encounter with a single mother gives both of them a new perspective, a new friendship, and a chance to share their stories. The twist shows how fate has brought them to this place, their meeting point.
The performances from all the cast are extraordinarily strong, Jon Laight’s Andy is an emotional wreck, Julia Bentley’s Vicki is cold and unfeeling yet somehow welcoming, while the standout is Drew Noon’s Jack – the confused and angry partner of Vicki and father to her son. Noon steals the short with his vicious but understandable anger issues, his frustration at his own inability to grasp what Vicki is getting from her meetings is palpable.
Evan’s cinematography manages to capture the raw, gritty realism of working-class England with a naturalistic style that serves to immerse the audience in the world of its protagonists. The film frequently employs handheld camera shots and natural lighting, lending a documentary-like feel to the visuals. This choice helps convey a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing viewers into the personal spaces and emotional moments of the characters. The camera often lingers on close-ups of faces, revealing the subtle expressions and emotions of the cast, particularly in scenes of tension or conflict, highlighting the vulnerability and innocence of the people at the heart of the story.
The Redditch locations are another important aspect of the film with Evans making extensive use of the plain Midlands setting, incorporating wide shots of the dull, grey skies and areas that form the backdrop of our characters’ lives. These shots not only establish a sense of place but also underline the isolation and entrapment that runs throughout the film reflecting the characters limited horizons and their suffocating circumstances.
The colour scheme also plays a significant role in Meeting Point, with a muted and earthy colour palette that mirrors the economic and social environment. Yet, amid the bleakness, there are moments of brightness that help the story lift itself, scenes on a beach, bridge, or at church highlight happier times for our characters when they were full of hope and ambition. These scenes starkly contrast the darker, more oppressive aspects of the story. The actors are framed, sometimes tight and claustrophobic while other times loose and expansive highlighting the characters’ different emotional states and their desire for escape and, or connection.
If you are in the right frame of mind then Meeting Point will be a rewarding short film experience to be involved in, but if you are looking for something lighter and more mainstream it would probably be best to choose a different point to meet up at.
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