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Film: Hard Truths
Year: 2023
Director: Maya Ahmed
Writers: Thomas Angeletti, Timothy J. Cox and Paige Hoover
Starring: Paige Hoover, Timothy J. Cox and Joy Kapp
Synopsis: Peter Gibney (Timothy J. Cox) is a long-time agent who is known in the modeling industry for being kind, generous and supportive of the people he represents. Model Hope Harmon (Paige Hoover) has been with Peter the longest of all his clients, close to 15 years. He tries to book her with an important client, but unless she were willing to undergo, in their words "dramatic changes", he’s at risk of losing the job.
Review:
Now this is a short that I got the chance to see thanks to co-writer and star, Cox. He sent me the link, asking if I’d be interested in watching it for review. Since I’ve enjoyed projects he’s sent my way in the past, I was willing to watch even if this doesn’t fall into horror, which is what I normally review. I decided not to recap since the synopsis I found lays out the story for what is needed.
We do start this in Peter's and he does well in showing that he’s stressed about a decision. He goes inside where Hope is modeling. There’s a good touch here that he’s been in the industry for a while since Meg Barnes (Joy Kapp), talks to him. We see that they’re on good terms. The same could be said for Danny Harmon (Patrick Johnston). He seems to be Hope’s boyfriend. He knows something is up and warns Peter about not upsetting her. There’s also the photographer, Lemuel ‘Lem’ Griffith (Ira Cross).
This all leads to Hope and Peter going into a room to talk. I could feel that pressure he’s under in telling her what the client said. What is good here is that we see that Hope has heard this before. She’s upset that Peter even asked. I don’t fully fault him though. He could have just turned down the job and never said anything. It is almost a Catch-22. He gauges her reaction and what it will be, but he already knows. There’s also a good touch here that Maya Ahmed is the director and Hoover co-wrote the script. It brings a feminine touch that men can’t fully grasp.
I’ll then shift over to discussing the acting performances since that is what carries it. We follow Cox until he sits down with Hoover. I like that we can feel his stress until they start talking. We then get her frustration. I think both do an excellent job. It feels like they know what each other will say. Cox means well, even though he’s upsetting her. I do like where things end for that discussion. The rest of the people we see help to frame the characters, which is good.
I think I’ll end by saying that this is also well-made. The house they used looked great. Feels like a place that would be used for what it is. Cinematography and framing were both good as well. Something I needed to credit is where it cuts. It is right after Peter and Hope’s talk, so we aren’t fully sure what is said to the client. I think I know, but it allows the viewer’s interpretation. For me, I judge shorts on whether this tells a complete story or if there is more that needs to be told, leaving me to see more. I think this is the former and I love it. The ambiguity is great.
This is a short that if it sounds interesting, I’d recommend it to you. The acting performances were strong and that is what you’re here for. It is also well made so that helps as well.
My Rating: 8 out of 10