The Mole short film review
★★★★
Directed by: Ambrose Smoke
Written by: Ambrose Smoke
Starring: Lauren Engels, Jonathon Sawdon, Benita Katende, Paula Isiegas
Film Review by: Jason Knight
Angie (Engels) is intelligent, hardworking and determined. She got a job at a well-established corporation and is doing very well. However, in order to move up the career ladder, she must first overcome an obstacle.
The story begins with Angie having the job interview for that company. Her interviewer aggressively questions her until she convinces him that she is the right candidate.
A while later, having impressed her boss (Sawdon) with her work, she is given the task of presenting a report to the board, which she does with success. Her boss then plans to promote her to Global Head of Sales, discreetly requesting that she gets rid of the large mole she has on her forehead first. She then goes to extreme measures in order to do so.
This short starts of as a comedy drama and then turns into a psychological thriller. The plot focuses on the life of an individual, who refuses to give up and is willing to achieve her goals. It explores the injustice and cruelty a person must sometimes face due to their physical appearance and how badly this affects them. The script contains interesting characters and dialogue and rather tense situations.
Engels does a very good job as the protagonist. She portrays a strong and successful person, living in a fancy apartment, who now has to find a solution if she wants to move forward with her career. Sawdon is convincing as her boss, an intelligent man, who takes drugs and is unfair in his decision not to promote Angie due to her appearance. Angie finds support and compassion in her friend Becca (Katende), who looks at the bright side of things.
The music is rather interesting, with sounds of piano and flute. There is also a tense scene that is appropriately accompanied by the sound of a heart beating.
The filmmakers make effective uses of voice-over and montage sequences. There is a rather well executed sequence that includes superimposition and point of view shots that gives an idea regarding how Angie feels when people point out her mole.
It should be noted that there are also nasty and distressing scenes that involve blood and self-injury.
The Mole tells a story about the injustices of being treated differently due to one’s appearance and the effects this might have on them. It provides an interesting and thoughtful experience.
#JasonKnight
Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/377892710
