"If Only For a Moment", 2016 - Dir. by Larry Rosen, starring Janel Tanna
The Horror Nerd doesn't often review films that are not in the horror/sci-fi/fantasy genres, but every so often a film comes along that I really like, and I want to let others know about it.
I had a chance to see "If Only For A Moment" at a at the Grove Film Festival (run by filmmaker Larry Rosen) in New Jersey, and I instantly fell in love with the film.
Is it possible to tell a compelling story about love, loss and heartbreak in about 18 minutes with minimal dialogue? In the case of "If Only For a Moment", the answer is a resounding YES!
I was very impressed with the simplicity of the story. There are only three characters (one of which is relatively minor), and minimal dialogue, yet creator/writer/lead actress Janel Tanna tells a complete, touching story about two people who fall in love, and experience the same problems and heartaches that all of us are faced with.
As my loyal readers know, I do not like to give away too many plot details but, in summary, "If Only For a Moment" follows Tanna's character Jordanna, as she meets Dahlia, as singer in a club. They develop a romantic relationship, and the bulk of the film showcases that relationship, and how a fateful decision leads to a conclusion that packs an emotional wallop.
I had a chance to see "If Only For A Moment" at a at the Grove Film Festival (run by filmmaker Larry Rosen) in New Jersey, and I instantly fell in love with the film.
Is it possible to tell a compelling story about love, loss and heartbreak in about 18 minutes with minimal dialogue? In the case of "If Only For a Moment", the answer is a resounding YES!
I was very impressed with the simplicity of the story. There are only three characters (one of which is relatively minor), and minimal dialogue, yet creator/writer/lead actress Janel Tanna tells a complete, touching story about two people who fall in love, and experience the same problems and heartaches that all of us are faced with.
As my loyal readers know, I do not like to give away too many plot details but, in summary, "If Only For a Moment" follows Tanna's character Jordanna, as she meets Dahlia, as singer in a club. They develop a romantic relationship, and the bulk of the film showcases that relationship, and how a fateful decision leads to a conclusion that packs an emotional wallop.
Tanna, who is also the lead actress, and Amanda Damron as her co-star, both do an excellent job and bring us from the beginning of their relationship, all the way through to it's conclusion in a very candid, realistic way. I found the story to be extremely believable, and the two actresses could be people you know. The direction is ably handled by Larry Rosen who again, in line with the script, keeps it simple. I loved the long, lingering shots, and the subtle camera movements. The cinematography is also top notch for an indie short film. In fact, everything about the film is impressive for an independent short. The sound editing and soundtrack are perfect as well.
What is truly impressive is that this film was shot and edited as part of a 72 hour film challenge. I've seen a great many films made as part of challenges or competitions that turn out to be, well, as good as you might expect. In the case of "If Only For A Moment" though, I found it hard to believe that a film of this quality was completed in only 72 hours.
This is definitely one indie film to watch. As of this writing (May 2017), it has already been nominated for several awards, and I would not be surprised if it wins many!
What is truly impressive is that this film was shot and edited as part of a 72 hour film challenge. I've seen a great many films made as part of challenges or competitions that turn out to be, well, as good as you might expect. In the case of "If Only For A Moment" though, I found it hard to believe that a film of this quality was completed in only 72 hours.
This is definitely one indie film to watch. As of this writing (May 2017), it has already been nominated for several awards, and I would not be surprised if it wins many!
"If Only For A Moment" is an excellent example of why I love short films so much. It tells a beautiful, complete story in just under 20 minutes, and it is well worth every minute of that time.
Horror Nerd's Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Broken Eyeglasses!
Click this link for Janel Tanna's IMDB Page
Click this link for Larry Rosen's IMDB Page
NOTE: All images are property of "If Only For a Moment" and the filmmakers. NO copyright is claimed or implied.