A Kiss from Calcutta and Intrigue: A Movie Review

Director: Christopher Drews.

Writer: Jacob Gentry.

Kiss From Calcutta is a thirty-two minute short from director Christopher Drews and writer Jacob Gentry. A darkly themed film Kiss is suspenseful, but also frustrating as some of the film is left unexplained, all the way to the end. The excellent visual imagery and an interesting story make the film recommendable, but a little more time could have been spent developing the characters, and storyline.

The film is centrally a tragic love story between characters Pete (Jacob Gentry), and Ashley (Kym Jackson). However, Ashley is an assassin and Pete is a coke addict; so, this is a relationship in trouble from the get-go. Add in a greater criminal element, and things quickly deteriorate between these two flawed and desperate human beings. But what about the unexplained elements in the film?

Pete's friend Chestor is killed by Ashley and viewers will ask: "why?" Yet, the questions do not end there: why is there a body in a bathtub, why are there a group of shady businessmen after Pete, and why the tragic ending? The questions continue, but one of the most important questions is answered. Why does Ashley falls for Pete? Simply put, Ashely is lonely.

The film is acted fairly well and the director shows an interesting visual palette. The best shot of the film is a long distance overview of a beach with Pete below looking contemplatively at the ocean. The directing techniques keep the visual sphere changing, with grainy shots to shaky camera angles. As well, Kym Jackson is understated in her role, while Jacob seems more suited to writing than acting. Other minor characters come off believably and enhance the film, rather than distracting from the flow of the story.

A time well spent Kiss from Calcutta can be watched a couple times to demystify some of the intrigue from the film. As well, the film can be interpreted a few different ways, and the film is a joy to watch, overall.

Characters/interaction/believability: 6.5.
Plot/story/unity/overall structure: 7.75.
Directing/coaching/staging of action: 7.5.

Overall: 7.25 questions answered out of 10.

Kiss from Calcutta at its Homepage

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