“Mixed Reception” by Emma Richardson, Will Austin

“Mixed Reception” is a rare pearl in the cinematographic panorama of short films. Although brevity may appear to be a limit to creative freedom, the two directors, Emma Richardson and Will Austin, make it a strong point and build a work with a unique and surprising narrative structure. The bride’s maid of honor decides to make a speech during the wedding party and in the time of a simple monologue, the apparent order of things is turned upside down in a hilarious escalation. Richardson’s subtle and magnificent script is far from essential though: in an ascending climax of twists and turns, the story becomes wilder every minute.

With great mastery of the short format, the two directors grapple with the difficult genre of comedy, finding in the simplicity the space for a virtuous cinematographic work. The camera, suspended between the astonished audience and the face of the protagonist, places itself in an ideal perspective. As if every camera movement coincided with the feeling of amused surprise that envelops the viewer. The strength of the narrative premises also make us desire an expansion of the story into a longer film, which, we are sure, could be just as amazing.