We all have that one friend, who always calls on you to help them out, don’t we? Maybe even you’re that person? After Izzy Lee’s latest short, you’d probably reconsider doing those favours a little too often.
Jackson (Callaghan) just wants a quiet night in watching the game on television. The nachos and beer are ready, but as he’s about to settle down, he gets a call. It’s his friend Liz (Porter), who appears to have a problem. It’s clear it’s not the first time his services have been called for, and although it’s really putting him out, he agrees to help.
Once at Liz’s house, the favour Jackson has been asked to do is revealed to be something horrific. A body lies on the floor and Liz doesn’t have any plastic sheets. But that might be the least of Jackson’s problems…
Anyone who has seen Ms Lee’s earlier shorts, particularly Picket, Legitimate, and Postpartum will know her work has something of a political and social edge, but with A Favor she has chosen a story that displays a lot more humour. Writer Christopher Hallock’s simple set-up allows for lots of visual -almost slapstick – gags and provides a final great payoff, which although one might see it coming, is delivered so well it’s worth it.
The macabre nature of the story is never allowed to become too nasty, although as one’s mind conveys the situation, filling in the gaps of what’s actually gone on prior to Liz’s call, and realising it isn’t the first time she’s done this, the scenario becomes even darker. Although it’s a simple conceit, the execution ensures that there’s still a few amusing surprises.
Over the short space of the ten-minute film, Izzy Lee proves her worth as a confident director, not feeling the need to go over the top, instead allowing the horror and humour to develop naturally. Hopefully one day we’ll get to see what she can bring to a feature-length production. But for now, savour any chance you have to catch her shorts, which should be playing film festivals soon.
A FAVOR / CERT: TBC / DIRECTOR: IZZY LEE / SCREENPLAY: CHRISTOPHER HALLOCK / STARRING: SHAUN CALLAGHAN, DIANA PORTER, JOSE GUNS ALVES, STEVEN LAWLOR JONES / RELEASE DATE: TBC
