|
While by
nature I am just a cynical realist bastard prone to be more open to dark
fiction than more idealistic and naive fare, Dan Masucci manages to
convince me time and time again that he's worth investing time in. While
his movies are utterly intent on focusing on the best of life, he can
manage to evoke a sadness beneath the smiles as well. It's most explored
in "The Trampoline." While not containing much of a narrative per se,
it's more of a practice in just enjoying childhood and remembering when
your childhood was so sweet and care free, and Masucci takes great pains
in reminding his audience of a time where we want to go back to and
would like to go with someone we adore in our lives.
|
"The Trampoline" is something of
a dramatic fantasy in which a busy father with a long list
of duties, puts everything aside to take care of his
daughter he has to spend the day with. At first slightly
hesitant and annoyed, he dives head first in to his
daughter's world indulging her in everything she desires
from dress up to tea party right down to throwing teddy
bears. What starts out as just a fun exercise in good
parenting turns in to a sweet chunk of a man's life. He's
setting aside his responsibilities for his priority and
learns to appreciate his daughter's childhood.
|
|
 |
Because she soon will grow in to someone in need of being
responsible, and he may never see her that happy again. In the mean
time, he gives her a chunk of his own childhood sharing a fond
memory and the two end up in a fantasy world where they can share
happiness for as long as they want it. For some this might be a
polarizing little film thanks to its unabashed optimism, but I loved
it mainly for its undertones and its themes of parenthood and the
joys it can bring you but also remind you of a time where you had
nothing to do all day but play and be happy. Masucci brings aboard
some fantastic photography as well as gorgeous visuals providing an
almost Neverland-like element to the climax of the film, and I just
ate it up with a spoon.
This is
a rather entertaining and adorable short film about the joys of
parenthood and the ultimate realization that childhood and innocence are
very fleeting, so one should enjoy it in every way while they can.
|
