Through a fine tongue in cheek attitude, director Shannon Michaelas explores what life is like as a little person, especially in the midst of the popularity of Peter Dinklage. It’s insane how much one actor has come to define an entire group of people, but lo and behold, “Peter Dinklage” explores how the popularity of the man has helped popularize little people for better and for worse.
While the film itself is funny, it’s also kind of depressing, but director Michaelas keeps the tone light enough to where we can feel for character Ben without leaving the film with a frown. It’s just one problem in a seemingly normal life of normal man. Ruben Francis gives a very good performance as Ben, an every day man who happens to be a little person and is almost constantly confused for Peter Dinklage, of “Game of Thrones” fame. Ben approaches life with as much patience as humanly possible while just about everyone either mobs him or harasses him when confusing him for Dinklage.
Francis’ responses and expressions toward people that insist he’s Dinklage makes for some good laughs, and you can also empathize with how much of a hassle his problem makes his everyday life. The premise is simple enough as we follow Ben through everyday activities, and watch as he tries to convince people he’s not Peter Dinklage time and time again. It’s funny, and somewhat bittersweet slice of life that I quite enjoyed, and it’d be good to see this stretched in to a feature film somewhere down the line. Francis is a talented performer, while Michaelas really does know how to capture the woes of everyday life.