A man meets with a woman in a restaurant where they get to know each other. As they talk, not everything is as it seems.
Written and directed (and edited) by Juanjo Haro, this short film takes a simple premise and spins it on its head. It builds what looks like a meeting between two lonely people in a restaurant through their conversation into something quite different. About halfway through the film, something happens that greatly affects the plot. As this is an important factor into this film, it shall remain a secret here. The film takes this and works with it, explaining itself in images, something that may not have been needed, but works well nonetheless.
The cast here is very important as the entire film rests on the shoulders of the two leads. Playing Laura is Laura Heredero and playing the man coming to meet her is Javier Uriarte. Both of them give somewhat cold performances, but that is what the story calls for. They need to discuss their lives a little and create a rapport without much emotion, which they manage very well. Both of them are strong performers in that sense. Their performances are the central point of this short and they do not let it down or give away what is coming.
Assisting these actors and the story is the music, a piece called “Human Emotions” oddly enough. This piece by Emmett Cooke, gives the film its emotional punch, its connection with the viewer. It’s strong and used in the right spots to create the right emotions and to help the story with how it feels while watching it. This musical piece is perhaps the most emotionally charged part of the film and it works great this way. It was clearly carefully chosen and it was a great choice.
30 Minutes with Laura is a short film that is less than 9 minutes long (including credits) and it packs a punch when all is revealed. The second half of it is almost not needed but welcomed nonetheless. The acting is perfect for the story and the music haunting. It’s a cool, short watch to look out for.