Director Joe Burke is a man seen around these parts for the last two or three years and he’s a man who has managed to spawn some great reviews from yours truly who has been so far impressed with what his indie shorts have to offer. A man of many genres, Burke best knows how to capture that twenty something sentiment enabling his cast to work within their limits while painting the portraits of cities that are darker than our own and lives that seem to be nothing but heading for a dead end romantically and emotionally. Past efforts like “Coop’s Night In” have proven that he knows how to portray actual characters on screen without any need to exaggerate what we’re seeing.
“Nice Knowing You” is another short drama that takes three young people on the verge of a new chapter in their lives who have to move on and say goodbye to their once joyful youth. What Burke accomplishes with “Nice Knowing You” is looking at a friendship that lasted a long time. This allows the characters a platform for their feelings as the last night of their lives together come to an end in a whisper while feelings are made apparent, feelings that bring them a bittersweet sensation but also a sort of liberation taking a leap in to the unknown as they ready themselves to be apart forever. Thankfully as the events unfold Burke never acknowledges the characters’ actions as black and white. Instead he asks us to look at these people with an understanding as to what their last night means to them.
Unrequited feelings, anxiety and horror fill the air between the trio and this eventually leads to a place in their hearts that they never thought existed. Once again Burke pulls out immaculate performances from the entire cast (especially Abby Wathen) and allows his characters to unfold in to new depths at such a short running time. As always Burke works within his realm of understanding and introduces three rather ground thirtysomethings facing a new frontier in their personal lives that will decide how they live their remaining days.It looks like Joe Burke has done it again proving he knows how to properly portray young adults in modern society by taking the classic formula and making it pop in less than a half hour. From unspoken feelings to living with life changes right down to excellent performances, Burke’s thesis film is an absolute win, and I remain a fan.