Short Film Review: "Ladies & Gentlemen" Is An Awkward Comedy About Comedy
Ladies & Gentlemen is a fish-out-of-water comedy that explores the creative struggle of staying true to one’s self or wavering toward the status quo. This short will have you squirming and laughing at its affably awkward antics.
An amateur comedian, Nan, deals with some of the worst types of comedy personalities: a hipster bartender, a bitter host, an angry audience, and friends that don't get her humor. On top of her awkward encounters, she's facing a major crisis in her career: Does she create what the status quo wants or to stay true to her own voice?
Nan (Torrey Richardson) is a quirky, nature-loving girl with a love for comedy. There’s just one problem: no one seems to be in tune with her idiosyncratic sense of humor. Her unusual brand of comedy and inherent awkwardness have pushed her toward the life of a shy introvert who’s reluctant in her own abilities. But she’s rebelling against the doubt and fear and putting herself out there, braving dead-eyed crowds and skeptical friends to go after her dream.
Ladies & Gentlemen is a pariah’s tale that chronicles Nan’s creative struggle of staying true to herself or giving in to the desires or tastes of others. An awkwardly confident bleat (“BAAAA”) in the face of the status quo, the short deftly captures that outsider feeling and the longing to be accepted as you are. In this fish out of water story, you see the fish flounder in ways that are palpable and unexpected. It’ll make you cringe and squirm in your seat in between nervous chuckles and laugh-out-loud moments, and its central message of empowerment will inflate you with inspiration.
Written and co-produced by Torrey Richardson (who also plays Nan) and directed by Gabriel Oliva, Ladies & Gentlemen shows lots of promise for these newcomers. Richardson shows a knack for comedic timing and fully embraces the awkwardness of Nan’s character. She’s able to say a lot by doing relatively little. A lot of the film’s internal conflict is conveyed through non-verbals, and the way Richardson uses body language adds emphasis to Nan’s struggle. She gives Nan a three-dimensional feel with her performance, allowing a viewer to pick up on nuances that radiate beyond the script. Oliva showcases a nice eye for composition and effectively locks the viewer into Nan’s headspace.
The film use fantasy elements to contrast Nan’s inner serenity with the anxious tension of performing for the first time. Her sunny and lush interior presents us with a carefree and spirited version; whereas, reality finds her more shy and incapable of connecting with those around her. The film is able to showcase a lot in a short span of time, but we kind of wanted to spend a bit more time within the world — particularly in a post-performance sense. While Nan works up the courage to be herself, we don’t get the opportunity to see how she handles the aftermath to find out just how true she’ll stay to herself or her comedy dreams.
Overall, Ladies & Gentlemen is about staying true to yourself and finding your own flock, a group (or individual) who gets you. It’s about overcoming fears and judgements and celebrating who you are — even when you’re awkward as hell! With its strong lead performance, relatable themes, and awkward charm, there’s a lot to like here.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of the awkwardly affable, give Ladies And Gentlemen a watch! You can even peep the film right now by clicking here.
Rating: 3.5 open mics outta 5.
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!