Short Film Review: "Mical" Is A Love Letter To A Mother's Determination
Following their success with 2018’s Secret Child, producer Gordon Lewis, director Yewweng Ho, and cinematographer Darius Shu reteam for their latest short film, Mical. Based on the true story of Pat and Mike Jones, the film seeks to raise awareness and create change in the education system for children struggling with dyslexia.
A seven year old boy struggles to make sense of words on the page. But when Mike is diagnosed with dyslexia and the teachers continue to fail him, his mother takes matters into her own hands to help her son fulfill his true potential.
Set in Bristol, England in 1977, Mical effectively showcases the hardships of dyslexia (a learning disorder which affects roughly 15% of the population) and how one mother took it upon herself to make a difference, a battle she still wages to this day. The film is as much a testament to a mother’s determination as it is an underdog triumph and an eye-opening plea to reform the educational system that continues to fail those diagnosed with the disorder. With no legal requirement for schools to employ teachers that specialize in dyslexia, it’s all too easy for dyslexic students to get left behind. The stark reality is that the struggles dyslexic children endured in the late-70s aren’t too different from those encountered today, but there’s hope on the horizon.
Mical not only brings awareness to this seldomly discussed issue; this luscious, well-manicured, and breezy biopic also seeks to inspire all with its optimistic true story about how one dyslexic boy, Mike Jones (played by William Biletsky), rose above his affliction. After the education system chewed him up and spit him out, Mike’s parents, Pat (Jayne Lunn) and Peter (Dale Grant), are at a loss as to how to help their son. Peter is the more detached and aloof of the two, passive and inactive toward Mike’s difficulties, confident that he’ll catch up but quick to dip out for the men’s final. Pat, on the other hand, is as plagued by Mike’s condition as he is, and she’s determined to help him overcome the obstacles. When she realizes that the specialty schools are beyond their means, she ambitiously takes it upon herself to develop an educational strategy designed at targeting Mike’s specific needs.
Aside from the sociological importance, Mical succeeds as a cinematic piece, which is endearingly woven by the film’s cast and crew. The period aspects are splendidly rendered, with production designer Elizabeth el-Kadhi and set designer Poppy Bell wholeheartedly capturing the late-70s feel. Cinematographer (and associate producer) Darius Shu gives this period piece an excellent sheen, providing crisp, clean visuals that draw the vibrancy out of its color palette. Yewweng Ho’s direction is unfalteringly smooth and cohesive, with the superbly snappy editing from Straun Clay making the piece as taut as possible.
The acting is uniformly solid, but it occasionally veers into the overly melodramatic or sentimental, which makes certain moments ring a bit hollow. It never stays bogged down for long though, saved by the short’s brisk pacing and the story’s uplifting and compelling narrative. A definite high point is the lovely toe-tapping montage of Pat working with Mike to bring him up to speed, which is neatly arranged by Clay and aided by the 70s feel-good vibe of Boney M.’s “Sunny." Another prominent musical fixture that elevates the film is Roy Todd’s “Silhouette.” Todd’s haunting, xylophone melody — which feels like a cross between a Giallo score and Willy Wonka’s “Pure Imagination” — serves as the musical backbone of the short, creating a mood that is matched by Shu’s framing and Ho’s clear vision.
Overall, Mical is an important film that reminds us all that not everyone is what they appear to be on the surface. It’s an incredibly well made short that succeeds at what it sets out to achieve. It raises awareness to an important issue, calling attention to Pat Jones’ work, while also inflating viewers with its infectiously charming inspirational message.
Recommendation: If you love inspiring true stories or period dramas, definitely give Mical a watch. In fact, you can peep the whole short right now by clicking here!
Rating: 4 moments of triumph 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!