A Favor (USA - 2015) by Izzy Lee is one of those short films that leaves a sense of satisfaction mixed with complacency at the end of viewing. The film in question is a black comedy that entertains, amuses and surprises. It could fit perfectly into a horror anthology to raise the average that these projects usually see lowered due to the shoddy episodes in them.
This little gem lasting just nine minutes is a concentration of good direction, screenplay (Christopher Hallock), cinematography (Bryan McKay) and acting, a short film whose quality is visible from the very first seconds.
As per the title, it all revolves around a favor that we cannot tell you anything about so as not to incur spoilers. What emerges here is the power a woman can have over men that allows her to get what she wants even in extremely delicate and dangerous cases. Jackson (Shaun Callaghan), the protagonist of A Favor in fact agrees to do a big favor for her friend Liz (Diana Porter). With some reluctance she gives up her day of relaxation at home and reaches the girl's home at the latter's explicit request.
Shaun Callaghan's acting proof is extraordinary and magnetic. His movements, his awkwardness, which emerges in certain situations in which he is not used to finding himself, make him an extremely likable and charismatic character who, with difficulty, does his best to extricate himself in the heavy task assigned to him. In this way, the horror, which is at the heart of the story, is tinged with humorous overtones precisely because of the protagonist.
The film's music (Shayne Gryn and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling) also affects the success of A Favor molding itself according to humorous and purely horror moments.
A Favor is a horror comedy tinged with humor. Naughty but at the same time funny, this short film directed by Izzy Lee (who has other short films behind him including Postpartum) also enjoys an unexpected surprise ending.
The film will be screened at the FrightFest 2015 London next August 29.
In addition to Shaun Callaghan and Diana Porter, the cast also includes Steven Lawlor-Jones, Jose Gonsalves and J. Zocalo.
