Aug 4, 20203 min read

Proximity short film review

★★★★

Written by: Brittney Rae

Starring: Brittney Rae and Ricky Herrera

Proximity Movie Review

It’s been a while kids, a long, windy road of sand and dry stuff like...sand, a place where we lack celebrations and joyous confetti throwing, a place where we can praise those oh so important triple threats, and not only that but how long has it been since we have enjoyed a female triple threat?

Now I don't believe gender is important, I can do stuff, men do stuff, we all do stuff, but in this circumstance filmmaker Brittney Rae's triple threat female powers play a role when discussing her work and most recent short film, Proximity. So strap in because women do things like vote and read and make films now, so let’s dive in to Miss Rae's adventures in front of, and behind the camera.

Proximity is the story of a young woman (Rae) who is a live-in receptionist at a hotel, and while those duties may keep her busy, she still makes time to get it on with the owner of the establishment. But then a new bellhop arrives, he has a hat, he has a tan, a vest and an uno-brow and like all women, she swoons.

These two love birds are caught in the act and swiftly fired, they take to the road searching for a way to make money, a way to survive now they are out on the streets, and it’s not long until the old Bonnie and Clyde syndrome kicks in and they rob a diner...things move quick in this romance it seems.

This is all we are given in regards to the story in Proximity, but Rae is not interested so much in what the characters do on screen, but more of who they are as people; both share interesting backstories from their past, Rae's character divulges a tale about her kissing her stepdad and the mistreatment she felt at the hands of her mother, we instantly become aware that this woman has a troubled past. Her presence on screen is stiff and unemotional, making her impossible to read, but this story gives us the sense that she has seen some shit in her life.

Herrera admits that the tales he tells have been lies, a bid it seems to impress his unresponsive lady, but she continues to take control of the whole foreplay they are going through by staying stoic, the concept that all good romances require a little mystery is the main player here, he is powerless to someone displaying no real desire for power.

Rae takes inspiration from films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and Fire Walk With Me, as we are exposed to the awkward close-ups and long periods of silence that come with such films, fetishes for people eating, smoking, anything, in fact, to do with their mouths, play a role within this short film, not unlike David Lynch's obsession with food in the Twin Peaks series (coffee and pie anyone?). All allowing for that fun and quirky style that seems right at home alongside a story such as this.

Beautifully shot (the café’s colour scheme and the wide-angle shot made me weep like a baby) kooky acting style and a storyline that leaves us wanting more and more, make Proximity a must-watch for fans of the style and as an introduction to those who may not be so well-versed in the ways of this particular style of cinema.

#RachelPullen