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Directed by Aidan Bose-Rosling
Starring Chris Fennell
Short Film Review by Monica Jowett
Short film The Jester follows Adam, a troubled teenager. The opening scene sees him standing on a rooftop, ready to jump to his death. Through a series of flashbacks, we find out the many events which drove him to this point, all started from when he was expelled from school.
Writer and director Aidan Bose-Rosling has created an interesting piece of cinema that touches on several sensitive issues such as depression and child abuse. Rosling has a tendency to over generalise these problems, yet ultimately The Jester shows how bad the effects can be and how much they can go unnoticed.
Adam (Chris Fennell) carries the film well, yet at times it can be hard to believe he is truly affected by what has happened to him, due to a jarring delivery at times. However, this is a tough character with many layers, and with just 30 minutes of the film, he does well to convey the impact the abuse and lack of love he has been through.
The flashbacks and time jumps create an interesting narrative, yet the changes in time make it harder for us to follow what happened to Adam in what order. The problems Adam faced started with him being expelled from school because of something he did, and though it feel like there should be a build up to it, the payoff of what happened it not completely satisfying. In fact, it is act other points of the film where you feel more for Adam, such as the instance of a teacher acting inappropriately to an underage boy.
The music of the film is what helps to build the suspense and drama about what is happening to Adam. At just the right moments, it can send a chill down your spine, and builds on the awkwardness of the situations Adam finds himself in.
Rosling makes a powerful statement with The Jester, yet at certain times it does not have the impact it probably should. Fennell can be praised for giving a sufficient performance as Adam, whose many troubles are brimming below the surface.
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