[Film]

The Road

reviewed by Ashley MacQuarry

Written and directed by Owen Thomas, The Road clocks in at barely 5 minutes, but packs quite a punch nonetheless. Thomas’ film is a funny, ironic twist on the idea of karma. There is no dialogue; instead we watch as a series of strangers perform small acts of kindness for one another, things as seemingly insignificant as depositing a coin in an expired parking meter or allowing a customer with only one item to cut ahead in line. The film is beautifully shot with lots of long tracking shots and makes effective use of music. There is nothing inherently sinister about the score, a piano and string-laden piece, in fact it is almost cheerful. Yet, there is something about the music that gives the viewer the feeling that something terrible is about to happen. When it does, it is no less surprising or darkly hilarious.
http://www.myspace.com/theroadmovie
http://www.owenthomas.org