El Camino Solo

I, like the other commenters, saw this short at the Manhattan Film Festival in 2015. It was unfortunately the low point of the festival this year. I was hoping for better representation from the only English language short.

If you've read the popular reddit comment (mentioned in Cory's review) before, you're going to immediately recognize this story and groan at how embarrassing the director's take on it is. I didn't see any credit given to the story's actual source, but I may have just missed it. Or who knows maybe it's the same guy and he just makes really schmaltzy condescending movies.

I was able to view this film thanks to the local showing of The Manhattan Short Film Festival, which included 9 other international selections. I would like to say it is because the film is grouped with such stellar competition that it appears flawed, but that would not be true. The reality is, there is some directing issues that distract.

It is apparent from the get-go that Writer/Director Shawn Telfords wants you to understand his lead in El Camino Solo is a jerk. The problem is, we never really believe it. That is the films biggest weakness. But there are some other issues too. Like, you expect us to believe someone's on the other end of that phone? Or that he is in such a state as to throw it? Or that on this long stretch, he would only notice a vehicle as it passes his own, making it nearly impossible to flag for help?

Thanks to the introductions to the director via the MSFF's format, it is easy to see that Telfords seems a very sweet man. I think that sweetness is glaringly imprinted on the final product. A vague Tarantino inspiration also feels present, felt in both the music and framing. The message is very nice, and his child actors are a delight. And, to the credit of his writing, the final gag regarding payment is executed to perfection. It is for these reasons I look forward to seeing more of his work, even if my praise is stifled on this piece.