Directed by: Simmie Sangian, Buffy Milner, Morgan Aiken Written by: Buffy Milner Genre: Drama Length: 8 minutes |
Type
Jamie (Buffy Milner) is your typical high school girl. Class, boys, and trying to fit in is something many of us know a thing or two about. It can feel like the hardest thing in the world. A cruel experiment that drags us around in the dirt for a few years; and hopefully ends with the student being all the stronger for it. But Jamie has something else to contend with. The recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. A life long nightmare for even the hardest and bravest of us all. Type follows along as Jamie simply tries to be normal. No sympathy. No special treatment - nobody knowing the wiser. That is - until a collapse at a party nearly takes her life. It's here that Buffy Milner's Type begins it's 8 minute journey.
It's sometimes hard to get a lot accomplished in only a few minutes. Clocking in at under 10 minutes, Type attempts to jam a lot in a very short time, and mostly succeeds. Milner as our protagonist, does manage to convey the mixed emotions of a teenage girl. Andrea Taylor as Jamie's mother, also puts off that motherly vibe; or should I write that the 2 have a chemistry that works well here. Taylor sends us her parental concerns - and even understanding, and Milner captures that onscreen. Jamie's school cohorts also make an appearance and have no problem reminding us older folks of one thing. Teens can be brutal to each other. It's a sad fact of life but an honest one - and that brutality is captured, but not over done as in some high school dramas. Even Luke (Jardon Derrick) manages to leave an impression, even though he has very little screen time. With the direction of 3 different people, it's no wonder Type comes across as varied enough to feel real. High school is no steady pendulum - and either is diabetes. This was an interesting short film - one I wish was slightly longer. It's tough to cram so much into so little time, as I have written above, and Type does suffer a little under-stuffing. It just felt a little bit unfinished, or maybe what I mean to say is that I sensed so much was left untold. Even a few extra minutes. One extra scene. But Type does manage to tell it's story and look good doing it. For those looking for a quick title, this is for you. For those looking for a dramatic topic, with a little more depth, you may leave a little bit hungry. But only a little. |
