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Introduction –
The Phone Call, an Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short Film at the 87th Academy Awards is a simple yet powerful film that reflects the complexity of human emotions, its repercussions on our choices and its effect on our lives.
Synopsis –
Heather ( Sally Hawkins ) is an introvert, an individual contented with reading books and a job at a crisis hotline center.
The very first scene offers a glimpse of the interiors of the call center followed by a muffled introduction of Daniel, another employee. It is obvious that Heather and Daniel like each other.
The morning quickly turns palpable when Heather receives a call from a man called Stanley aka Stan ( Jim Broadbent – Never Appears on the Screen ). For the major part of the film, Stan talks about his wife who passed away two years back and how he missed her. He talks about their lives when she was alive, his passion for Jazz as a creative choice and also as a profession. The background music seeping through the telephone receiver and Stan’s frequent sobs and breakdowns turns Heather emotional.
Stan then reveals that he’s taken an overdose of depression pills, and now his only desire is to spend the last few hours chatting with someone who understands his pain. Heather is aghast. She searches the office files, trying to trace Stanley’s location or case history if at all there is one. She then offers to send an ambulance. Stan refuses. Minutes change into hours. Heather frequently looks at her watch and at times at the wall mounted office clock.
Before the call ends Heather is offered the true identity of Stan. Stan’s real name is John.
Massive spoiler ahead – Stop reading if you intend watching this film
The end of conversation is quickly followed by an ambulance stopping in front of John’s house. Moments later the door opens and an old lady walks in. She wishes John lovingly. The passage is abruptly scattered with white light. The visual is dazzling, pure and halo-like. She is John’s wife, Joan. From inside the room John welcomes her with equal vigor.
Explanation –
The white light signifies that John is dead and now in the company of his wife in heaven.
Last Scene –
The men from the ambulance enter the same house, and drive away with John’s body lying on the stretcher.
The film ends with Heather and Daniel enjoying drinks in a small club where Stanley used to play with his band.
Analysis –
The conversation between Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent covers a gamut of emotional shades, of loss and redemption in its most grotesque form. It also ponders on the subject of “Time”. With a fixed timeline at their disposal, humans need to wrap up their decisions, their take on various subjects quickly. Sally Hawkins has done a tremendous job. Performing in a static setting with limited expressions at her disposal is truly remarkable.
Cinematography is excellent. Some of the shots are really soul-stirring. As for the direction, Mat Kirkby has surpassed the rest of the team with his brilliance. The only chafe is the depth of the story. Millions of men lose their soul mate, but most of them deal with loss in the true spirit; cherish life.
2013 Mat Kirkby Mat Kirkby & James Lucas 21 Minutes YouTube & Other Channels