The story follows Joe (German Anselmo), a shy teenager, who makes a wish to see his dad only to wake up finding Ernest Hemingway (Justin Powell) in his room who he ends up spending an eye-opening day with.
This is an outstanding short film, filled with thoughtful dialogue and interaction. It is very well produced with excellent camera work, editing and audio recording. The sets, costumes and background music all fit together very well. The plot is the key ingredient. The film begins with Joe reading a book and sees a note in the book saying, "As you get older, it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary." Later, Joe makes a wish to see his dad and the next morning, wakes to find Ernest Hemingway hovering over him. He and Ernest spend the day together and Hemingway's words of encouragement have a positive effect on him. When Joe goes to play dodge ball he is apprehensive and Ernest shouts out, "Take no prisoners and be no man's prisoner. Dodge it like it's a bullet. Throw it like it's a grenade." Joe plays like he never has before. In English class where they are reading "Old Man And The Sea," by Hemingway, the teacher asks Joe what the fish symbolizes and Ernest tells Joe that the fish is a fish. He encourages him to stand up to the teacher, which he does. This is a great scene with dialogue between Hemingway and Joe that seems like it could have been a likely dialogue between the two. The teacher can't handle Joe's response and sends him to the principal's office. To her credit, the principal looks beyond the book disagreement and asks Joe what's really going on in his life. Joe reveals his concerns about his Ernest father not wanting to be present in his life, to which Hemingway says, "It is not manly to deny your feelings or grit your teeth when your heart is breaking. It is an act of courage to speak the truth..." Meanwhile, Joe's mom confronts the teacher and puts him in his place, perhaps a bit too extremely so. Afterwards Joe and his mom walk home together and their bond grows closer. Joe realizes how influential his mom has been and how she has always been a steady influence on his life. As Ernest takes his exit, his parting words are, "There isn't any me. I'm you, don't invent a separate me, kid." Kudos to the Directors, Emily Pillemer and Juliette Monaco, who are also co-writers and producers.
The film's message is about believing in yourself, so you can be your own hero. There is some profanity and alcohol use. Hemingway carries a flask around with him and frequently takes a swing or two.
I give The Importance of Being Ernest 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Zamyra G., KIDS FIRST!
The story follows Joe (German Anselmo), a shy teenager, who makes a wish to see his dad only to wake up finding Ernest Hemingway (Justin Powell) in his room who he ends up spending an eye-opening day with.
This is an outstanding short film, filled with thoughtful dialogue and interaction. It is very well produced with excellent camera work, editing and audio recording. The sets, costumes and background music all fit together very well. The plot is the key ingredient. The film begins with Joe reading a book and sees a note in the book saying, "As you get older, it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary." Later, Joe makes a wish to see his dad and the next morning, wakes to find Ernest Hemingway hovering over him. He and Ernest spend the day together and Hemingway's words of encouragement have a positive effect on him. When Joe goes to play dodge ball he is apprehensive and Ernest shouts out, "Take no prisoners and be no man's prisoner. Dodge it like it's a bullet. Throw it like it's a grenade." Joe plays like he never has before. In English class where they are reading "Old Man And The Sea," by Hemingway, the teacher asks Joe what the fish symbolizes and Ernest tells Joe that the fish is a fish. He encourages him to stand up to the teacher, which he does. This is a great scene with dialogue between Hemingway and Joe that seems like it could have been a likely dialogue between the two. The teacher can't handle Joe's response and sends him to the principal's office. To her credit, the principal looks beyond the book disagreement and asks Joe what's really going on in his life. Joe reveals his concerns about his Ernest father not wanting to be present in his life, to which Hemingway says, "It is not manly to deny your feelings or grit your teeth when your heart is breaking. It is an act of courage to speak the truth..." Meanwhile, Joe's mom confronts the teacher and puts him in his place, perhaps a bit too extremely so. Afterwards Joe and his mom walk home together and their bond grows closer. Joe realizes how influential his mom has been and how she has always been a steady influence on his life. As Ernest takes his exit, his parting words are, "There isn't any me. I'm you, don't invent a separate me, kid." Kudos to the Directors, Emily Pillemer and Juliette Monaco, who are also co-writers and producers.
The film's message is about believing in yourself, so you can be your own hero. There is some profanity and alcohol use. Hemingway carries a flask around with him and frequently takes a swing or two.
I give The Importance of Being Ernest 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Zamyra G., KIDS FIRST!
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