Review: Baggage (2013)

From Mumbles to Benjamin.  In his newest short film “Baggage,” Rob Dimension ditches the clown make-up and booze for black frame glasses and a curious little briefcase.

Short films are an interesting thing.  You’re provided an extremely limited amount of time (typically under 30 minutes) to process the information given.  Because of this, shorts often feel rushed or incomplete.  Thankfully, “Baggage” is neither.

Meet Benjamin (Rob Dimension).  From the start, we see that he’s not quite normal as he wakes up and wishes good morning to his unresponsive, cold lady-friend.  He casually primps and dresses, eats breakfast and heads out to catch the train for work.  Instead of allowing us to “meet Benjamin” on level ground, the filmmakers let us know something’s off from the first scene.

As we continue our journey through Benjamin’s day, we begin to feel sympathy for this character.  He’s soft-spoken and shy.  He’s afraid of confrontation.  All the while, the questions loom…   What happened to the woman at the beginning?  Where is this all going? Any film that keeps me guessing is doing something right.  Once Benjamin’s day starts coming to a close, the film shifts into high gear and our protagonist’s mind begins to unravel right in front of the viewer, all culminating in a final few frames that I still see when I close my eyes.

“Baggage” is a stylish little film — shown in black and white — that questions how we deal with fantasy, reality and the co-mingling of both.  The music is simple and the special effects are sparse, but extremely well-executed.  Directed by Jeremiah Kipp and written by Rob Dimension, this 15-minute short introduces a complex character in which everyone can see themselves.  We’re all normal, right?  At least we think are.  No matter what we may say or do to get there.

If you get the opportunity, be sure to check out “Baggage.” It will be making its world premiere at Monster Mania on Sunday, August 18: