movie: A Day at the Oasis

A Day at the Oasis

(category: movie: Comedy Romance?)
by

Beckett (writer) & Lethbridge (director)

Produced by Caffeine Pills Productions in 2010
Nick was invited to the movie premiere, in March 2010

Nick's rating: 7 out of 10

Nick's opinion:

It's difficult to know what to think, when your own son directs a movie. Sure, it'll be "okay" -- we trust Tim's judgement, and he seems satisfied that the movie is okay. But what will we say, if there are major flaws? More important: it's neither science fiction nor fantasy, so will I be interested at all?!

Yet even as the titles roll, I am reassured. This will be, a good movie!

Here's this dweeb, fussing about, preparing for a speed dating session. Interspersed with titles written with chalk on a blackboard -- no expense spared:-) There are a few good chuckles, right from the start.

The other characters appear, in dribs and drabs: it's clear that this speed dating will not be a huge success. Dorks, dweebs, drongos. Miserable or shy or stupid or rude or loud... or all of the above. But -- as we find out -- all are lonely. Not at all people you would be afraid to meet in a dark alley. Just people who you would cross the road to avoid, to avoid the prospect of uncomfortable conversation. And the movie brings us to understand, sympathise with, almost like, all of them.

This is our son's second movie. The first was made by friends and family, purely amateur involvement. It came from a statement, after watching a "professional" movie, that, "We could do better than that!" And they did! This second movie began with a friend with a script. As far as I know, the writer, producer, director, editor... all have "real", other jobs. Actors, film crew, various others, are a mix of professional, semi-professional and amateur.

The actors do great work, bringing their characters to life. At first I am embarrassed, particularly by the man in charge, as he fails to bring life to the meeting. Then I am brought to understand and appreciate: at least he is trying. Others come out of their shells, or let us know that they really are okay human beings, still inside their shells.

Technically... I am not qualified to judge. It looks good, it sounds good, it all flows well. The movie is a straightforward story of a group of possibly ordinary people, learning and growing. A strength of the movie is that we grow to understand, possibly even like, these ordinary people. (Even if we would still cross the road to avoid speaking with them!)

Best of all -- to my way of thinking -- there is a happy ending!

I was going to rate this movie as eight out of ten. But wondered if I was perhaps biased. And finally decided, a rating of seven leaves room for the next movie... to be even better!

Movie Update

June 2010: A Day at The Oasis has been accepted for a film festival: Revelations Film Festival. There is also an written interview by FTI, the Film and Television Institute -- and an interview with the Director on ABC TV News.

Read, watch, listen, enjoy. And -- if you can -- see Oasis at its Festival screening!

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your own documents, email nick leth at gmail dot com.