Movie Review: The Path of Most Resistance
The Path of Most Resistance (2007)–***1/2
The Path of Most Resistance is a tremendous short film from writer/director Peter Kelley, one that not only sails by on first viewing, but also retains its momentum the second (or third) time through. The real test, in fact, was that second viewing. While the film has its issues, the things we enjoy the first time through are the things we flat out adore on subsequent viewings.
The film follows Tom (Tim Rouhana), a high-end cat burglar whose job is getting in the way of his romantic life. He can’t tell people, even girlfriends, what he does, so he’s rebuffed on his attempt to connect with an ex on New Year’s Eve. He has a job to do while everyone else is celebrating, meaning the promise he makes to show up at a party will likely be broken. His ex expects it.
The ex’s assumption is confirmed when Tom runs into a little problem. The house he breaks into has someone in it, someone who swings a mean toilet tank lid. Her name is Prudence (Spencer Grammer), and she is visiting her father, a collector of very rare Beatles items. After knocking Tom out, she ties Tom up, partly because she’s intrigued and partly because she needs someone to be with on New Year’s Eve. The two spend the evening together, learning each other secrets and quirks until the clock strikes midnight.
Clocking in a 50-minutes, The Path of Most Resistance isn’t a long film, but it certainly should be longer. That’s one of the few criticism’s I have. In fact, it’s not much of a criticism; it’s more a suggestion to anyone willing to revisit a short film and turn it into something bigger.
I say bigger knowing full well that this small film must stay confined in the house setting where most of the events takes place. Yet, The Path of Most Resistance could do well to recast with name stars and add about 20 or 30 minutes of Tom and Prudence banter. It has the all potential to be a classical Hollywood romance; it just needs Hollywood power burst.
In the hands of the current stars, the film is still solid entertainment. Grammer, whose natural charm will lead to a bright future in screen acting, gives the kind of bubbly, kind of sad performance we got from Natalie Portman in Garden State. Unlike Rouhana, Grammer can deliver all the lines with ease, even if the dialogue isn’t always the most natural.
I expected a better performance from Rouhana, especially considering Kelley’s history as an acting coach. Rouhana’s David Schwimmer meets Tobey Maguire acting style doesn’t fit the sophisticated criminal. Fortunately, he manages to find the chemistry with Grammer.
That chemistry is important, as it holds the film together in spite of the things I mention above. Rouhana is good at being charmed, and Grammer is good at being charming. Combined with a energetic original score by Kaz Boyle and production value that most television shows would envy, the performances make The Path of Most Resistance a gem of a short film.
The Path of Most Resistance, starring Tim Rouhana and Spencer Grammer, directed by Peter Kelley, was recently screened at the DGA Theater in New York City. For more information on upcoming screenings visit www.thepathofmostresistance.com.
Get Email Updates
