RESEARCH: HIGH MAINTENANCE

I watched Short Film (winner at Sundance Film Festival) High Maintenance (Dir.Philip Van 2012). I was impressed by the 9 minute films enticing and imaginative near-future storyline about a woman's desire to exchange her robotic husband who 'lacks ambition and adventure' for a new robotic, personalised version of himself. However much to my surprise, when the new robotic husband is 'delivered' the audience see the female and her new husband renacnt the establishing candle lit dinging room scene eating food and wine. The quick, fast paced, match cuts between the female and her new robotic husband continue spookily the conversation she led with her previous husband, 'so tell me about your day, dear'. Swiftly, the new robotic husband switches off his wife by flicking the switch at the back of her neck, leaving him to turn the television on in the living room. I found this funny as it captivated my attention with witty actions made by both the wife and her new 'robotic husband'. This fast paced, plot 'twists' keep the audiences attention and adds enigma; questioning and wondering what the wife or husband is going to do next. 

The previous or 'old' husbands actions influenced a factor of suspense at points in the beginning of the film such as when his wife aims to pour him a glass of white wine which is swiftly responded by himself placing his right hand on the rim of the glass. This camera focussed on his hand for a couple of seconds; this emphasised the rejection of wine as well as the fact he made no eye contact towards his wife. This added suspense; making me personally feel on edge as firstly this isn't an action that you would normally make, made him look distant and 'cold'. This also added enigma as I wasn't sure whether he was going to switch moods and become angry. 

The use of sound significantly influenced the mood of film. The use of chewing of food and slurping of wine added to the awkwardness of the situation at the dinner table between the couple. The scratching, tapping and scrapping of the silver cutlery also added to the awkwardness between the two. The pacing classical piano music made me feel as though the night was becoming relentless with very little talking. 

The grand mise-en-scene in the dining room scene made the evening of their anniversary seem intentionally important and special for the both of them to celebrate. This grand, extravagant, expensive mise-en-scene included silver candle holders, silver cutlery, white china plates, silver gravy jugs and bowls on the table, bread baskets and white table cloths. With both of them sat so far apart on a long dining room table, it made me think that they were used to regularly socialising with the wife making dinner. The husbands awkward atmosphere and ora made the evening feel ruined as it was meant to be an evening they could celebrate; this added suspense to the evening.