Marriage Unplugged: Review

4th November 2024

Marriage Unplugged: Review. By Christopher Patterson.

A Magnificent Drama And Overall Just A Brilliant Short Film

Marriage Unplugged is a must-see in the mountain of short films right now. Truly. Sharp and particular in its execution, and a flat out captivating watch. Easily this short film could’ve become too melodramatic, yet it holds back and perseveres its beauty for the duration. It’s quite rare to see a realistic marriage on display, and especially when it uses sci-fi, and rather than likely ruining the realism, sci-fi here makes the realism even harder. James as a character is almost a tool to show the failure of the marriage. A test to see if they are ready for the next stage. The next step. And like many marriages, it crumbles beneath the weight. Without indulging or even discussing how a sex robot like James even exists, the film opens the doors for discussion even more. And that is the power of the film. Knowing what to keep and not to do in the film. It’s a film that feels as nested up as it could be into a bow known as stimulating cinema.

Right at the start of this short film, we see a couple argue over one looking at a sex doll through the window. While she believes he looked, with understanding, he very much disagrees, leaving a fascinating scene to think about. In my eyes, all great openings give you something to think about, and quite honestly, this one does. It doesn’t overstay its welcome nor indulgence itself in the conversation that could quite easily go on and on or be too short. Just right if I had a word for it.

The sex robot of the film is used, interestingly, to show the flaws of the relationship more clearly. With the sex robot in the room with the couple, our characters’ thoughts feel more clear due to the sex robot’s very direct invasion of their life, their way of communication and their behavior. James is like a spotlight, interrogating each person by sometimes doing nothing. But saying a million words all the same.

One thing I despise about sci-fi is when I see the plot could be better done without any futuristic nonsense. If the world was just our world, it could hit even harder. That is, in my eyes, the worst thing sci-fi can provide. A waste of thought. Here, thankfully, that never really occurs. The plot is brilliantly weaved with each character to where it depends on them. Without James, this relationship likely would just go down without us seeing, being another broken marriage, but with James, they are thrown into the spotlight of truth where their love is tested.

This short film, like some of the best, rather than feeling trite or banal or flat out too short, just feels right in its decisions. Rewatching it, I can’t find a place where the script could be indulgent without the whole film having to be indulgent, losing its sharpness. And you could do this with anything; the film really is held together like steel and cannot be loosened. And this grip is what makes the film addicting.

And awesomely, the film is never overly sad or overly happy, unlike many films that explore this unknown thing called marriage. Rather, it is just a simple showing of a dysfunctional relationship at play without ever feeling excessive in its showing of the downfall of it. In so many films about dysfunctional relationships, the films can get so dull with very dry writing and so much overuse of shock value that one can feel like the film is intending to waste the rest of your life out of spite. Thankfully, when I was watching Marriage Unplugged, I couldn’t help but wanna clap for it just being itself and not one of those excessive, indulgent marriage flicks that come out so often and are so often just plain awful and make you upset thinking about all the awesome things you could’ve done and instead you chose that.

VERDICT

Marriage Unplugged is a surprising short film. It’s well directed, better than some films in theaters; it’s neat in its precise use of dialogue and sharp acting that plays into its subtle yet at points very clear script; and it’s simply a very entertaining short film. Thankfully not banal due to its use of sci-fi and not lost in the plethora of doors it opens with a sex robot. The acting is pretty strong and feels lifted from script to screen quite satisfyingly, with the standout being the actor for James, who is able to do a lot with how little he’s intentionally given in dialogue. This is one of those short films where the time passes by just like that. If you are hooked in the introduction, then you will be hooked to the final shot. A true must-see in short films that doesn’t come often.

4.5/5

Facebook

Google

Twitter

We hope you're enjoying BRWC. You should check us out on our social channels, subscribe to our newsletter, and tell your friends. BRWC is short for battleroyalewithcheese.