How Long Can You Put Off Your Dreams?

Read Time:4 Minute, 38 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Retirement Plan
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Genre: Comedy, Short
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 7m
Director(s): John Kelly
Writer(s): John Kelly, Tara Lawall
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Time is an illusion, especially when it comes to the way we convince ourselves that the future holds all the space we need for our unfulfilled ambitions. RETIREMENT PLAN distills that concept into an animated short that is both amusing and introspective. In just seven minutes, it taps into the universal habit of postponing personal aspirations until the mythical “right moment.” With a sharp sense of humor and an undercurrent of existential reflection, the film asks its audience: how long are you willing to wait?

At the heart of the story is Ray, a man with a long list of things he plans to do—someday. Voiced by Domhnall Gleeson, he is the embodiment of that inner voice we all have, the one that constantly reassures us that there will be time later. Whether it’s finally picking up a long-forgotten hobby, traveling, or just slowing down to appreciate life, Ray is sure he’ll get around to it once retirement arrives. But as he compiles his list, there’s an unspoken tension beneath the humor—a quiet realization that the time he’s banking on may not be as infinite as he assumes.

What makes RETIREMENT PLAN work is its ability to balance humor and introspection without becoming heavy-handed. There’s a relatable wit to Ray’s musings, making his pondering feel less like a crisis and more like an amusing confession. His aspirations aren’t unrealistic or dramatic; they’re the small, everyday dreams most people hold onto but rarely act on. Despite its short runtime, that universal appeal gives the film a surprising core.

The animation, crafted by Marah Curran and Eamonn O’Neill, takes a simple yet effective approach, focusing on transitions that reflect Ray’s mental wanderings. Instead of flashy visuals or intricate character designs, the film relies on movement and subtle shifts in scenery to guide the audience through Ray’s thought process. There’s a dreamlike quality to the way the animation glides between the present and his imagined future, reinforcing that these dreams exist only as long as he chooses to keep them as possibilities rather than realities.

Gleeson’s voice performance perfectly fits the character, blending charm with just the right amount of uncertainty. His delivery captures the casual way we justify our procrastination, making Ray feel familiar. He isn’t a caricature; he’s a believable, everyday person, making his journey all the more compelling. There’s warmth in his voice but also a lingering hesitation—an underlying doubt that maybe, just maybe, he won’t get to everything on his list.

John Carroll Kirby’s score enhances the film’s reflective tone without overwhelming it. The music flows with the pacing of Ray’s thoughts, shifting from lighthearted melodies to more pensive undertones as his realization takes shape. It’s subtle but effective, complementing the animation and voice work rather than competing for attention.

One of the smartest narrative choices in RETIREMENT PLAN is its use of repetition. Ray’s repeated “I will…” statements are a pointed commentary on human nature. The more he adds to his list, the clearer it becomes that his plans may never move beyond words. This clever technique emphasizes the film’s themes without spelling them out.

RETIREMENT PLAN delivers an effective and engaging meditation on time, ambition, and the human tendency to put things off. It doesn’t lecture its audience or force a moral conclusion, but it does leave a lingering question: if you keep waiting for the perfect time, will it ever actually arrive? That thought makes viewers pause and reconsider their “someday” goals lists.

The beauty of this short film lies in its quiet but impactful message. It’s not trying to change lives in a grand, dramatic way—it simply holds up a mirror and asks the audience to look closer. And if a seven-minute animated short can make someone think twice about how they spend their time, it has done exactly what it set out to do.

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[photo courtesy of ANTIDOTE FILMS]

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