Humor Masks Heartache in This Dark Comed

Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Barely Breathing
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Genre: Short, Comedy
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 20m
Director(s): Derek Evans
Writer(s): Neal Reddy
Cast: Neal Reddy, Anil Bajaj, Lindsay Bytof, Gunner Willis, Vas Sanchez, Alex Nguyen, Dre Bravo, Kyle Gaskin
Where To Watch: TBA

RAVING REVIEW: BARELY BREATHING emerges as a brilliant, insightful look at human behavior in a world of dark comedies. Combining sorrow, laughter, and convoluted family relationships, it is a story that engages the viewer, what they accept as their limits and challenges them to think outside of the box. The movie revolves around Sai (Neal Reddy), a young man thrown into a new world after an accident, almost claiming his life and his last bit of dignity. The event sends him into a spiral of deep, unresolved grief — and the pressure to navigate returning to live with his father and stepmother.

This sends Sai down the rabbit hole into taking part in an autoerotic asphyxiation support group. The characters' interactions keep the audience fully engaged, and despite being a little predictable, they keep us on our “tippy toes,” adding the perfect mix of humor into a story that covers some deep subjects. As Sai traverses these challenging times, the movie walks this tightrope—making one laugh out loud and immediately stop to think about pain and recovery in equal measure.

Neal Reddy, who also wrote the film, passionately explores these internal conflicts. Reddy tackles so much within 20 minutes, from the depth of dealing with death to the extremes of personal pleasure (just watch the film; don’t read up on it, just watch it once available!)

Director Derek Evans combines dark humor, comedy, and heavy death, grieving, and family themes in this compact short. His impeccable directorial vision helps to sustain the narrative rhythm and tackle all of this awkwardness in an accessible way.

The film tackles many themes surprisingly well, making for a complete story. There is room to stretch the movie out if the team decides to make a feature-length film, but sitting back and looking at this, I see it tackled the three-act formula pretty well! Not everyone will understand the comedy within the film, making some uncomfortable. Still, this deliberate balance helps the viewers continue to challenge themselves while watching.

BARELY BREATHING is a reflective and imaginative work that utilizes comedy as a tool to find the soul inside our darkest times. Neal Reddy’s depth in his portrayal of Sai is the core of the film, funneling love, sorrow, pain, and joy throughout his performance. You should never laugh at someone else if you can’t laugh at yourself. The film asks tough questions and emerges as a success.

BARELY BREATHING is a moving film that forces viewers to navigate the fine lines between humor and sorrow. Unique in its storytelling and rich emotion, it is an unforgettable adventure that will stick with those who enjoy a little more raw humanity in their narrative. Although some of the darker comedic notes may not find a universal audience, its original story and themes make it a must-watch, thanks to a passionate and dedicated cast and crew.

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[photo courtesy of RESPECTFUL PRODUCTIONS]

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