Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Dim The Fluorescents shows that struggles of making it in the theatre and film industry.
The Film follows best friends, Actress Audrey (Claire Armstrong) and Playwright Lillian (Naomi Skwarna), who are struggling to find work in their creative fields. Audrey goes on multiple auditions per week and never hears anything back while Lillian hasn’t been inspired enough to write a play. In order to put their talents to good use, and make some money, they create a company that role-plays demonstrations for corporate seminars.
Dim The Fluorescents has great chemistry between its lead characters. Armstrong creates a complicated and lovable woman out of Audrey. Even when Audrey is at her worst, Armstrong brings a charm to her that leaves her appealing. Skwarna creates a distinct and peculiar woman out of Lillian. Skwarna creates a lot of mystery involving what Lillian is doing and what her history is throughout the Film because of her unique persona. Armstrong and Skwarna play their character uniquely quirky yet polar opposites. This combination of personalities matching up together brings a dynamic that brings the script to life.
The Script, written by Miles Barstead and Director Daniel Warth, has fully developed and unapologetic characters. It’s refreshing to see characters like this. Barstead and Warth also do a great job in creating comparisons between the lead characters and the role-playing skits they are writing and performing. The script withholds a lot of information about the characters which aids to the mystery surrounding them and holds the audience until the end. With each progression a character has, there is something lying beneath the surface of their next corporate seminar that relates to them.
Overall, Dim The Fluorescents is a quirky Film about the love artists have for their craft. It displays complex female characters and has great chemistry between the two leads.
levelFILM will release DIM THE FLUORESCENTS in Toronto at Carlton Cinema on Friday, December 8, 2017.
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