Surprise ★★★★★

Review of 'Surprise' which can be found here or on the BBC Film Network.

Length: 01:27

Written & directed by Ben Dodd

Genre: Film Noir

Date: 2006

Rating: ★★★★★

Logline: A dead body in a bathroom and a murder to solve.

This is a clever one shot, one minute (the other 27 seconds are credits) genre specific treat to behold. Black and white film, thumping orchestral soundtrack, cinematic grandeur. A fine example of a short indeed.

Pacing and structure is superb. Equally so because of its short length. I'll break it down for you - Opening image: The entire room (tiny bathroom) from above allowing us to survey the carnage of a dead body, woman standing looking at it and a knife on the floor. Set Up: A closer look at the body, running shower, and close up of the woman in underwear. The look on her face, is it malice or shock? We don't yet know. Mid Point: We then realise that the film is playing backwards. A stroke of genius as it turns everything on its head. The knife lifts from the floor. Turning Point: And the man is alive again, we can summarise clearly what has occurred to cause his death, none of which fit out original suspicions. Closing Image: The reveal (and title) of the word 'Surprise' written on the mirror is the final clue and ironic twist which concludes the sequence.

The camera movement directs our eyes to exactly what the director wants us to see without any background interference and reveals specific clues at specific times allowing the audience to do all the working out in their minds. Set design is great as is the chosen location, both adding to the mood and feel of the short. Black and white is a tricky thing to light, especially with the checkered flooring and assortment of tonal variations going on in the scene but has been expertly done here. Simple story done in a stylistic and original way, technically brilliant, hits all the right story beats, engaging for an audience and it's only a minute. Canny beat it.

No more talk, watch the film for yourselves.

Best Bit: Figuring it all out at the end.

Worst Bit: Erm, it's Film Noir. (not a fan)

Final thought: Technically, there was no need to disturb someone in the toilet with a birthday cake. He could've been doing something a lot worse than shaving.

Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.