Mirror

Mirror is a short film presenting diverse but antithetical emotions playing on a young girl who could be suffering from a functional interference. The conflicting, sporadic paroxysms of emotions are portrayed by Jaimie Marchuk very skillfully and naturally. The brief moments of realization between every little transitory expression are captured expertly in such short film. The principal idea of the story may have been intentionally left to interpretation to direct the attention of the audience to the profundity of the plight the girl is in. It is critical for a film of such short length to convey the subtlety to achieve the intended response.

The apposite setting of the bathroom renders the plot its significance without a trail of ambiguity. When Evelyn – the name of the protagonist could be assumed from the divulging element that appears in the end – stares into the mirror at her insensible reflection, a train of conflicting and uncontainable emotions speed through her mind not intercepting the normal flow of activity even in the abandonment of her mental faculties. The creativity in editing could be seen during the rapid switch between the girl’s emotions which may seem to happen concurrently, one in reality and another in her muddled thoughts during the shower. It could also be esoteric when one interprets the quick successions to be a realization of what she has done to herself incorporated into the regret she is feeling, but as mentioned before, the plot is very intelligently left to a gamut of interpretations. However, the way she keeps thumping the bathroom wall could only be understood as her self-accusation for her actions leading her to the situation she was in, and her incapacity towards the same.

The handling of the camera is deciding in this genre, and in such confined environment to deliver the urgency, and to elicit the viewers’ involvement, which is brilliantly done. The implementation of the objects coming into focus very slowly is really appreciable; it is the work of a pro. The director has a great confidence in the plot and her complete involvement, and belief in it rendered such artistic film. A shout-out to the sound department; it was of great influence to the plot and is in accordance with the gravity of the scene all the way.

When the girl comes out of the shower and seats herself on the toilet, the antithesis of the reality will be revealed in the mirror. It might be a deliberate attempt or could be a mistake in editing, but the character in the mirror is seen adjusting her hair, and out of the character. Again the incomplete disclosure of the prescription bottle could be an act of intention too. One will be expecting to see what she has been going through which led to such a climax, but the plot with no premise will leave no such trail.

The idea of Mirror is very profound and the beauty of the film lies in it. The one important episode is what is to be presented and that was done with authority. An artist who could deliver such an amazing film with almost no dialogue and no established story in such short stretch is sure to go a long way in the art of storytelling. Kudos to the team.