Cueball

The past year has been a challenge for us, and the challenge continues. We might be a step behind, but our ability to adapt and be resilient to everything that is happening around us has been evident in the way we have handled our situations, particularly during the lockdown. Home quarantine may have hindered our mobility to the outside world and socializing with other people, but we have found our way through the internet. Many have taken over web meeting platforms, social media sites, and of course, the trending video-sharing social networking application as a leeway to convert usual daily outside activities into home self productivity. However, have we really taken over the new normal through the internet and these apps? Or has it taken over us and took advantage of our lockdown vulnerability, emotional and mental state due to these inevitable changes? Well, in today’s short film review, we’ll look into the life of a couple in lockdown, whose world depended on the deceiving picture and video-perfect life in social media networking. It is called “Cueball” by the remarkably multi-talented director Brandon C. Lay.

The short film “Cueball” may remind many of us of our home lockdown experience, where we try to make the best inside our home to cover our worries about the uncertainties of the outside world. We made use of what technology has to offer to keep ourselves sane from everything that is happening. However, everything has limitations. We, humans, have our own too. There is just too much that we can handle. Our means of diversion from the current situation may have brought us ease, but how far can it hold our sanity? Cueball showcases a story of a couple named Sara and Jer. Their story mirrors the reality of what is inside us mentally and emotionally. The honest truth we try to cover up with picture-perfect smiles on our posts, staging the ideal quarantine life, while keeping up with others with the same facade. The intimidation and the emotional turmoil slowly build up as they get consumed by the perception of how they should present themselves, and deliberately denying the human factor between them.

“Cueball” remarkably surprised me. And knowing that is a creation of Brandon Lay, I expected the emotional depth and substance, and he didn’t fail me and gave me more. The way he translated an ordinary setup into something that can be deeply felt by many experiencing the same is truly exceptional. Brandon Lay has a distinct way of unraveling the message of the story with great impact by the use of underlying emotional dilemmas of the characters. Aside from that, lead actors Sarah Cugini and Jeremy Thompson also contributed a great deal with their talent in acting. I am impressed by their commitment to giving a realistic and personal touch to the characters they portray. Overall this is one of my favorite lockdown films this season. It is real, it is raw, it is redefining the true drama. And I like it a lot! Cheers to Brandon Lay and Living Proof Pictures. Great Work as always!