The realm ‘Oso’ conjures is disturbing, involving, and above all, powerful. The story of the film is about a man called Javi breaking into a house where his daughter lives with her mother. 

The protagonist is clearly an unwelcome presence here. The reason behind this circumstance soon becomes clear as the film takes you deeper into its world. The space is marked by the horrors of a monstrous being; if literal for one character, it is metaphorical for another. 

The exploration of Javi’s reality, a relative phenomenon existing beyond the area of any definite, monolithic truths, is portrayed with meticulousness and beautiful, albeit disturbing, authenticity. The sound design and the seamless edit become remarkable strengths of the film, ensuring no stone is unturned in presenting to the viewer this extremely unreliable narrator that they cannot help but feel for. The writing, storytelling, and performances further allow the film to be a cohesive whole.

Oso | Short Film of the Day

What would happen if Victor Frankenstein were to bring a monster to life in contemporary times, with access to modern technology, his research being part of an online course titled Cadaver Reanimation? The two would be called Frankie and Benny, to begin with. 

Our modern-day version is marked by a bonhomie, or at least the desire for it, instead of the cold repulsion of a creator from his monster. When Frankie brings his dead friend Benny to life, he realizes he has on his hands something very different from his dreams of a rekindled friendship. Instead, he now finds himself with an 'abomination', as he calls Benny himself, who is here to stay for life, and not simply for Christmas. 

The resultant narrative is marked by humor, but also, by the brutal aspects of existence and the human body that creep up on the viewer in the most unexpected ways. They make you flinch, but at the same time, also ensure that you cannot look away from this story of grief, guilt, friendship, loss, and the eventual circuitous path back to hope and companionship. The chemistry of actors, and the other crucial components of the film’s world - make-up, sound design, writing, visual grammar - all supplement the endeavor to ensure ‘Frankie and Benny’ becomes an endearing, entertaining narrative about the experiences of a shared bond between two friends.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links