Too simplistic in construction and delivery

Two friends get together for a poker night and, while they wait for the others to arrive, they start to play. Stephen starts to quiz his friend Brian about any latest sexual conquests he may or may not have had. During the course of the conversation, the stakes start to rise – but not on the table so much as in the conversation.

Poker Face is a low budget short which mostly occurs between two cast members. In the concept it is a nice layout with only two actors and everything dialogue driven over a game which involves bluffing and luck; and the nature of it means that we have a two- hander in a single location (more or less), which is a setting that short films often benefit from if they do it well. In this case though the film is too simplistic in how it sets out to do what it does, and this is most obvious in the writing. The dialogue between the two men is reasonably natural – perhaps a bit too much swearing and posturing, however it is far from clunky; the problem with it is that it really isn't servicing what the film is trying to do. I was looking for the dialogue to drive the tension and have intelligence through it, but instead it is very direct and lacking in finesse. This in turn limits the performances as they become also to-the- point with what they are doing.

In the end this approach runs through the whole film, since the conclusion is also lacking in that edge or complexity, as it just lays out the situation in an unlikely and rather antiseptic manner. Technically it is solidly made but without much shine or sparkle to it – which to be fair is not bad for a low budget short, but it does feel like it was working so hard to get the basics right that it never took risks or looking for chances to really do something smart. Overall the film has that feel – one of being too simplistic and direct to really engage the viewer, and with a delivery that does all the basics well enough, but doesn't get beyond that.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

Stephen and Brian sit down for a friendly game of poker, but as the game progresses, it becomes clear the stakes are much higher than we initially thought.

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Russell Crowe, Steve Bastoni, Daniel MacPherson, Elsa Pataky, RZA, Brooke Satchwell, Paul Tassone, Liam Hemsworth, and Molly Grace in Poker Face (2022)

Sarah-Maeva Cialec, Gwendoline Ginoux, Miki Davis, Shane Senior, Siân Roseanna, Jase Rivers, Bobby D'Buze, Immanuel Olufade, Chris Freeman Jr., Fabrice Arfi, Lina Novikaite, Barbara Orti, Dan Candler, Sarah Collins, Obi Juwah, Zoe Czavda Redo, Yasmin Chadwick, Penelope Joannidou, Harvey Chowlia, Melad Kareme, Fabrizio Santino, Sanj Surati, Akbar Merchant, Jane Elsmore, and Bryony Maya Normanton in Poker Face

Dustin Strong and Josh Henry in Poker Face (2015)

Josh Henry and Lesa Wilson in Poker Face (2015)

Dustin Strong and Lesa Wilson in Poker Face (2015)

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