A spirited celebration of pointless rebellion – well made, honest and engaging character piece (with fireworks)

In some ways you should know where this film is heading, because it features a trio of men who are deep into adulthood, but yet still kill their time blowing stuff up with fireworks and smoke-bombs. The so-called Smoke Bomb Boys are led by local "legend" (or "asshole", depending who you ask) Eddie Bombay; they are a tight group, until one day Wes decides to do whatever the opposite of breaking bad is, and get his life onto the normal track. As a narrative it seems simple, but the film rises above that by virtue of the energetic delivery, and the dedication it has to its characters.

This is not really a short with a nice clean narrative arc, but it is one which is at least honest about its characters – this is who they are, and this is what they do. It is certainly misguided of them as a life choice, but the film goes with them to the point where it almost feels like a documentary with its naturalism and refreshing lack of narrative obviousness. In a way, it is a pointless journey since the characters really change nothing and learn less, however the style of delivery celebrates this while also letting us in on the characters for who they are (better or worse). This punk-inspired delivery does make the film really engaging and enjoyable, with the home movie approach adding realism as well. The cast get into this, and just like the overall delivery, there is a honesty and realism to their characters which really does sell the place and the people.

Ultimately, it is a film about pointless rebellion (it tickled me as a Brit that the short film site I use chose to make this their feature on July 4th!) but in a way the pointlessness of it is the point – and as such it is engaging, well made, fun, and honest.

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Smoke Bomb Boys

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