Moments after discovering this short, a whimsical narration and eerie musical background welcome the viewer to an unexpectedly fresh experience. Lovecard Fate starts off as a fairy tale-like adventure, following a woman’s inevitable journey as she awaits her date with a man after having had her destiny read.
Anticipating the worst, but wishing for the best, the woman’s love life seems twisted around at each turn. She grasps for each clue which would keep her and the man together, looking forward to their meeting. As time passes by, each one of the film’s main motifs adds more meaning to the plot, strategically placed in the story to suggest the setting of a romantic encounter and further immerse the audience into the life of the protagonist.
The chosen scripting method, in which the unseen narrator playfully switches between words to ensure their rhyme, delivers a refreshing monologue. This way, the audience is sure to be left wondering about the next stage of the plot, impatiently waiting to discover the girl’s destiny and the film’s conclusion, hooked on the poetic style of the short’s writing. In terms of originality, this manner of composition is impactful, it never feels overdone and helps with keeping the storyline dynamic and captivating.
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The soundtrack itself, although quite repetitive, contributes immensely to crafting the psychedelic experience of a tarot reading, enveloping the short in a sinister but intriguing aura. Each musical tone feels right and works well with the overall sensation of the film, shifting from slow-paced rhythms to piercing reverbs. The original theme blends in softly with the narration and background audio effects, making for a simple yet effective final product. Being in charge of the musical mixing and producing department, Robert Davey creates a successful auditory visualisation of the story.
Lovecard Fate is a grand example of a short with limited production budget, but exquisite interpretation of the script, which works marvellously. The idea of the plot is well-known as the concept of love and dating has already been adapted into film material for a long time, but the execution of this short feature is quite striking.
Even though the production elements are common and at first, do not seem to be suggestive enough for serving as an efficient creative asset, they manage to pull off the improbable. Keeping this in mind, I would highly recommend viewers to check out this amazing piece by Cath Shayler and Marianne Chase.
