The tinkle of a piano and the tedium plastered across our heroine’s face goes a long way to tell us something about the state of our central character. Sure, it has been done to death, but so have most aspects of relationships within the story world of film. Two Eggs, Scrambled, written and directed by Melissa Dimetres, uses this method to open the case for another alternative (can we call it?) romance.
There is no significant dialogue spoken for the first few minutes, which might well be more hefty given this is a short film (around 17 minutes). Dimetres is happy for us to casually make out our minds up as to the possible background of this woman – and why she is at this glum stage. As the audience, we’re not directly informed that the status of the central male figure is that of a homeless person, but it is definitely implied. Are we challenged to assume? Or indeed, even further, make the leap that this working woman would stop her car to offer this man solace.
In both her direction and words on paper, Dimetres is keen to demonstrate the differences in people. He might not have a home to call his own, but he has an opinion on the semantics of the menu wording. He also drinks his coffee through a straw and exudes a heavy dose of people analysis. For her it is likely a refreshing change, not only to the mundane of the life portrayed here, but perhaps one of the more interesting men she has met in her adult life. And too, hearing home truths might increase the attraction it seems.
The fact Two Eggs, Scrambled looks and feels like a low budget short is to its credit to some extent. The simplicity of human interactions – and all its complications too – wouldn’t shine any brighter with several coats of gloss. Melissa Dimetres finds a lot of grit and passion from her acting duo. Tim Holcomb is just fine, though he does not come across as natural as his co-lead. The casting of Arielle Jessop – a painter and artist no less – is an apt and affecting choice given the demonstration of loneliness and longing she provides – we might almost feel her emotions from such a performance.
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