In the short film The Morning After, a gay interracial Brooklyn couple copes with life the day after the 2016 Presidential election. Directed by Lauren Minnerath, it’s a short story about how each person in a relationship handles huge life changes.
In this case, that change is the reality that Donald Trump has become president. Nicole, who seems to be the passionate one of the duo, awakes so distraught she can’t get out of bed. Her girlfriend Angela on the other hand is stronger, preaching her case about getting on with life.
To make matters worse, they’re meeting Nicole’s father as a couple for the first time today. A stereotypical, conservative type trying to win his daughters affections despite being clearly tone def. While the rocky relationship has lots of issues (namely inviting his daughter to his recent wedding without a guest) there’s a new conflict, the election outcome. The news remains in the background, yet accentuates the division between the two.
Nicole walks out of that lunch angry but you feel there may be some hope for her and her dad. She joins Angela back home to clean up the previous night’s party and try to make amends. Part of that clean up involves deciding whether or not to keep the lovely Madam President cake that adorns their table. At Angela’s insistence, it stays. Although she rebukes Nicole’s efforts to talk, she eventually allows herself to experience her own emotions. Once she does, Nicole comforts her.
The short film The Morning After is a simple story. But also one that has a lot of layers. The 2016 Elections were an intense, anxious time and that morning after elicited intense emotion in many. It’s interesting to get a glimpse into one of the many numerous stories that would have been transpiring in families and couples across the country. Especially one that would feel more impacted by it like Angela and Nicole.
Each woman has a moment to face their own feelings. But other than that, the political aspects aren’t fully explored. There’s more focus on the ‘meet the parents’ style brunch the two attend with Nicole’s dad. The recent election outcome serves as a back drop, but the conflict it would create feels like the more interesting storyline. However, what we lack in story development we get back in performances. Throughout the thirteen minutes, the two women feel like a real couple. And producer Taylor Hess who plays Nicole nails all the emotions in the restaurant scene.
The Morning After is a quick peek into a couple’s life during a tense, and turbulent time. It illustrates the parallels between how they deal with the aftermath of the election and how they handle personal conflict.
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