Roughly twenty years is probably enough time for most audience members, if not this particular critic, to forget one of the most famous twists in movie history, especially when they only have to forget it for roughly ten minutes of a new film’s 12-minute running time.
It is also true that Saranne Bensusan’s short film Mano a Mono represents a fresh take on that twist, one that surprises for being as harrowing and disturbing as it is, largely thanks to a virtuosic performance by Sharon Lawrence. Perhaps audience members who have guessed the twist will, because of their over-confidence about the film’s content, be even more gobsmacked by its rather difficult themes.
I personally would have enjoyed more of a comeuppance for the film’s guilty party, and/or an explanation of the cryptic (and almost cryptographic) title, but this short film comes recommended for packing a terrific punch.
Mano a Mono is showing on Day Two of the Femme Filmmakers Festival.
Bookmark the Directed by Women website
Join the event on Facebook
Join the Woo Hollywood Facebook group
Like the Write out of L.A. Facebook page
Follow Daniel Smith-Rowsey on Twitter
Follow Robin Write on Twitter