Short, sweet, and to the difficult point, director Brian James Crewe examines the realities of a connection gone awry. Enthused about their second date, Cassandra (Amy Sloan) and Martin (Joe Holt) teem with new relationship jitters. As they connect, laugh, and flirt, things steadily progress towards the inevitable. What started as a conversation, innocent in nature, towers into an immovable force of differences in personal opinion that break their mutual facades.
The script is tight and succinct with little room for error – the dialogue is brisk and charming until it becomes stinging. Whatever fat may have plagued this piece has been trimmed to the extreme, presenting a lean cut. Crewe twists the audience’s expectations. While the audience is still reeling from the initial turn, Crewe masterfully continues driving steadily forward – regardless if the viewers are strapped in. The crowded restaurant full of happy couples accentuates the heightening scene to a fever pitch, with superb cinematography by George Feucht.
What enhances this story to the ultimate level is the performances by both Holt and Sloan. Their chemistry is undeniable and immediate. Their bickering is grounded in action and absurd in nature, yet they never quiver. The conversation flows naturally, relishing in the awkwardness, excitement, and anger of their situation. These two performances become the beating heart of the film.
Ultimately, Flat Earther will have you enthralled in its narrative, faster than you can drink a Malbec.