A good film with bad ensemble acting does not exist. Case in point: First time director Rick-kendy Noziere’s earnest short Hard Feelings. It aims for relevance, subtlety, pathos, tragedy. That it doesn’t reach these lofty goals is beyond the point. Neither is the fact that almost every element – from the production design to the lighting, editing and camera placement – is amateurish at best. It’s the central trio of performances that drag the entire enterprise into the abyss.
Aspiring lawyer Daniel (Joe Baez) comes into an empty diner. He seems preoccupied and gloomy. Nosy waitress Mary-Anne (Nicole Guilbault) asks him about his bracelet, which has Daniel’s brother’s name on it. Before long, former cop Eddie (Francesco Nuzzi) walks in; Daniel tenses up. Under the pretense of being a journalist, Daniel interrogates Eddie. There’s a connection between them that’s best left unsaid. Daniel seems untouched by Eddies’ display of remorse. Will the young man resort to extreme measures?
Noziere’s script provides little wiggle room for the actors to improvise. They are stuck reciting less-than-enthralling lines, undermined further by a somewhat manipulative score. “Pro tip,” says Eddie, “get their roast beef sandwich. If you like it tough, that is.” Daniel smirks, then replies: “Well, I already ordered a steak, so I’m not too far from it.” “Well, next time,” Eddie retorts. “If there is a next time,” Daniel says, narrowing his eyes.
Throughout the entire 15 minutes or so, the actors push too hard at their performances. Subtlety is key. For their next film, these artists could use a lesson in subtlety. Baez’s character falls apart in the bathroom, wide-eyed, sniveling; Guilbault’s character comes dangerously close to screechy; and Nuzzi’s character goes from “sleaze-ball” to “guilt-ridden” within seconds, his monologue about his “baby girl” googling her dad mawkishly sentimental.
Good intentions only take one so far. The fact that the film was made by students doesn’t excuse its lack of finesse. The themes of the pursuit of truth and justice, although exploited to their limit in cinematic fare, can still resonate if done right. However, when they are this spelled out, the whole affair attains a condescending whiff. Coupled with the obvious strain to be relevant in these days of frequent police brutality, Hard Feelings may leave the viewer with quite a few negative ones.
