A rousing drum intro rolls through the opening credits as crowds cheer in the distance. But as we fade in on rock musician Jack (James Miles-Boyd), sitting melancholy in the middle of a support group, the atmosphere quickly shifts to a vastly different tone. Cut to an electrifying performance at a local venue with his bandmates Harry (Grant MacIver) and Cal (Michael Robertson). The show quickly turns disastrous when Jack falls off stage, blacked out—the result of heavy substance abuse. The next morning, Jack is confronted with a choice: work to better himself or end his collaboration with the band, a decision that sees him forced to confront his deepest trauma.
Writer/director Eric W. Whitelaw’s short film seems simple on the surface—deceptively so. Jack’s drug-related issues become evident right away, and his friends persistently encourage him to adopt a healthier lifestyle, even threatening to replace him with short-notice musician David (James Cumming), a strategy that ultimately backfires horribly. His girlfriend Katie (Robyn Reilly) supports Jack’s every decision, with him eventually winding up in a church, laying his problems bare for the group leader (Michael Robert Brown) and all others present. But something isn’t right. And it goes far deeper than what the film initially shows us.
Lost Love may follow the familiar beats of the road-to-recovery subgenre, but it slowly uncovers an out-of-left-field revelation that just might send a chill running down your spine. Boyd’s sincere performance in the lead, which extends to some fiery vocals when he and The Bannerman get on stage, further enhances this twist. Robyn Reilly’s Katie is also terrific, adding surprising depth to her character as the film progresses. Great as the soundtrack may be, the sound design can sometimes be a touch inconsistent with how it is mixed, lacking in real polish where it matters the most. The cinematography by Benjamin Atkinson is strikingly effective, using all manner of Dutch angles, lens prisms, and tracking shots to showcase the wild, vibrant parties Jack attends with his friends. While it may seem insignificant to some, Whitelaw is also drawing attention to the more positive aspects of the underground rock scene in this setting, which is a welcome perspective to see unraveled.
Well-acted and smartly written, Lost Love puts a clever spin on its familiar trappings. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it throws an emotional curveball that lands with aplomb.
