Grief and healing often unfold in beautifully unexpected ways. Following the sudden loss of his dad, Frankie finds himself in a near-fatal accident that leaves him stranded in purgatory. With his fate in limbo, he is compelled to confront his deceased father Thomas, who holds the keys to his freedom: a game of Connect 4.
Kevin K Watts’ Connect takes a very literal approach to its emotionally charged themes, using a classic childhood game to reacquaint its characters, those being Frankie (BJ Minor) and Thomas (Quintin Mims). Frankie is an overwhelmed young man, his mind broken amidst family circumstances, while events surrounding his accident remain unclear. His entire existence is in jeopardy, and his only option is to comply with Thomas’ demands.
Confusion gradually gives way to reminiscing, leading their conversation into more profound territory. This moment is when Frankie finally begins opening up about his frustrations, and we really understand why he is so choked up about the game and Thomas. Minor and Mims take a little while to settle into their rapport, but once they do, they manage to breathe life into a relationship that clearly ended too soon. Writer/director Watts and Director of Photography Trevor Roach pull out all the stops to give this story an otherworldly feeling, with an extended opening shot and selectively saturated palette. The black and white look, coupled with the lone splashes of color in the blue and red tokens, really helps emphasize the gravity of Frankie’s ordeal. Every time a token is dropped, it carries some form of weight, both adding and removing a burden from the young man’s shoulders.
At times, the short can feel a little limited in its scope, but those physical barriers are transcended by the commanding acting prowess of both Minor and Mims. In this regard the screenplay excels, placing Frankie in a survival situation where he must prevail, with Thomas consistently maintaining an advantage over him. The filmmakers increase tension by revealing what’s happening on the “other side,” forcing Frankie to make quick decisions – before it’s too late.
Connect has nostalgic charm, positioning itself as a well-written drama with a familiar, but striking supernatural premise. You also might want to break out the old board game after watching it, for old times’ sake.
