THE PHONE CALL – Directed by Mat Kirby, is an incredibly moving 22 minute British short film which WON the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Oscar Nominee Sally Hawkins plays Heather, a shy and introverted woman, who works at a crisis Hotline Center. At the beginning of her shift, Heather receives a distressing call from Stan – played brilliantly, via voice only, by Jim Broadbent. Stan never appears on screen – yet we feel we know him and his pain.
Hawkins performance is mesmerizing as she tries to connect personally with Stan. Her subtle desperation in trying to get him the help that he needs, is heartbreaking and moving.
The sense of time running out is represented, simplistically, with a wall clock and wrist watch. Yet you feel the urgency and uncertainty as THE PHONE CALL plays out.
The film is so moving, it stays with you long after it ends. The cinematography (Ole Bratt Birkeland) brings you in, moment to moment, on Hawkins performance.
This poignant film reminds us all of our basic human need to connect with others .
THE PHONE CALL is available on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO https://www.amazon.com/Phone-Call-Sally-Hawkins/dp/B00TQ869GQ
