Movie Review: 2022 Oscar Nominated Live-Action Short Films

On My Mind (Denmark)

3.5 stars out of 5

Man walks into a bar. But it’s not the set-up for a joke, it’s an Oscar-nominated short. He downs a stiff drink and, on his way out, notices the karaoke stage. Can he please sing a song? Gruff owner is dismissive — it’s morning, he’s working on finances — while the bartender is supportive. The dark, divey bar is a pleasing setting but the film didn’t have the emotional resonance the director was going for.

Please Hold (USA)

3.5 stars out of 5

Things are so automated these days! This is the theme of a mistaken-arrest tale which is by turns amusing and harrowing. But ultimately it felt more like a Black Mirror episode than an award-worthy short.

The Dress (Poland)

4 stars out of 5

Julia is a chain-smoking, video-game-gambling dwarf housekeeper at a motel, living her not-quite-best life. A rare shot at romance shakes things up a bit. I appreciated the rawness and realness of this film before I even realized, “Hey, I also don’t like when people treat me as different.” But the thing that truly sets this film apart is the sweet friendship between Julia and her co-worker. The Dress would be my pick as best live-action short.

Ala Kachuu/Take and Run (Switzerland)

4 stars out of 5

This is a “cause” film, and one I absolutely didn’t know about: bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan. We’re presented with a heartbreaking story of Sezim who just wants to continue her studies but is grabbed for an unwanted marriage. We also see the difficulty of escape in the rural regions, and the unwillingness of families to intervene. I hope this film is greatly increasing awareness and helps eradicate the practice.

The Long Goodbye (United Kingdom)

3.5 stars out of 5

Hey, it’s Riz Ahmed from HBO’s The Night Of! This Brexit-inspired tale shows an innocent family rounded up by a militia as the police and anglo neighbors look the other way. It’s an important heads-up on the rise of the anti-immigrant authoritarian right around the globe, and maybe a Riz Ahmed music video is the best way to reach younger people… but to me it didn’t quite feel Oscar worthy.