Bottle

http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2010/12/19/bottle/

Title: Bottle
Director: Kirsten Lepore
Hit or Miss: Hit.

This week's video comes from Kristen Lepore bringing a short entitled "Bottle". Lepore's original take on the classic love story formula of complicated love from afar is both fresh and emotional. You can't help but feel your heart warm up and break at this bittersweet romance.


Lepore opens by introducing us to a sandman who is pining for love found in his snowwoman counterpart. In order to communicate with her, the sandman sends out sand in a bottle. When she receives the gift she pours out the sand and fills up some snow for him casting the bottle out into the ocean again. Their exchange continues as he sends out kelp and in return she sends small red pinecones. This time they find a way to use each others gifts on themselves as she uses the kelp to make hair and he uses the pinecones to construct a face. As time progresses they follow the same cute routine, sending each other such items as seashells, sticks, even a hair comb, gloves, and pennies. They use these items to build themselves up as people implementing each object to create looks for themselves. After they have created their ideal look, the sandman decides to write out a letter to her with drawings suggeting that they should meet. In a final sequence, they decide to meet. As they march toward each other in the ocean, they begin to loose all of their decorations and begin to dissolve/melt until they (very sadly) are no more.

In comparison to the other shorts films I have reviewed so far, this one was absolutely up at the top as one of my favorites. It's story is both original and engaging. It's story is very simple and very cute-you can't help but want to see this unlikely couple together. As for a plot, this definitely finds itself up in the top of one of the best written shorts even in it's simplicity. Being able to have the ability to stir up such an emotional response, especially in a simple plot, is something that is very difficult to do and the filmmaker has mastered wonderfully.

As far as technical components, I really enjoyed the style of the animation. It is always refreshing to see a well made stop motion animation that flows beautifully. The cinematography, including the natural light was a great key component in this short that really helped create a gorgeous picture for the viewer. The editing was additionally spot on which is very necessary in this type of animation.

The film's direction, character development, and overall "look" were entirely engaging and well made. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an outstanding short. Lepore has left us with a "Hit" that will should leave any viewer very pleased.