I usually review feature films, but I thought that this short by Taika Waititi was worthy of its own post. Waititi is currently one of the most acclaimed directors and writers in Hollywood. He won an Oscar last year for his Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit (2019). He is well-known for his joyous and humorous tone, and his not-so-subtle accent. His films are full of heart and humor, and this short titled, Two Cars, One Night, is no different. Let’s dive in a bit and see what makes Waititi so special.
The Story.
When two boys are left in a car one night, they rely on humor to occupy them while they wait for their parents to return. The two boys have contrasting personalities, one is a “book worm,” while the other is a “talker”. The outspoken boy is drawn to a girl in a nearby car. They share insults, expressive reactions, and mirrored behavior. In juxtaposition to the kids, flashes of nearby life are shown sped up to acknowledge the surroundings of the children.
Although this film is short, it provides an interesting glimpse into the lives of kids and exposes the lengths at which they will go to gain each other’s attention. While a typical movie-watcher could watch this short film and find it mediocre, I argue that anyone who appreciates movies will find this short intriguing and special.
Follow the tumultuous journey in two cars in one night. No pun intended. The New Zealand accents add even more humor to this story. The pop culture references of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Johnny Depp” make it relatable and add perspective. My favorite line is, “Shut up man, I’m reading.” Well said. Well said. Just watch this short, there is no way to describe it, it’s just something that needs to be watched to understand its full potential.
Sentence Summary.
When children are left in the car one night, an unlikely friendship forms through humor and impatience.
Rating: 9/10
I have seen quite a lot of short films. I was on the reviewing committee for several film festivals. I have seen some great films and some shallow ones. This film has a perfect balance of humor and heart, the brilliant combination that Waititi is best known for. I also found this short compelling and thought-provoking. For those reasons, I think this short deserves 9 stars. The kids are the stars of this film and I am a fan of that. The directing is also incredible, so keep an eye out for that!
See ya!
As you can see, Waititi’s first film was not Thor Ragnarok (2017). Some of this other films are Boy (2010) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). Although these films are not as well-known as Thor or Jojo Rabbit (2019), they are worth a watch. I could talk about his films for days and why they are so brilliant, but I will leave the mystery up to you. Go watch them for yourself and you will see why I adore Waititi’s films so much.
Talk to you next week. Thanks for being here.
Arianna
Aloha Arianna 