Twain

Festival: Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF)
Genre: drama
Main Characters:

Éanna Hardwicke
Actor

Frank Blake
Ciaran

Toni O'Rourke
Kathleen

Andrew McGeachie
Connor

The Plot: Twins meet at a jail visiting room on their birthday. One is happy to see the other. Michael has flashbacks feeling guilty for killing his dad, while the one in jail is innocent.

The main story lines are: Domestic violence may have played a role in how twins see the world with one in jail and the other not.

The best (worst) bit is about: Here is a short film about twins that are separated by a jail visiting glass divider, meeting once again. Emotionally, this is a powerful image as twins are often thought of being together often, until they grow up and lead separate lives. One is in sweats and the other in a suit. One is happy to see the other, while the other is disappointed or is having trouble finding the right words to say. One flashback has one of the twins call out his mom for supper when the music changes and there is blood on the stairway rail. You are left wondering what happened to his mom. You can tell it is very scary for him, but he must face his fears to find out the truth. He finds his brother on the floor, but where is his mom? There is a man on the floor with a knife right below his chest--is this the dad?

I enjoyed (I didn't enjoy) watching this film because: The audio/sound quality is high, which is vitally important in any film. The movie moves fluidly with flashbacks including one with an image of knives on the wall with an eerie sound to it. It leaves the moviegoer wondering what does it mean? What is happening next? Why was this shown? The suspense is heating up when one of the twins tells the other that he can no longer do this and he is told it had to be done. The flashback continues with one twin having a bloody hand and missing finger.

I would (I wouldn't) recommend this film to someone because: The plot is good; however, if you do not believe in killing or thou shall honor their parents then I would not recommend this movie to you.

3 out of 5 stars