One Night (2021)

One word: beautiful

Everything about this short felt so raw and authentic. I came into this expecting something completely different, and quite frankly much worse, but I am so glad my expectations were exceeded.

The acting isn't oscar-worthy, but it's convincing and by no means subpar. During every word of well-written dialogue, I felt the characters' vulnerability. The slow, calming background music throughout the short added to that effect. Whether intentionally or not, the actors portray a certain degree of caution during every scene, which I thought was a nice touch. The lighting choice was perfect, acting as a clear contrast between moods as well as a convenient censor of sorts during the more intimate scenes.

I appreciate that not everything revolved around sexual intimacy, as I thought it might. The story went deeper and we actually got to learn about the characters and their emotions as well as their past. Also, bravo for including explicit consent. We need more consent in BLs.

The ending was not what I expected at all, but that's what makes it satisfactory. Overall, the realism of this short is what gets me. I didn't feel like I was watching a fiction piece - I felt like I was watching a genuine relationship play out. It's not often that a drama makes me feel like I'm intruding. Big kudos to all of those involved!

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