Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Short film ‘Molly’ opens with a beautiful, surreal shot of a lone fish swimming in a washing machine. For a second, you almost wonder if it is a ‘screen within screen’ moment or maybe just a dream. But the fish is real, and is the only inhabitant of a quirky machine-turned-aquarium in a cozy little launderette.
“It’s a Molly. They don’t have sex.”
Written and directed by Darius Shu, Molly opens with customer Ryan (Frank Kauer) questioning protagonist Vinnie (Hiroki Berrecloth) about the unusual pet lodged between washers, leading Vinnie to explain what the “fish” actually is. What Vinnie does not mention is that this particular Molly belongs to a rarer type of female fish capable of reproducing without the need for a male, unlike common mollies, which are typically livebearers. And what initially appears to be a simple little scene involving a fish tank quietly evolves into a metaphor for Vinnie’s own confined existence and struggle with intimacy.
As Ryan keeps coming back to the launderette, the shy, reclusive Vinnie starts to grow more interested in him, and the attraction seems to be mutual between the young men. However, from the very first minute, director Darius Shu subtly establishes the vast differences between the two characters. While Vinnie spends all his time working round the clock, watching customers come and go, much like his fish, silently letting life pass him by. He remains an observant introvert, quiet on the outside, but full of deep emotions.
Ryan, on the other hand, is clearly more extroverted, flirtatious, and friendly, and sometimes visits the launderette with a loud, chatty bunch of friends. So of course it is Ryan who initiates conversations with Vinnie, slowly reeling the reserved worker into his world, chatting, laughing, and even dancing during his visits to do laundry.
But is a romantic relationship between the two possible outside the safe, routine confines of Vinnie’s work space? Are they even compatible? Well, a slightly cliched threat of a potential rival forces Vinnie to come out of his shell and fight for his shot at love.
In under 23 minutes, ‘Molly’ creates a nostalgic story of love, loneliness, and longing. Half the story unfolds at the laundrette, the rest in Ryan’s house, and even though the characters use cell-phones, one can’t exactly tell what year or decade it is, giving the short film a nostalgic universal appeal. The soft mood lighting though the runtime, and the slight chaos of Ryan’s flat feels warm and inviting.
Frank Kauer and Hiroki Berrecloth are cute together as Ryan and Vinnie, and as the two get closer, complications arise which make them confront the possibility of choosing to let each other go for good. The short runtime might make it slightly challenging to truly resonate with Vinnie’s internal turmoil and fears over finding lasting love, but Hiroki Berrecloth convincingly portrays the character’s vulnerabilities.
Just when you think the story is headed towards a heartbreaking ending, a little twist leaves the viewer with a hopeful ending. Overall, ‘Molly’ is a beautifully shot queer story about finding connection in unexpected places and taking a leap of faith to find love.
Watch the trailer for Molly on YouTube.
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