The
Elevator (2000)
As much an exercise in continuity as a short, Chuck
Rose's "The Elevator" still finds time to offer up an
interesting, albeit typical story. The title is a bit
of a misnomer as it really has little to do with the
plot or theme. The film concerns a male/female relationship
that begins when two people meet on an elevator. Perhaps
Rose is attempting to liken the relationship between
these two to a relationship between two people who ride
on an elevator. There is some polite smiling perhaps,
maybe even a quick "hello," but nobody truly gets to
know each other or communicates on an elevator. Nor
do they here.
The most captivating thing about the film is the acting
leads. Ann Michele Fitzgerald and Greg Ellis are quite
good here. Even though the film last just over 10 minutes,
we grow to like and care about the two. Both of them
offer up interesting, coherent and precise characters.
We understand the film, and what it is trying to say,
because the leads are so adept at expressing the script
here.
Rose's screenplay poses two people who communicate
more freely with their therapists than they do each
other. And as their relationships continues, after meeting
on the elevator, we grow to see them incapable of growth
because they do not truly talk to one and other. Yes,
it's a pretty obvious and typical story, but Rose and
his actors make it work.
Rose utilizes film and editing to move the story,
which could be quite claustrophobic, along at a rapid
pace. He moves in and out of the therapists' offices,
into the story (usually told in flashbacks) to present
the couple in question. Oft times, a character will
move in the middle of a sentence (via an edit) between
settings. Or a theme and conversation will continue
while interspersed throughout two or three settings.
Rose must have storyboarded the film out with the precision
of a surgeon before lensing a frame. Again, it's nothing
new, but it does work for the film.
"The Elevator" is as much a resume piece as a film.
Rose proves he is an attentive and adept filmmaker who
could easily helm a feature. He also seems to be able
to cast the right actor's for the right parts. What
he needs is a better, more original script and theme.
Then he'll make an awesome flick.
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