Leah's Movie Lowdown
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Vesper

Rated: Not Rated

        Psychological thrillers come in many forms. Fight Club, Memento, Inception and Shutter Island are some of my favorite examples. And while all of these films are vastly different from each other, it’s what they have in common that makes them great: they all feature plots in which at least one of the main characters doesn’t fully understand the reality of the events occurring. Leonard in Memento has amnesia. Edward Norton’s character in Fight Club has schizophrenia. Cobb in Inception has trouble telling whether he’s in a dream or in reality. All of these plots work brilliantly to keep the audience both confused and engaged.
 
        The recent short Vesper by writer/director Keyvan Sheikhalishahi, the second offering by this young filmmaker, fits the genre perfectly. The film is about Marge, her crazy and manipulative husband, and her nephew Christian. Marge has recently moved and keeps herself locked away in her house to stay safe from her husband. Worried for her safety, she asks her nephew Christian to come. But when Christian arrives he soon learns that nothing Marge says is quite as it seems.
Agnes Godey and Gotz Otto in Vesper (Photo courtesy of Keyvan Sheikhalishahi )

Agnes Godey and Gotz Otto in Vesper (Photo courtesy of Keyvan Sheikhalishahi )

 
        From the very first scene the tension is palpable.  The haunting score by Gréco Casadesus almost becomes an unseen character itself, as the peaks and valleys of the music winds its way throughout. The stars also become a character, as they are referred to multiple times and add to the mystery of it all.

        Agnes Godey has the air of the stars of old in her role as Marge. Her portrayal of this lost and confused character couldn’t have been done better. Her range as an actor was on full display in this film, as she went from frightened, to happy, to sad in a matter of moments from scene to scene.

        Keyvan couldn’t have cast the role of Walter better if he tried. Gotz Otto was exactly the type of dark, foreboding presence this film needed. His patience with the emotionally unstable Marge was evident from the first moment he’s onscreen, and is a wonderful example of what this dynamic actor is capable of.

        Vesper is a film that begs to be watched multiple times. There are so many layers packed in to the relatively small 23 minute runtime that you’ll never understand it after only a single viewing. I admit that even after watching it twice I still don’t fully get it! It’s a solid second effort from writer/director Keyvan, and one that makes me excited to see what this young talent does next.

        Vesper is not rated, was written and directed by Keyvan Sheikhalishahi and stars Agnes Godey, Gotz Otto and Keyvan Sheikhalishahi. More information about the film and Keyvan can be found here:
  • Keyvan Sheikhalishahi on IMDB