Directed by Scott Simerly Jr, 'Alien Guy Tim' is an imaginative and humorous documentary-style short film. The story is singularly focused on Tim, played by writer/co-producer Patrick McElroy, who not only believes that aliens exist, but also has stories on hand to validate the point. And, while these are all the stories we've become familiar with, 'Alien Guy Tim' manages to narrate them with enough wit and creativity.
Tim, an aerospace engineer who claims to have been abducted by aliens, naturally attracts the attention of certain documentary filmmakers who want to interview him about his unique experiences. But as Tim sits cueing on the couch right under a painting of an alien abduction, a clever tweak by Tyler Heckerman (Director of Photography) makes the predictable storytelling quite interesting to watch. It is soon revealed that his stories bear the stamp of general misconceptions one has, thanks to popular culture about aliens.
Stars: Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell, Bob Lazar, George Knapp
And it isn't long before one is left in a quandary, as the facts turn out to be simply imaginative at best, mind-boggling at worst. But, Tim is a sweetheart. It's hard not to laugh with him, sometimes even at him. The perfectly delivered witty dialogue works well enough to elicit laughs. And, despite the almost ridiculous confessions made by Tim, the seriousness in him is unmissable. Soon, the jokes suddenly cease to exist as a broader perception is brought in, and when even those close to him express their disbelief towards Tim, images of Tim as a social outcast and, in his own words, "a crazy person" they start to appear. conjure up a different narrative from this kind of dewy eyes.
As our friendly alien Tim questions and even criticizes himself, constantly thinking for days, sometimes even without bathing, we are presented with a challenge of our own. How believable is this guy anyway? To prove a point, perhaps more to himself than anyone else, he finally makes up his mind. To face his own reality and answer pressing questions, Tim embarks on a journey. Originally composed by Brian Crimmins, the music used here fits the bill perfectly and retains the perfect mood for dramatic comedy. McElroy plays the role of him authentically and between him, Lauren Bair and Steve, played by Huntington Daly, a very believable chemistry develops between the three brothers. The film's pacing at 14:52 minutes is truly commendable, with Simmerly Jr.'s editing consistently holding the audience's attention, even encouraging engagement.
The film aims to entangle the audience in a web of perceptions. Questioning the very reality of the events and the character itself, while presenting him through well-written dialogue and accompanying light-hearted comedy, Tim's exaggerated beliefs, strange as they may seem, hold up. With beautiful music and smart cinematography, 'Alien Guy Tim' is a well written and wonderfully executed short film that makes you laugh, empathize, wonder and ultimately put your mind at ease.
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