Alex Jablonski's adaptation of Kevin Canty's Blue Boy couldn't be a truer representation of the original. The only thing that the story does that the film doesn't is to allow the audience to revel in the beauty of these characters in their dark places. And this is only because it takes longer to read than it does to watch.
Each moment is perfectly captured in a way that very rarely transfers from the page onto film, especially in the short story format. Only adaptations from Andre Dubus's stories compare (In the Bedroom, We Don't Live Here Anymore).
I'm no film student, but I would say that the cinematography lends itself perfectly to what is essentially a two character plot. The unflinching close-ups let us know what we need to. The two actors convey everything that would otherwise be developed in a longer format. You can speak to these characters, even if you're unfamiliar with the story. This is supported by nuances: Kenny leaves his jacket, she brings him lemonade instead of ice tea.
One thing the film does that the story doesn't do as concretely, occurs in the garage scene. When Kenny fails in his reaching out, he is cast in a shadow of darkness by the opening garage door. And finally, when we know he is completely rejected, left in his real life and outside of his fantasy, the door closes on him.
I hope you have the opportunity to see this short, and if you do: The next time you see the name Alex Jablonski, you won't be left wondering why it seems familiar.
Each moment is perfectly captured in a way that very rarely transfers from the page onto film, especially in the short story format. Only adaptations from Andre Dubus's stories compare (In the Bedroom, We Don't Live Here Anymore).
I'm no film student, but I would say that the cinematography lends itself perfectly to what is essentially a two character plot. The unflinching close-ups let us know what we need to. The two actors convey everything that would otherwise be developed in a longer format. You can speak to these characters, even if you're unfamiliar with the story. This is supported by nuances: Kenny leaves his jacket, she brings him lemonade instead of ice tea.
One thing the film does that the story doesn't do as concretely, occurs in the garage scene. When Kenny fails in his reaching out, he is cast in a shadow of darkness by the opening garage door. And finally, when we know he is completely rejected, left in his real life and outside of his fantasy, the door closes on him.
I hope you have the opportunity to see this short, and if you do: The next time you see the name Alex Jablonski, you won't be left wondering why it seems familiar.