“There are two things you can run and not hide from: God and a dysfunctional family”.
~R. Alan Woods [2012]
Growing up in a dysfunctional family is a circumstance no one wishes for, yet many experience. The matter is frequently addressed in Coming-of-Age movies, yet I have never seen as shocking, yet effective, an attempt at depicting it than in the Arnold de Parscau 2011 short film Tommy.
The story is told in the first person by its young protagonist, nine-year-old Tommy (Elia Blanc), who recalls the events that occurred during a family dinner. His memories, visualized in his mind and on screen, are so horrific that witnessing them is guaranteed to cause a weighty sense of distress in the viewer.
The young Mr. Blanc gives a credible performance, enabling the viewer to perceive the story through his eyes. Excellent product design and special effects further enhance the impact of his tale.
Ingeniously combining grotesque fantasy and reality, Tommy emphasizes the influence dysfunctional families have on children in a manner which, while shocking, delivers a strong message.