Feeling run down by the usual cycle of self-improvement programs, a widow (Rachel Dratch) tries going to a dominatrix workshop. A selection of Short of the Week, the web's leading curators of quality short films.
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Marcy Learns Something New
Written & Directed by Julia Kennelly
A nice suburban house, an adult daughter, a dog and a stable job, Marcy has a rather conventional life. Having recently lost her husband, she seems stuck and in a desperate need to start the new chapter of her life. In Marcy Learns Something New, writer/director Julia Kennelly depicts the touching story of a woman (wonderfully portrayed by Rachel Dratch) ready to regain control over her life -granted in an unconventional way. It is Kennelly’s subtle mix of comedy and sensibility that ultimately makes Marcy’s journey such a pleasant and charming watch.
From the premise alone, most might think that Kennelly is using BDSM as the butt of the joke, a cheap way to trigger laughs. Yet, she subverts those expectations but steering clear of a farcical approach. Instead, she plays with different levels of sensitivity and empowerment while remaining very respectful towards every single one of her characters, sourcing the comedy elements from a more genuine place, the awkwardness and practicality of the situations Marcy finds herself in.
Intrigued by the fact that femme-dom workshops existed for beginners, Kennelly attended a class and was struck by how practical and educational it was. The people in attendance were from all walks of life, describing the experience in a lighthearted and touching way. While BDSM tends to be represented in an over sensationalized manner, she learned first hand that people actually find humor, connection and healing in the practice. Within this more authentic context, she did hire a BDSM consultant in the writing stages, she uses comedy to deliver a narrative rooted in themes of
“Hope, loneliness and finding freedom”.
From the opening scene, the quality of the production is undeniable, Rachel Dratch’s (dare I say unsurprisingly great) performance, endearing with the perfect hints of humor make the film instantly a pleasant watching experience. What truly struck me though so early on, and set the film apart, was Kennelly’s comedic tone. Where many would, involuntarily for some, have us laugh at their main character, it was obvious to me that Kennelly was instead subtly poking fun at the repetition of a cycle of habits. The exposition is unconventionally a bit long, but extremely pleasant. Witnessing Marcy dealing with her daily frustrations is entertaining and also showcases Kennelly’s comedic wit while allowing Dratch to have fun with her character. As Marcy discovers this new side of her, every step of the process is written with a compelling authenticity mixing a funny pragmatism with an emotional depth. Dratch brings it all to the screen perfectly balancing both the comedic tone, stemming from the awkwardness and the surprising practicality of the events, and the moving self-empowerment of her character.
Marcy Learns Something New should have started its festival run by premiering at the Aspen ShortsFest (it did play on the virtual version of the festival) where the jury gave it a Special Mention in comedy. With the unprecedented turn the 2020 festival circuit is taking, we are happy to be able to brighten your day with this film so early in its journey into the world, and hopefully you will have learned or refreshed your memory on a couple of US history facts." -S/W Curator Céline Roustan
CREDITS
Starring Rachel Dratch
Written & Directed by Julia Kennelly
Produced by Karine Benzaria, Tyler Ben-Amotz, Will Mayo, Julia Kennelly, Chandler Raub, Erica Rose & Bits Sola
Director of Photography: Daisy Zhou
Edited by Will Mayo
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers.
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