Tampa Film Fan

film fan finding:the great pretenders

Back in the spring, I saw the short film The Great Pretenders at the Sunscreen Film Festival. In a very brief review at the time, I said “Wickedly keen with solid acting. One of my favorites of the festival.” Since then, I’ve tracked the film’s successful progression through the film festival circuit. Because I enjoyed the film so much, I volunteered to write a longer review for the filmmakers. Here is that very belated review:

Did you know that there’s a funny side to job layoffs? I didn’t, until I watched the short film The Great Pretenders. Writer/director Jeremy Cohen tells the story of middle manager Scott Matter, who gets laid off from his corporate job and sent to an outplacement service for job-seeking assistance. Run by Hope Withers (the name says it all), the outplacement service offers job hunters an office environment in which to conduct their job searches. At first, Matter is positive, energetic and doesn’t worry too much. Soon, however, the stress of corporate life starts to wear him down…until he remembers that he doesn’t have a job. He’s in a man-made “corporate purgatory” that has sucked him into the rat race in a most hilarious way.

In addition to Cohen’s brilliantly snarky social commentary, this movie features superb acting talent. Kelly Miller is great as the earnest Everyman Scott Miller, while Bruce Sabath is perfect as the lonely, sad-eyed, permanent job seeker Cliff. Part Glengarry Glen Ross and part Office Space, The Great Pretenders is an absolute delight.

Visit www.greatpretendersmovie.com to learn more about this film.

Film Fan Finding: A