Chantal Demorial's Arm's Length is a slightly dark satirical short centered around Tim Martin's Peter Palmer, a young man born into privilege determined to not follow in his father's footsteps but to actually make it on his own. 

That's a little easier said than done for Peter, whose unique physical features make life a whole lot more complicated and manage to keep his own success an arm's length away. When he bombs an interview for an influential Wall Street job, Peter's desperation turns into petty theft for which he's, well, not well armed. While things continue to not go his way, Peter Palmer, when it comes down to it, still has one thing to his advantage - he was born rich in America. 

Beautifully photographed in black-and-white by Zac Nicholson, Arm's Length breezes by courtesy of Demorial's intelligent, precise script and Tim Martin's delightfully off-kilter yet engaging performance as a man who is absurdly unique while also projecting that sense of knowing that rescue is really only an outstretched hand away. 

Okay. Okay. I'll stop with the arm's length jokes. 

I can't help it. 

Seriously, though. Demorial wisely added a layer of absurdity to the scenario that allows us to laugh at someone who might other be too disadvantaged for us to laugh at rather than with him.

Oh, and trust me, we do laugh AT him.

He also gets the last laugh.

Elana Estrin's performance of Dvorak's Humoresque is sublime, while Patrick Deeney's music adds satirical sass. Justine Del Grosso's costume design is impeccably suited to the film's unique rhythms. 

At a mere 10 minutes in running time, Arm's Length goes by quickly but is enjoyable from beginning to end. While there's no doubt that Tim Martin is the key player, Beth Griffith is given a few moments to shine and shine she sure does. 

For more information on Arm's Length, visit the film's Facebook page linked to in the credits. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic