It seems like only yesterday that I found myself watching Erik Bloomquist's 20-minute short film Intermedium, a bit of a departure for the up-and-coming director and a film that was easily one of my favorite shorts when I watched it back in 2019.
Bloomquist is back, Intermedium is now a 106-minute feature film, and I find myself all googly-eyed once again with this lovely story brought vibrantly to life by co-leads and relative newcomers Emily Keefe and Beau Minniear.
The fundamental story remains largely the same. Bridget (Keefe) is an OCD-stricken teenager who moves in with her father (Sean Allan Krill) and his fiancee (Amy Hargreaves) after a bit of a school mishap back in her previous home in Chicago. Getting settled into her new room, Bridget meets Kyle (Minniear), a ghost and previous resident of the very room in which she now lives and a ghost who, well, only she can actually see.
As if this isn't enough, it's soon acknowledged that Bridget's father has had his cancer return and Bridget's first day in her new school goes wildly awry when she crosses with Nina (Haskiri Velazquez), the school's drama star and a potential obstacle to Bridget's desire to fit in and continue her artistic ways.
As noted, Intermedium is a bit of a departure for Bloomquist yet it's also a film that reveals the director's true promise and the fact that he should be getting offered even bigger projects in the future. The film recently screened as one of only five features in competition at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival after its New York premiere at the Soho International Film Festival where it picked up the Audience Choice Award. Keefe picked up the Best Actress - Narrative Feature prize at the Mystic Film Festival as well.
I'm not one to often review proof-of-concept films, though Bloomquist made it easy with Intermedium as it was an entirely satisfying short film and it's an entirely satisfying feature film. Bloomquist has simply fleshed out Taylor Turner's engaging and entertaining story and it's clear that both Keefe and Minniear, who also starred in the short, truly get these characters internally and externally.
Intermedium is the kind of film that has you rushing over to IMDB to check out filmographies. I've seen numerous experienced Hollywood veterans who couldn't bring characters to life like Keefe and Minniear do here. They have a dynamic chemistry and a flirty yet empathetic aura about them. While I could argue for tightening the film a bit, the truth is I also enjoyed every minute with these two.
While you may be thinking to yourself that Intermedium sounds overly familiar, rest assured that Turner's winning script weaves together a vintage tapestry of high school rom-com meets Golden Age musical meets something altogether supernatural. It's a unique tapestry that works incredibly well.
Keefe is a star in the making as Bridget, wholly endearing with just a hint of an edge and an emotional honesty that makes you cling to her. Minniear has a smooth teenage sophistication with just the right amount of vulnerability.
Among the supporting players, Tony Award nominee Sean Allan Krill is tremendous as Bridget's father with a performance that could have easily gone one-note yet Krill offers us so much more. Haskiri Velazquez is also fantastic as Nina, essentially the antagonist here, and both Jesse Posey and Amy Hargreaves absolutely shine.
Original music by Tim Williams is subtle yet immersive and atmospheric. Mike Magilnick's lensing is warm, playful, spirited, and the bridge that really invites us in to experience these characters more fully.
I've been following Bloomquist's career for quite awhile and I'm consistently impressed with his talent, vision, and discipline as a filmmaker. Intermedium is an absolute calling card screaming for Hollywood to take notice and put this up-and-comer to work.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
