A magical little film, writer/director Richard Gorodecky's 14-minute short film Little Shit is wrapping up its successful festival run, where it claimed prizes at London Short Film Festival (Best UK Short) and Shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival (Audience Award), and is set for its online release on February 18th, 2019. 

I sincerely hope you'll check it out. 

Little Shit follows Paul (Badger Skelton), a little shit of a kid with an obnoxious attitude and a willingness to use it. He's the kind of kid you don't want your own kid to be and the kind of kid you'd avoid if you ran into him in a dark alley late at night. 

But, of course, there's more to Paul. 

Little Shit is a monochromatic work of wonder, a beautifully paced and naturally acted film in which young Paul heads out on little adventures of his own where the walls come down and the truth comes out as he discovers the real Paul amidst the hidden wonders of the real London. 

Skelton, whom Dr. Who fans may recognize from 2017's "Thin Ice" episode, is an absolute gem here as Paul as he embodies the young man with quiet layers of beautiful complexity and emotional honesty. He's a ball of anger and hurt and uncertainty and vulnerability and innocence all rolled into one, all brought beautifully to life by the young Skelton. It's a tremendous performance that instantly had me looking up the rest of his cinematic work. 

The entirety of Little Shit is rather wonderful, one particular fishing scene being nothing short of masterfully realized. James Miller's lensing for the film is simply exceptional, while Angus MacRae's original music adds to the film's emotional depth and poignancy. Kudos should also be given to Benjamin Putland's patient, immersive editorial work in a film that lingers until just the right moment arrives. 

Little Shit features an ensemble cast that is sublime, hitting all the right notes in a film that never plays a note that feels false. That may be, in fact, the master stroke of Little Shit - Gorodecky's wise and wonderful work here helps to dispel the myths and stereotypes of kids we are quick to label yet not so quick to simply love. It's a beautiful film and the kind of film that lingers in your heart and mind long after the closing credits have scrolled by. 

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic