There's an undeniable familiarity to this 17-minute student short from writer/director Sophie-Dominique Parea, the story of two friends, Mia (Ana Parvu) and Teo (Damian Reyes-Fox), gather together one evening with their discussion leading toward a debate over their own philosophies of love. The discussion reveals their differences. 

I lean toward Mia's argument - love will inevitably end and will inevitably lead toward pain. 

Teo, on the other hand, finds himself more concerned with the loss of self and individuality that occurs in a reltaionship. 

They argue. They debate. They play pretend for what seems a fleeting moment that they have lived out a perfect relationship asking "What could this have been?" "If we broke up, would it have been worth it?"

If by now you're not thinking of Richard Linklater's Before films, then you likely haven't seen them. While Parea takes Play Pretend in different directions narratively, the film feels like it could be a fan film, not an insult, and benefits from appealing performances by both Parvu and Reyes-Fox. 

If you are looking for an action-packed film, this isn't it. Parea keeps things straightforward, our focus is entirely on Mia and Teo and this philosophical exploration of what it means to be in love, where it takes us, and what it takes from us. Play Pretend is an engaging film, Parea's dialogue triggers our own reflection and we enjoy our time with Mia and Teo even as the film spirals toward its inevitable conclusion and we're left with a sort of melancholy resignation with shards of hope. 

You may find yourself wanting more from Play Pretend. In some ways, I certainly did. However, there's something attractive about its simplicity and it's certainly a promising effort from an up-and-coming student filmmaker. Lensing by Ayush Singh is effective throughout and Michael Hurst's original score for the film companions its simplicity and allows the dialogue to be the focus. I really appreciated Sydney Waldman's lush, warm production design that creates a comfortable space for us to explore, immerse, and reflect. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic