He (David Fierro) is a high-powered producer of some sort, the kind of Weinstein styled larger than life figure we've read about in all the newspapers and hope we never encounter. 

She (Natalie Walker) appears to be his latest fresh meat, a girl from Kansas with bright eyes and big dreams and a smidgen of talent than can be exploited. 

Or so it would seem. 

A thoughtful, involving 12-minute short film directed by Jon Huggins and written by Kim Davies, Room Service is a squirm-inducing indie short about a young actress who enters a cat-and-mouse game with a famous producer when a breakfast meeting at his hotel takes an unexpected turn. 

Of course, these days we kind of expect this sort of turn. 

As the duo in question, both David Fierro and Natalie Walker are absolute delights to watch come to life. Fierro is all smarm and charm, the kind of guy you wouldn't trust to change the oil in your car but also the kind of guy you'll hand over your hopes and dreams to even though that inside voice is telling you, actually screaming at you, that something ain't right. He's the kind of guy who could easily be a caricature here, though to Fierro's massive credit that actually never happens. 

Perhaps even more delicious here is Natalie Walker's performance, a sort of twisty delight of vulnerability meets weathered confidence and absolute control. It's a joy to watch unfold and Walker brings it all to life quite beautifully. 

Together, these two are a joy to watch and you can't help but hate to see it end after 12 minutes. 

Curts Damour's lensing brings it all to life, occasionally playful and occasionally tension filled and never quite revealing exactly what's going on. The same is true for the original music of Matt Browne, while Huggins's own production design is comfortably uncomfortable and leaves us unsure what to make of it all. 

Room Service is a fun, satisfying view that toys with Hollywood tradition and contemporary social issues with equal zest and vigor and enthusiasm. You'll enjoy watching it unfold and should check it out at a fest near you if you get the chance.

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic