A wonderfully dark short film, Nick Russell’s directorial debut Favourites fills you with dread and has you in as much of a gut wrench as the parents, only for the film to instead delightfully pull the rug out from under your feet. 

Parents Keith (Stephen Curry) and Justine (Sibylla Budd) are on a family camping trip in Australia with their two children, Justine (Sibylla Budd) and Patrick (Chris Labbett). The trip takes a dark turn when a tragic event occurs, leaving the parents with a heart-wrenching decision that could change their lives forever.

Favourites places Keith and Sam in the most unenviable positions, and then director Nick Russell decides to stir the pot just enough to bring the type of laughs only lovers of dark comedies would revel in. You can tell there is joy in allowing the audience and everyone in that room to stew for as long as possible so that the reward is all the more delightful. There won’t be many, if any, spoilers in this one, as you really do need to enjoy this very short short in all its glory. Needless to say, it is perfectly executed.

Stephen Curry’s performance in Favourites is a standout, as Russell’s camera focuses on him as the couple tries to figure out what their options are. Curry’s portrayal is excellent, and in that final scene, when he realises the full impact of what he has done, it hits home and, as I later mention, has you grasping for a few more precious minutes. Sibylla Budd, Maria Angelico as Sam, the Doctors assistant and Tony Briggs as the Doctor also deliver strong performances, keeping everything straight as an arrow for the audience to feel that heartache. Their collective talent makes that reveal all the sweeter for those of us with a joy of the macabre.

What truly sets Favourites apart is how it leaves you craving for more from the story. We are left at a point where you could be forgiven for being annoyed at co-writers Nick Musgrove and Nick Russell. Right when the film has kicked you and subsequently and quite hilariously picked you back up, it finishes. We could easily watch more of what happens with the family after the incident. Some short films are born to stay a short film as they are perfect as they are in that format. Yet, with Favourites, it is one of the few that you want to see what happens next; the idea presented is just too appetising not to want.

Watch Favourites whenever you get the chance. It is a lovely dark comedy that actually catches you off guard.

Favourites will be showing throughout TRIBECA Film Festival and more information can be found here.

★★★ 1/2

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