Table for Two Review

Table for Two is a 2018 short film written and directed by Olayinka Johnson.

A film with a sweet message and some cute moments, but one that is just taking a bit too long to develop as a short. Table for Two has some good raw quirks to it, just not enough to keep things from feeling a bit too repetitive.

There is always going to be something to using the long take style in any production. However, in this piece it is the flat visuals that keep things held back the most. There is a pseudo run and gun style to the filming but with everything being mainly held down to a tripod it doesn’t help add to that more visceral style you will get in a on the move production.

The pacing in the edits is a mixed bag as well. Some cuts seem to linger on, while others jump in a flash. There isn’t any consistency throughout the short that gives it a pleasant flow. Add to that a piano song selection that just gets a little annoying after only a few minutes.

This is a film that probably could have cut in half in the runtime, which would have helped in the overall viewing experience. It just takes too long to get to the last few minutes of everything, which actually culminate into a fun little back and forth between the principal character and himself.

At the core of everything on display here is a fun, quirky film with a friendly message to it. However, it is just bogged down from too long a runtime and some strange editing decisions. The messaging of the piece is still an admiral one, though.

To follow on social media: Facebook

Cheers!

Daniel Hess

For more reviews and content stick with To Tony Productions and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog to stay up to date!