Jax In Love
Written Review
Hi everyone and welcome to MyIndie Review Vlog, the
show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of indie films. My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions.
Today’s review is of the 2017 horror short, Jax In Love, written by and starring MyIndie featured artist, writer and actress Rakefet Abergel, and directed by Colin Campbell. Thank you, Colin and Rakefet, for sharing your work with us.
Jax, portrayed by Rakefet Abergel, is on a road trip looking to find that special someone she can make a connection with. Her car breaks down on an interstate in the middle of the desert and she tries to call for help from what seems to be an abandoned gas station. Two suspicious-looking guys come to her aid just to try to get into her pants. She breaks away from them and finds help when picked up by a good samaritan, who takes her away from this hostile environment.
It seems Jax has had some tough emotional experiences with people in her past. She is now pining for emotional intimacy and cannot help but wear her heart on her sleeve when crossing paths with certain people whom she believes she can have a deep connection with.
In essence, it feels this film is about feelings most of us experience to some extent. Ones that are easy to relate to, loneliness and loss. Like some poisons, it may take a long while, but they will eventually damage us irreparably. That is why most of us, as humans, are social creatures. It is a basic human need. We seek out the comfort of company, both on a physical and an emotional level. Loss of someone close to us, or sometimes even some thing or situation, can easily throw us off the deep end.
I believe Rakefet interestingly gave expression to what may be borne of morbid loneliness and loss. She makes us, the viewers, immediately identify with the girl stranded in the middle of nowhere. The desert presented as an ominous place, filled with dangers, as we slowly get to learn just how dangerous it is.
The layout of the story keeps us invested in Jax, yet subtly unveils the true nature of things. Before the climax, it refrains from showing specifics, but rather makes us connect the dots ourselves.
To sum up, this is a fun film to watch that holds perfectly in its 20-minute runtime. It seems to testify that writer Rakefet Abergel knows her craft, and her performance was very convincing as well. Colin Campbell also did an excellent job directing this film. Jax In Love’s eerie rhythm manages to catch the isolated feel of the desert. Production value is exemplary. I can imagine it is quite a logistical and technical challenge to shoot a film in such an environment.
Jax In Love gets a 7.5/10 on the Look At Me I’m A Film Critic scale!
The film is currently ending a very successful festival run, so stay tuned for any developments.
Rakefet’s follow-up script, Boo, is now also experiencing festival success in script format. Rakefet has recently completed the shoot for Boo and has entered post-production. Abergel wrote the script, stars in the film and directs as well! There should be more news of the film’s release shortly, so stay tuned.
Until next time, keep supporting Indie Film. My name is Asaf Angel, I thank you for tuning in to MyIndie Review Vlog.
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