Movie Review Canvas (2020 - Short Film)

 

Canvas | 2020 | 9m
Genre: Animation/Family/Short | Country: US
Director: Frank E. Abney III | Writers: Frank E. Abney III
IMDB: 6.4
My Rate: 10/10

After losing his wife, a grandfather loses his purpose and inspiration for painting until his granddaughter accidentally opens a box of grief he had been keeping tightly shut.

Warning:

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Synopsis:

A grandfather wakes up in his bed, feeling the emptiness beside him. He goes to his yard which is the place to paint, reminiscing about the happy times he shared with his late wife.  A small figure then appears before him. His daughter brings his granddaughter to meet him.

The cheerful granddaughter shares the same passion for painting as his grandfather.  She excitedly shows his grandfather her drawings, which are met with a warm smile. The grandfather had stopped painting after his wife's death and had locked away all his memories in his studio.

One day, the granddaughter's pencil rolls into the studio.  Curious, she enters the room and finds a painting with a portrait of his grandmother.  The grandfather, seeing this, becomes slightly angry, until the sight of the painting triggers a flood of happy memories.

Will the grandfather be able to paint again?

 

Review:

"Canvas" is a film inspired by Frank's personal experience of losing his father at the age of five.  This death not only affected him but also his entire family.  Frank tries to convey this through his short film.  Overall, the film successfully tells its story.

Some viewers might find it a bit boring due to the lack of dialogue.  Others might be confused by the storyline or the reason why the grandfather stopped painting.  Implicitly, the grandfather's loss of desire to paint is due to the loss of his 'inspiration' - his wife.  She was his source of inspiration and happiness. When she died, so did his inspiration and happiness.

The grandfather tries to cope with his loss by burying his memories and keeping them locked away in his studio.  However, this doesn't bring him happiness. What we truly need is to confront our loss and learn to 'live with it'.  The memories that resurface become a turning point for genuine acceptance.

The animation is excellent.  The smooth lines, melancholic color palette, and expressions of the characters are all well-done.  The music selection is also well-chosen.  It's no surprise that the film won Outstanding Short Film at the 52nd NAACP Image Awards and the 21st Annual Black Reel Awards.

Overall, this film is suitable for family viewing.  However, it might not be suitable for young children due to its heavy themes.  Adult guidance is needed to help younger viewers understand the story.

 

Memorable Scene:

The granddaughter, seeing his grandfather hesitate to touch the painting of his wife, tries to reassure him.  She takes the grandfather's hand and places it on the painting.  This scene shows how often we just need a little encouragement from someone or our environment to overcome our doubts.

 
Memorable Dialogue:

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Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Must Watch.

 

(Aluna)