Validation (2007)
7/10
Doesn't Outstay Its Welcome
15 July 2010
This short film revolves around parking attendant Hugh Newman who not only gives people tickets but compliments that changes their whole outlook on life . Within a short period of time Hugh has become something of a celebrity but finds his life unfulfilled when he meets a photographer who is incapable of smiling . What can he do to make her smile just once ?

On paper there might have been great potential turning this short in to a feature length movie but the more I thought about it the more I started to realise quirky shorts probably don't make good features . One the problems might have been the character Hugh himself and the way he's played by TJ Thyne .Try and imagine a young Gene Wilder on ecstasy and you have some idea of how irritating an initially happy clappy character can quickly become

This probably sums up VALIDATION - it's length compliments its quirky nature and feel good factor . It's well shot by director Kurt Kuenne and is a feel good fable that comes to a stop just around about the time when cynical embittered nihilists feel their patience might just end
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