"Laid to Rest", not to be confused with the flick
featuring the guy with the chrome skull, is the impressive follow up to
Jennifer Valdes' brilliant short film "Isabelle".
Jessie (Jessica Felice) is the forlorn,
may-or-may-not-be-a-ghost at the center of the story. Pining to connect one
last time with her love (Taylor
August) before she can rest in peace, she wanders the cemetery looking for
release. A relationship gone bad complicates things considerably when dealing
with restless spirits, and the central characters in "Laid To Rest"
are no exception. A superb job from the cast & crew makes all of this come
across clearly in the relative short running time.
Moody, surreal, atmospheric sequences, juxtaposed with a
smidgen of violence are what make this short such a compelling watch. Measured,
subdued performances fit perfectly with the ethereal style and the excellent
graveyard setting to give the short an almost gothic, Hammer-esque vibe.
Felice, in particular, lends the film a solemn sense of dread with her yearning
portrayal of unrequited love.
Valdes' certainly put some work in with this, her most
recent project, and the film has a quality feel to it that leaves the viewer
with a "damn, this shoulda been a feature" feeling. Great cinematography,
a fitting soundtrack, and even direction make "Laid To Rest" a
compelling example of competent, passionate film making.
