Cold Dreams

Nightmares as Cold Dreams

Domestic violence gets a cold and calculated treatment in Keegan Larwin's unflinching short film Daydream.

Domestic violence is an abhorrent act that often goes un-discussed, but in recent years has come to the forefront of societal discussion, most notably the Ray Rice video. However, it is then swept under the rug too soon by more "urgent" stories. Art, and to be more specific, film, while at its core is meant to entertain, can also serve as a vessel to analyze these issues and bring them to daily discourse. A problem cannot be solved unless it is finally approached. Solutions can vary, but they cannot be accomplished until we take the first step in simply talking about it. Communication is key. It might seem like a long
The End as We Know It had a clear goal: entertain. Sit back and have a fun time. Daydream is not that. I don't know if this film is even entertaining. It is a very good film, but there is no fun in it. It is a film that skillfully tackles a mature subject for mature audiences. It is a cold film. Again, Larwin features some great camerawork and visual flare, but keeps it second to the story and his actors. This is a story about people and what violence can do to them. While Jesse DiFranco as David may have more punchy dialogue to deliver (in limited screen time he proves to be a good foil) Rachel Ruggieri as Kara seems to come off robotic and stiff, which on the surface may be frustrating to the viewer, but one needs to look closer. This is a woman who is trapped. She is a captive in the prison of her own home and own marriage, where all joy has been drained. She lives in fear and Ruggieri convincingly displays this with each and every shot and at film's end, which is ambiguous to the ultimate outcome, there is a sense of relief on her face. No matter what is ahead, she has found momentary