In addition to Sundance movies likeCODA,PleasureandViolation, one of the best things I’ve seen this past week isZach Woods' excellent short filmDavid, which starsWill Ferrell,William Jackson Harper(The Good Place) and up-and-comerFred Hechinger(News of the World). And now you can watch the 12-minute film in its entirety below!
Harper plays a severely depressed man in crisis who reaches out to his therapist (Ferrell) for an emergency session, only to find that he’s not the only one who needs help. To say any more would spoil some of the surprises, but suffice to say, I loved this short film, which has both heart and humor in spades.
There’s a reasonDavidwas the only short film from the U.S. to compete for the Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival before making its way to TIFF and Telluride, and that’s because it packs a surprisingly powerful punch in just under 12 short minutes.
“I wanted to make a movie about people who are funny and sad and trying their best – which, in my limited experience, is most people,” Woods said in a statement.
ThoughDavidis expertly made, the direction takes a backseat to the writing, which strikes a careful balance of comedy and drama. The script also addresses the demands between work and family, which millions of people have grappled with this past year after being forced to work from home during the pandemic. Though the short deals with some serious issues, including suicide, it boasts a hilarious and heartwarming ending that will leave a smile on your face.
Woods co-wroteDavidwithBrandon Gardner, and he also produced the short withKevin ChinoyandFrancesca Silvestrifrom Freestyle Picture Company (The Florida Project) andJett SteigerandLana Kimfrom Ways & Means (Super Dark Times), as well asAndrew Porter.
Woods is best known for playing Gabe onThe Officeand Jared onSilicon Valley, and he currently stars inArmando Iannucci’s HBO seriesAvenue 5, which has been renewed for a second season. The actor recently starred opposite Ferrell in the movieDownhill, and his other feature credits includeSteven Spielberg’sThe Post,Paul Feig’sThe HeatandSpy, and Iannucci’sIn the Loop.
WatchDavidin its entirety below courtesy ofOmeleto, where you can also find an insightful analysis of this highly rewatchable short film – which is also eligible to compete for an Oscar nomination this year. And after you watchDavid, be sure to check out my list ofFerrell’s 10 best movies.
