Short Film - Troy

Screening at Sundance Film Festival later this month, Kraig Taylor-Bryant watched Mike Donahue's short film Troy...

Troy has loud sex. Troy has loud sex 24/7. Troy shares a wall with Thea and Charlie. Troy is ruining their lives… Or is he saving them?

[Mild Spoilers ahead - Ed]

We all like a relatable story don’t we? To feel the same way as the characters is, at least in my opinion, the best way to grow to like a character, empathy is a powerful tool. Did I expect to be empathising with a couple that constantly have to cope with hearing neighbours having sex? It’d be weird if I did; thin walls are a wonderful thing though, aren't they?

That's what Troy is all about, bringing to light a story, that's… certainly original, about Thea and Charlie, a couple that have to learn to cope with their neighbour Troy, literally having sex for a living, and how Troy's life has an impact on theirs negatively, but also, to my surprise, positively as well.

Thea (played by Adina Verson) and Charlie (Michael Braun), both do a great job at portraying a couple that to begin with, hate hearing Troy's constant sex groans, but because of how these never-ending noises make their interactions with their friends all the more interesting, they begin to somewhat miss this when Troy's relationship with his boyfriend is threatened.

Troy (Florian Klein) on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with Thea and Charlie, which is also understandable somewhat, given that to him, it looks like they’re constantly prying in his life and personal business. I think, again, that’s something a lot of people can relate to, in that there’s often a neighbour that is curious about, or wants to know more about who they’re living close to, and the other just wants to keep to themselves and live their life.

In a weird way, it’s the comedic value of the constant sex noises that’ll keep viewers engaged with this film. Even if you don’t grow to like Troy, in the obscure way that Thea and Charlie grow to like him, you’ll at least be able to laugh at the odd situation, and how they grow to care about Troy, because of how big a role his sex life has had in their own daily lives.

Troy is screening as part of the Short Program 2 at Sundance on January 20th, 21st, 23rd and 25th.

Follow Kraig on Twitter @kraigandhismac

Image - Sundance Film Festival