In Their Absence (2004) User Reviews

Beautiful Exploration

[SpinnerPR · 9 August 2004]

I was fortunate enough to see this short at an LA Film Festival, where it deservedly received honors for its rich and evocative cinematography. In Their Absence was able to more deeply explore the themes of love, loneliness, loss and need with so little dialogue than most full length movies can do in two hours of superficial chatter. The surprising take on war brides coupled with subtle yet deep social commentary showed a truly unique idea, and a bold voice. The writer/director had a full and complete vision, and was able to easily support it with fine actors. And with what I'm only guessing was a low budget, the set, costuming and soundtrack were quite remarkable - detailed and appropriate. This is definitely a film to both see and feel.

I didn't really get any feel out of it....

[Irishchatter · 2/10 · 17 November 2016]

To be honest with you, all I was looking at was a group of women dancing to a dull 1940's tune. There didn't seem to be an emotion, it was like they all were dreading to dance with one another, I could be wrong but this is what I felt here as a viewer!

Then we see a woman just staring at them as if she was unwelcomed at the party. I mean, it really made me very cringy like it was pure ridiculous.

There should've been at least more lines in this for the actresses to speak to each other more than just one sentence. I hadn't a clue what was going on, all I know it was set in the 1940s and a girlfriend dancing with a girlfriend. That was it really.

It's not really a great short to be honest, it was rather brutal and a waste of time watching it for just 8 minutes...