Believe (II) (2000) User Reviews

A dark, psychological comedy about a young man who first convinces his roommate, and then possibly himself, into thinking that he's a secret agent.

[cake_eating_too · 7/10 · 1 October 2004]

Believe is the story of a young man who convinces his roommate that he's a secret agent. But he takes the joke just a little too far, and a little too seriously until our main character himself becomes deluded into possibly believing his own lie.

The main character's psychological delusions underscore the filmmaker's message that reality is indeed subjective and in the "eye of the beholder".

As short films go, this one of the most narratively ambitious and still successful efforts I've ever seen. The characters are great, the acting is solid and at times quite striking, the camera work is stellar, and the overall stylization is what you wish you would see more of in most Hollywood films. Kudos also to the score and sound design.

But what's most daring about the film is the filmmaker's challenge to the viewer to decide for his/herself what is 'reality'. If the main character believes something that may not be true, isn't it still true in the character's own mind? This is a darkly hilarious movie that warrants repeat viewings!

Could've been great

[alanjj · 5/10 · 14 November 2003]

The film drew me in, but then left me cold. The original premise was that a man was trying to drive his roommate mad, just for the hell of it. This plot fails to reach any conclusion, and the movie shifts to a character study of a disturbed young man with Christ-like delusions. The delusions may or may not be real.

The first plot line, which might lead to an eventual comeuppance, or to a final triumph in the cruel and senseless destruction of a human being, would have been much more interesting.

great conspiracy-style dark comedy

[zzzzev · 9/10 · 18 April 2006]

Great! Delusional sociopath torments his sissy roommate to the point he "Believes." If you like dark comedies and bizarre characters that are both feasible AND over the top, this is a solid short film to watch. The tone was well directed - the director balanced dark with comedy and (again) feasibility with over-the-top. Those juxtapositions gave the film a unique feeling you don't often find, or even attempt... very courageous.

I gave it a 9 instead of a full 10 because it was kind of long for a short film (24 minutes - though pace is fine) and I would've liked to have seen it end with the Limo confrontation instead of the tag.