Sparks

I came across this short film directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and starring Carla Gugino and Eric Stoltz (and other well-known actors) on a DVD of short films called Wholphin DVD magazine. Not only was it the best of the bunch, but had it been longer, it would have been indistinguishable from a pro film and good enough to be released. Totally professional look and feel. Also it gave an excuse for Carla to sing rock and roll and Joseph to play drums (as he did on Saturday Night Live) as well as direct.

The film is based on a short story by Elmore Leonard, and Stoltz is an insurance investigator looking into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Carla's mansion burning down. Scenarios and theories go back and forth in a battle of wits in a modern-day film noir. As I said in the summary, it's a strange but fun film.