Short Film Review: 'Live Health' (2021)
Both Jamie and Timothy J. Cox are aware of how to set the stage for an emotional climax. Stringing the viewer along with the stories of the patients, and not Dr. Marcus; that is, until it all becomes to much.
★★★½
NR - Short, Drama (9 minutes)
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dir. Jamie Cox & Timothy J. Cox
Starring: Timothy J. Cox, Nancy Kellogg Gray, Bob Rutan, Becca Robinson
“A day in the life of therapist Dr. Peter Marcus who, due to the pandemic, now conducts sessions with his patients online.”
— Official Synopsis
We all have been feeling the effects of the pandemic. From Zoom meetings to virtual health visits, some have lost a sense of connection to their past life—maybe even themselves. Dr. Peter Marcus (Timothy J. Cox) must now visit with his patients virtually. It is extremely difficult for the patients, and even Dr. Marcus, to find peace in this new reality.
Cox astoundingly portrays just how detached from everything some of us are. Even more so, the patients themselves seem to be struggling with the new reality; much of the time is centered around the patient’s problems. Ironically, though, it forces you to think about your own problems. No matter what your current situation is, everyone is struggling with all kinds of different problems. Even the people that are supposed to be helping us cope with them.
Both Jamie and Timothy J. Cox are aware of how to set the stage for an emotional climax. Stringing the viewer along with the stories of the patients, rather than Dr. Marcus; that is, until it all becomes to much. We are put into the perspective of Dr. Marcus: watching everyone else share their feelings while holding ours back. It’s an effective method of getting the viewer to empathize with the protagonist.
Additionally, Live Health affirms that it should be common to seek help and to feel valid in your emotions. If there is one thing to take away from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that we all are have our struggles. As cliché as that sounds, it has never been more true and Live Health explores it with subtlety.
Watch the full film here: https://youtu.be/wz9Sw-s4ONs