Short Film Review: 'The Jungle of Accounting' (2020)
What I find to be most attractive about this sub-genre of comedy is how fun it is. Nothing is too heavy or even remotely exhausting about them. In the short film format, it makes the viewing experience that much sweeter.
★★★★★
NR - Comedy, Mockumentary (11 minutes)
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“Charles and Maryanne Bailey, the proud owners of a small accounting firm, reflect on the absurd yet true stories of their past assistants in the 1980’s”
— Official Synopsis
Accounting has never been so disastrous…
Man do I miss this style of filmmaking: mockumentaries. In fact, the last time I saw one done this good — it was Netflix’s American Vandal (2017-2018). What I find to be most attractive about this sub-genre of comedy is how fun it is. Nothing is too heavy or even remotely exhausting about them. In the short film format, it makes the viewing experience that much sweeter.
Chase Pearson (Cash Only, 2019) wrote and directed The Jungle of Accounting, which stars Ray Bergen (Charles Bailey, Older), Kathy McCort (Maryanne Bailey, Older), Timothy J. Cox (Charles Bailey, Younger), and Colleen Sproull (Maryanne Bailey, Younger). It is rounded out with an exceptional supporting cast, including: Kate McGarrigle (Amy Schwartz), Erin Patrick Miller (Jimmy Doyle), Coco Conroy (Rebecca Simon), and Greer Barnes (FBI agent). Each of the performances feels authentic to their character’s personality and all the actors have lively chemistry.
Daniel Chang’s command of the frame is thrilling, and the style certainly upkeeps the script’s break-neck pace. It’s fascinating just how much story is packed into a tightly cut short. Because, in all honesty, you could make hours out of this kind of content. There’s more to each character than what is presumed at the very beginning of the film, making for a truly exciting unraveling of events. Not to mention, the comedic timing is perfect — not only by the actors but through montage; or the editing, in laymen’s terms. P.s. the use of curse words is gut-busting.
So what are you waiting for? Check out a few stills from The Jungle of Accounting below and keep your eyes peeled for when it finally releases.