Short of the Week

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Drama Tyler Lionel Parr

Ironied

Donald’s ‘bad day’ is given much needed context in Tyler Parr’s deftly handled film on appreciating how fortunate the majority of us are.

Play
Drama Tyler Lionel Parr

Ironied

Donald’s ‘bad day’ is given much needed context in Tyler Parr’s deftly handled film on appreciating how fortunate the majority of us are.

Ironied

Directed By Tyler Lionel Parr
Produced By Figurehead Films
Made In Canada

We all have those days right? Those days where lots of irritations and inconveniences build on top of one another to the point that, like Donald in this film, we look to the heavens to ask ‘why me’. Having had more than my fair share of lost electronics, missed flight connections, and things just not coming together in the past few weeks, I certainly can relate. Truth is though – for most of us, a standard ‘bad day’ is probably still way better than the many out there who genuinely are less fortunate.

If that sounds a very pat observation from a privileged point-of-view, then I suppose that is because it is. All credit to Tyler Parr’s film Ironied then, because it delivers this sentiment in a way that is engaging, natural, and effective.

Taking an unusual two-act structure, the film works its juxtaposition of situations really well. The first half is with Donald as he has just the worst morning; the second half we meet Charlie, a homeless drug addict trying just to survive. There is a lot of tone and content in here which could easily have landed flat, or come across as patronizing, but the film is impressive in the way it controls both elements, and how it transitions between them. Donald’s struggles are delivered with humor but with a convincing sense of his frustration and feeling that the world is somehow against him. Really though it is Charlie’s half of the film that gives the message its emotional kick.

Charlie is not presented to us as a victim for our pity, but rather as a person with a story. His natural and likeable delivery has a lot of pain and pathos behind it, drawing the viewer to feel for him while at the same time we go on the same journey of self-awareness that Donald is on. He gives the film its genuineness and sincerity that avoids preaching to the viewer, and allows the point to be made – but not forced. Both performances are natural and engaging to the point that you may not immediately notice that both lead characters are played by writer/director Tyler.

Tyler’s belief in his characters comes through across the film, and his passion for the message reflects the two-year crowdfunded journey to get this made. The end product was certainly worth it, and Charlie will probably come to your mind next time your wifi drops or your flight is slightly delayed.