By: MJ Asuncion
A refreshingly delightful comedic short film, I Want to Feel Fun, by Oscar-nominated director Jessica Sanders, hits the mark at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. The themes of love, family, acceptance, femininity and the search for connection are exquisitely wrapped and displayed within this witty 9-minute short. What it means to be a woman is not pretty, it’s not easy and it’s not neatly tied with a bow. It can be messy, vulnerable, riddled with uncertainty and emotionally draining.
The first thing that draws our attention is a Nicki Minaj shower curtain, prominently displayed in frame, as we are introduced to Esther (Esther Povitsky), who we follow as she navigates life in this off-beat comedy. Nicki Minaj plays a big part in the premise of the short and we later learn why. Esther’s sort-of boyfriend (Simon Rex), her brother (Avi Rothman) and her brother’s longtime girlfriend (Vivian Bang) round out the core group of characters. In Esther’s dance class she formulates a plan to go to the Nicki Minaj concert. From here, we witness the hilarity between the characters, but also get a sense of who they are and what drives them.
The cast includes some of comedy’s best, including Povitsky, Rex, Rothman, Bang and Dugan O’Neal. Their entirely improvised performances bring a natural ease, authenticity and spontaneous flair to the film. The dialog is quick and spot on, showcasing the raw talent of the actors. Esther’s chaotic charm and wit and how she does not take herself too seriously is a joy to watch. Also, the men in Esther’s life are all too familiar. Her relationship with Simon is both toxic and strangely sweet. The dynamic between Avi and Vivian had a genuine relatability.
I Want to Feel Fun is co-written by Jessica Sanders, Povitsky and Rothman. The film is produced by Sanders and Patricia Seely with Rothman also serving as co-producer. Jessica Sanders is a Sundance, SXSW and Cannes-Award winning director and producer of narrative and documentary films and commercials. Her documentary short Sing! (2001) about the Los Angeles Children’s Choir was nominated for an Academy Award. Sanders delivers again with I Want to Feel Fun, effortlessly showcasing her talent as a director, producer and writer. Composing a deeply layered story in a short runtime demonstrates her natural ability to bring out the best in the writing and her actors.
I Want to Feel Fun is a quirky comedy with a lot of heart that is extremely relatable. We all long for human connection and to feel like we belong. We make our way through life as best we can while trying to stay true to ourselves and that’s what we see in this film.