Beth Review: A Frustratingly Unfinished Sci-Fi Drama
In a world where short-form content is becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s essential to craft a narrative that is perfectly formed, with no wasted seconds or words. Unfortunately, Beth, a 34-minute sci-fi drama written and directed by Uzo Oleh, falls short of this mark. The film, which premiered on Channel 4’s digital platform and YouTube, tells the story of a couple who unexpectedly fall pregnant after giving up on IVF.
According to a review by The Guardian, "If something is going to be small, it needs to be perfectly formed. If it’s a short story, you need to be giving it Katherine Mansfield levels of welly. If you’re contemplating a 90-minute adaptation of Great Expectations, you need to be David Lean." This sentiment is particularly relevant to Beth, which attempts to pack a complex narrative into a short runtime.
The story follows Molly (Abbey Lee), a willowy, Scandinavian-looking blond, and her husband Joe (Nicholas Pinnock), who is Black. The couple’s longed-for baby, Imogen, is the image of her mother, but it’s not long before suspicions arise about the child’s origins. As The Guardian notes, "The doctor, Balthas (Nick Blood) who oversaw their fertility treatments is white, too, and suddenly the comforting hand he placed on Molly’s knee during their last session looks like the tip of an iceberg."
As the story unfolds, the couple’s relationship begins to unravel, and Joe discovers evidence that suggests Molly may have had an affair with Dr. Balthas. However, the pacing of the narrative is uneven, with too much time spent on depicting the couple’s "unbreakable" bond and not enough on exploring the implications of Joe’s discovery. The Guardian criticises the film’s script, stating that it "needs to be tighter and work harder so that we aren’t left feeling as if we’ve just watched the beginning of a Black Mirror episode."
Despite its stylish direction and fine performances, particularly from Pinnock, Beth feels like a frustratingly unfinished piece. As The Guardian notes, "An endeavour like this should feel dense but leave you wanting more – through tantalisation and not, as here, largely through frustration." The film’s ending is rushed, with too many questions left unanswered.
In conclusion, Beth is a thought-provoking but imperfect sci-fi drama that fails to live up to its full potential. While it’s clear that Oleh has a keen eye for direction and a talented cast, the script needs significant work to make the most of its short runtime. As The Guardian concludes, "Beth is a very stylish and confidently directed piece, but… it needs to be tighter and work harder."
Beth is available to stream on YouTube and will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 10 pm on June 9. For those interested in watching more of Uzo Oleh’s work, it’s worth keeping an eye on future projects from this talented photographer and short film-maker.
The film’s narrative raises important questions about identity, family, and the implications of fertility treatments. However, as The Guardian notes, "the script needs to be tighter and work harder" to effectively explore these themes.
In an interview with The Guardian, Oleh discussed the inspiration behind Beth, stating that the film was influenced by her own experiences and interests in exploring complex social issues. While Beth may not be a perfect film, it’s clear that Oleh is a talented and ambitious filmmaker to watch.
As the television landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that short-form content will play an increasingly important role. Beth serves as a reminder that, when it comes to short-form storytelling, every second counts.
By taking a closer look at Beth, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by short-form content. As The Guardian notes, "If something is going to be small, it needs to be perfectly formed."
Ultimately, Beth is a film that will leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll. While it may not be a perfect film, it’s a thought-provoking and stylishly directed piece that showcases the talents of Uzo Oleh and her cast.
