Curiosity: An Off-beat Comedy That Carries Several Subtexts Of Contemporary Social Issues

Directed by James Sunshine, Curiosity is a 14:36-long joyride, full of puns, one-liners and guffaws. Written by Tasha Hardy the film revolves around Bob Cooke (Bob Clendenin) whose lonesome existence borders on invisibility for the world and aching loneliness for himself. With only his best friend Dustin Baker (Eddie Steeples) for company and neighbour Holly Quella (Kirsten Farrell) to dream about, his life is pretty much insignificant. Things take a turn for the merriment for all involved, when Bob discovers that Holly’s life is in danger and he takes it upon himself to be her knight in shining armour. Does he succeed? Well, that would warrant watching the short. But, without giving away any spoilers, Hardy’s writing and Sunshine’s editing make Curiosity a hilarious narrative that sways between borderline madness and endearing comedy.

Clendenin brings Bob to life. There is a charming affability to the guy. An ordinary, Post Office Department Carrier, the mundanity of his profession spills into his home front where his life is compartmentalised into comics, pies and peeping into others’ business! And, Clendenin does it with ease. For a good part of the first few minutes, it’s actually Clendenin’s voice-over that accompanies us, as we follow Bob through his day. And, when seen from his perspective, the world does seem desolate and lacking in warmth. Which isn’t far fetched, considering how the digital take-over of our lives have incarcerated us into our own versions of hell. But, when coupled with the dialogues, all delivered in the dead-pan humour style, the visuals become an animated comic strip on display. A fitting description considering how it’s the love for comics that binds Bob to his dream girl “Holly”, who by the way is largely unaware of his existence. 

The hilarity of the dynamics between the characters come about ironically because of its non-existence. And, Sunshine capitalises on the absence of it to create the absurd world of Bob, where his friend Dustin, brilliantly played by Steeples, a wannabe cop, comes to accompany his best friend on their adventure to rescue the damsel. Except that this damsel needs no rescuing! Cinematographer (Massimiliano Trevis), saves Curiosity from being a bottle film, and yet manages to create a breathing space for Bob’s house. The editing by Sunshine is neat, giving the added edge to the delivered lines. It’s Clendenin and Steeples who actually steal the show. Watch out for the segment where they prep themselves for the final act of rescue!

Curiosity is a must-watch, not only for its lightheartedness, but also subtlety with which it addresses several issues. The mind games that can be as entertaining as menacing, the aching need to be noticed as much as wanting to be left alone are all dichotomies that we live with. And, Curiosity does more than simply present them for pastime viewing. A fun-filled depiction of someone’s idea of heroism and adventure, the film is as much laugh riot as it is a sensible plot worth pondering.

Watch Curiosity Short Film Trailer