Single | SXSW 2020 Film Review

Single is a short film about a confident and headstrong woman born with one arm that gets set up on a blind date with a man who has one hand. You would think that this would be the perfect set up, because the two would understand the struggle each other have endured but – nope – that’s not what Kim wants.

The two characters both have strong, diverse personalities that engage the audience. Our lady lead, Kim (Delaney Feener, Come As You Are), engages us in an uncomfortable but fun way. She’s certainly pissed about a lot of things – mostly being treated differently – and rightfully so.

Kim’s match for the evening is Jake (Jordan Wieseley, Tyler Perry’s If Loving You Is Wrong), whose main purpose in the story is to challenge and combat Kim with her existing brashness on her romantic partner preferences. Unlike Kim, he isn’t phased by their physical commonality and works to make the best of their date. Since Single is more about Kim’s experience and take on life, she is the comedic relief, and he is the hunk making her smile, if even for just a bit.

Single makes the audience question even our best intentions, which makes us uncomfortable about any prior interactions with an individual who has amelia or partial amelia (a limb missing from birth). By asking to carry their groceries or do something for them, are those of us not born with this condition making those who are feel inferior or inadequate? The film answers this question and offers another perspective with a particular brand of comedy

Among the great comedy, performances, and story is the production value. I was really impressed with the way this short film was put together as a whole. From the atmosphere and look of Single to the seamless appearance, writer and director Ashley Eakin impressed upon me the talent at her disposal. It’s clear when watching this short just how much she absorbed from her time as an assistant to director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), and that Eakin had a vision she sought to solidify.

It can be difficult enough to put together an engaging, full-length feature film. But in my opinion, it’s even more difficult to pull off an incredibly well-rounded short film with fifteen minutes of screen time that gets you engaged immediately and leaves you wanting more. I really hope to see an expansion with this casting from Eakin.

Single is a fantastic ode to the unapologetic and confident women of the world who will accept nothing less than what they desire and transforms the narrative of disabilities.