Director: Michael Paul Stephenson (as Michael Stephenson)
Writers: Eric Hoffman (as Eric Von Hoffman), Bob Odenkirk
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Amber Tamblyn, Stacy Keach
Released via Netflix on the 14th February “Girlfriend’s Day” with a running time of 70 minutes has a very simple plot . Ray Wentworth (Odenkirk) is a Romance writer trying his best to recapture the feelings that once made him the greatest greeting card writer determined to create the perfect card for a new holiday: “Girlfriend’s Day”
Every now and then Netflix will throw out one of these little short movies and to be honest I enjoy experimental and independent movies just as well as the mainstream blockbusters. After viewing this one I felt the writing was at times nonsensical and weird. Which surprised me as Eric Hoffman has a history writing with Bob Odenkirk in the 1990’s comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David (also written by David Cross and John Ennis) which ran for four seasons.
Odenkirk’s acting and his character Ray were still enjoyable to watch to be fair but I can’t really say the same for the other characters in the movie as none of them really stood out. Steven Michael Quezada (Breaking Bad) Natasha Lyonne (American Pie) and Amber Tamblyn (Django Unchained) had a few interesting moments but it all felt very rushed and underdeveloped.
I do have to credit Director Michael Paul Stephenson’s vision and pacing that wouldn’t feel out if place in an episode of Breaking Bad with some grainy visions and suspense in a few scenes (credit also to Richard Wong who has worked as cinematographer mostly in shorts) and I can understand the running time of this movie being what it is due to the writing.
The movies music is by Bobby Tahouri who has previously worked in that department on the likes of Game of Thrones and Marvel’s Iron Man. None of the music really stands out and mostly just blends into the background. This is not a criticism, but if I had to compare it to anything it would be in past television work that wouldn’t feel out of place in Murder She Wrote or Columbo.
If you have an hour or so to kill and a fan of Odenkirk then I recommend you watch this short little weird movie as he is always a joy to watch. Nothing groundbreaking in this release from Netflix and probably a one time viewing should be enough.
Movie Burner Entertainment 