The Phone Call (2013)

The Phone Call concerns Heather (Emily Hawkins), a shy, reclusive woman who works as a dispatcher for a crisis hotline. One day, she picks up the phone to hear an elderly man sobbing profusely on the other end. Being the professional that she is, she slowly talks to him and gets him to reveal his current situation. The man states he is "Stanley" (voiced by Jim Broadbent), a man who lost his wife Joan a few years ago and has taken a handful of antidepressants in order to cope with the mental pain. He doesn't want Heather to call an ambulance; he has made up his mind about ending his life and is content with his decision. He just wants companionship before he fades away.This is a somber short film that sneaks up on you with the way Stanley's undying love for his wife comes through, as he tells Heather stories and details about his wife, along with being so content about his extreme decision. Hawkins plays her character wonderfully, exuding shyness and fright, despite keeping her professionalism throughout the entire ordeal, in a profoundly affecting manner. Broadbent, though he is no more than a voice throughout the short, also provides one with spine-tingling urgency, as his voice captivates, giving off each emotion and vocal-quiver with a great deal of sincerity and believability. Directed Mat Kirkby's camera shoots all the right things, in addition, from close-ups on Heather's small, reserved movements or her notes on Stanley, filling the environment with simultaneously unsettling and tranquil vibes.The Phone Call instantly reminds me of Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, a short documentary which, like The Phone Call, won an Oscar for its respective category. That film showed the daily routines of several dispatchers at a crisis hotline, helping numerous souls, in this case, veterans, who were on the teetering edge of suicide and either needed companionship or some sort of guidance. Judging by these two beautifully-made shorts, the relationship dispatchers form with their callers through the means of a telephone is one that we will likely see develop and grow overtime, and if such an idea is carried out with the kind of heartbreaking realism and brutal honesty these two shorts have depicted, I'm all for it.Starring: Emily Hawkins and Jim Broadbent. Directed by: Mat Kirkby.

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)Rating: 4.7/5 stars"The Phone Call" is set at a crisis hotline center. Heather (Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, ) begins her shift by receiving a phone call from an an obviously distressed man named Stan (Oscar winner Jim Broadbent) who has taken an overdose of antidepressants. She spends most of the film trying to connect with the guy and determine where he is so that she can send help. Ultimately, it has an depressing yet uplifting end, and clearly isn't a film for everyone.While "The Phone Call" is definitely not a feel-good film, it has some excellent acting by Sally Hawkins ("Blue Jasmine", "Paddington") - her ability to emote and make the most of scenes where she is essentially acting alone are terrific. You never see Jim Broadbent ("Isis") in the film, but his voice is quite recognizable, as he has a ton of terrific films to his credit. His voice alone is more than enough to convey the entire gamut of emotions that a suicidal man with nothing more to live for might experience as he's about to take that final drastic step.When Heather tells Stan it's better to talk things out, he says it's too late for that, ominously adding, "It's already done." She asks if he's taken any pills; he admits he's consumed "more than enough" antidepressants. The camera cuts to his home, signaled by the live sound of the caller's voice. The camera closes in on the mantel, followed by a ticking clock.Watching and listening to Hawkins and Broadbent's 20 minute exchange is almost unbearably painful – and as good as acting gets. Achingly sad yet ultimately hopeful, "The Phone Call" is a showcase for both actors at their most affecting - ultimately being a touching story about a love that endured and a love that has potential.

'THE PHONE CALL': Four Stars (Out of Five)A 20 minute British short film; which was nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Live Action Short Film, at the upcoming 87th Academy Awards. It stars Sally Hawkins as the dedicated employee of a crisis hotline center, who receives a disturbing phone call from a suicidal caller. She desperately tries to save him. It was directed by Mat Kirkby and written by Kirkby and James Lucas. The short costars Edward Hogg and the voice of Jim Broadbent. I found it to be short (of course) but still effectively moving.Hawkins plays Heather; a rather shy woman, who works as a helpline call center counselor. One day she receives a distressing call; from a man (Broadbent) who sounds extremely depressed. The caller also (eventually) tells her he's swallowed a large amount of pills. Heather tries her hardest to find out who he is, and where he's at, in order to save him.The film is pretty depressing, and not for everyone, but I also found it to be really inspiring; it definitely takes the viewer through a lot of different emotions. It's also surprising how effectively suspenseful it is; I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out. Kirkby co-wrote a pretty insightful and moving script, and he does an even more impressive job bringing it to life. What's most impressive about the short is Hawkin's performance though; too bad they don't give out Oscars for acting in short films!Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://youtu.be/WFFIYhYu22M

"The Phone Call" is set at a crisis hotline center. Heather begins her shift by receiving a phone call from a man who is depressed and has taken an overdose of antidepressants. She spends most of the film trying to connect with the guy and determine where he is so that she can send help. Ultimately, it has a super-depressing ending and is not a film most folks would enjoy. While the film is definitely NOT a feel-good film, it has some excellent acting by Sally Hawkins as Heather--and her ability to emote and make the most of scenes where she is essentially acting alone are terrific. Plus, it's interesting to note that the very talented actor, Jim Broadbent, plays the suicidal man. You never see him in the film, but his voice is quite recognizable, as he has a ton of terrific films to his credit.UPDATE: I was a bit surprised by this, but "The Phone Call" won the Oscar. Congratulations.