Overview
Seven retired friends meet once a week on a local park bench to talk about what has happened that week or as is usually the case what hasn’t happened. One week the conversation strays from its usual hum drum topics and all of their lives suddenly become a lot more interesting.
Director – jon pegg
Jon has wrote and directed several well received shorts and features and the Bench is the latest project he has worked on. His past contributions include The Quiet One , An hour of sleep and Making friends as the World ends.
Director Statement
The Bench is a real change of pace for me and was fantastic to work with a new set of actors.I think this project could grow into something as we move forward with it.
- Jon Pegg – Director
- Jill Lampert – Producer
- James Parsons – Key Cast “Jim”
- Sue Wallace – Key Cast “Lucy”
- Donna Jardine – Key Cast “Miriam”
- Graham Braidwood – Key Cast “Colin”
- Maura Judges – Key Cast “Lydia”
- Ron Parker – Key Cast “Stan”
- Richard Constable – Key Cast “Warden”
Expert Review
Do we still need to discuss about those moments or opportunities that we could not fulfil or failed to do. There are times when circumstances are not in our favour and we are bound to do which we have never wished to. “The Bench” is such a story that will rewind your memories back to your childhood life or your past. Seven elderly people meet at a park everyday in the morning to discuss about their happenings in life. If not morning, they meet in the afternoon just to get the company of each other. This short film is not about the seven childhood friends but rather seven different lives which blossoms out in the end.
However the tragical part of this film is one of the friend among those expires and so the rest of the story goes on with the remaining six friends. They chose the bench as their meeting point and open up their lives sitting and chit chatting there. The interesting character in this comedy film is a park warden, played by Richard Constable. Due to his curious nature, he used to wander into the park and gave warnings to those people who used to misbehave or broke any rules.
The character played by Phil Nooney was Daniel. He was planning to go for an excursion with his friends. But unfortunately could not do so and he died. It was from then everyone in the group started discussing about their future, fears and likings. The passing away of their dear friend Daniel had put a sad yet bittersweet impression on everyone’s mind.
One fine afternoon when all the six friends met in the park, Miriam chased the topic of the ‘regrets of not doing something’ in their lives. Miriam is played by Donna Jardine. Colin aka Graeme Braidwood, began his tale of regrets, he wanted to travel to Australia. Lydia, played by Maura Judges, had a regret in her life that she wanted to see her daughter and grandchildren in their new home at Canada. As it is expensive, Lydia could not go and meet her daughter and see her new home. Since eight years she is being in touch with her daughter through Facetime. Lucy, a bit tomboyish ex-nurse, had regrets of not punching her annoying neighbours. She wished to do it for her satisfaction and enjoyed of being rowdy. Miriam, inspite of being happily married was not physically satisfied. Jim, James Parsons wanted to do more drugs. Colin also regretted that he could not propose the girl whom he had a crush, as he was scared. Stanley, played by Ron Parker wanted to be active in social media and so Lydia helped him to open an account in the social media. He was enjoying finding his old friends and chatting with them.
Lucy gives Jim a handful of cigarettes full of weed and he happily takes it. However he gets caught by the park warden in the end of this short film. But Lucy gives a tight punch on the Warden’s face and so he fell flat on his face. Stan is seen busy making videos in Instagram. He also hands over some money to Lydia so that she can visit her daughter in Canada. She gets overwhelmed with gratitude for Stanley’s help.
“The Bench” is written and directed by Jon Pegg. It released in August 24 in the year 2022. You just cannot miss any part of this heart touching story. The way each and everyone have acted in this film will make you feel younger. Such a beautiful acting and the dialogues were also very appealing. I mostly liked the part when Colin proposed Miriam, she readily accepted it. The editor Ian Reed had done a great job along with excellent visual effects by Robin Slater.
