Written and directed by Colton Caulfield, a desperate actor’s callback spirals when an embarrassing mishap with the group’s intimidating captain forces them into a secret pact. Starring: Rinzin Thonden, Keegan Garant, Jack Haycox, Victoria Rodriguez, Ryan Gurian, Grayson Rieth and Zachary Chacon.

Trying to create a comedy that has genuine tension but also an enjoyably ridiculous plot is no easy task, so Colton Caulfield set himself quite the challenge with A Tight Squeeze, but he succeeds on all fronts. Starting out it holds such a genuine awkwardness and anxiety, letting Remi’s (Rinzin Thonden) nerves bleed into the tone of the film. Added to the way that it moves, the cinematography from Alexis Erey’s strong use of colour and clarity, and the really great score (also by Caulfield), it creates the perfect foundation to achieve that straight-faced comedy.

The tone in particular is smartly done, if you didn’t know you were headed into a comedy, you might be deceived into thinking this was a dramatic story. The tension is excellent, something that only improves as the plot unfolds. A Tight Squeeze holds such an unusual energy and intensity, it feels decidedly original while also nicely recreating that classic world of improv comedy. It’s a strange mix to say the least, which only makes it more impressive how well it works.

Undoubtedly, another part of why the balance and tone works is down to the quality of the performances. Rinzin Thonden creates a great underdog feel to Remi, as well as a sincerity to effectively sell his nervousness and desperation. Then as the story moves forward, we really see his skills under pressure, cleverly making the most of the situation. Whereas Keegan Garant as Bobby strongly taps into the feel of the improv scene, the energy is right on the money. Quite appropriately for a film surrounding an improv group, the role asks for a lot of specific physicality, which Garant definitely delivers on.

While Garant’s performance brings a lot of the classic comedy elements, it’s the battle of wills between Bobby and Thonden’s Remi that’s the true highlight. The way that it’s filled with a quietly twisted intensity and has an oddball sense of humour while being delivered in such a straight way, is hugely enjoyable to watch and speaks to the excellent quality of both of their performances. The fight beneath the surface that’s mostly expressed through their eye contact is very well done.

A Tight Squeeze manages to combine the chaotic, energetic nature of improv comedy with something delightfully strange, funny, original and clever. It’s one of those concepts that if you said it aloud, it might sound silly or outlandish and yet the way that Colton Caulfield delivers the story is so well thought out and precise, that it is still those things and yet so much more. Layering that ridiculousness with tension and conflict was such a terrific choice to make it pack a punch and get a bigger investment from the audience. The performances are great, it’s well shot, edited (also by Caulfield) and scored, and it’s a good time.

Verdict: ✯✯✯✯½ | 9/10