Directed by Emelie Claxton and Molly Rangel, and written by leading actress Ashley Gianni, congratulations on finally coming out. Equal parts orientation, indoctrination, and camp, this 90s corporate training video onboards “late-in-lifers” with everything you didn’t know you needed to survive modern-day lesbianism.
What Emelie Claxton and Molly Rangel, and Ashley Gianni have put together with The Late in Life Guide to Modern Day Lesbianism is such a really solid, simple concept and they execute it excellently. It’s a very familiar sense of humour and it plays things delightfully on the nose. Gianni’s writing will strike chords with lesbians of all kinds, not just the late in life ones, as well as the wider queer audience, and basically anyone who has spent any time with lesbians. It’s straightforward comedy, and it’s lovely to see that ability to be able to poke fun at something, without making fun of it, partially because its observations are also not wrong.
Choosing that 1990s setting was perfect as the generation it’s revolving around will be hit with lots of nostalgia. The training video style works perfectly, it moves well, and the comedy is consistent. The design brings through a lot of nice touches, and some catchy phrases. It’s colourful and very indie-budget friendly, there’s great choices to really maximise the concept without also upping the cost.
Ashley Gianni’s performance is as satisfying as her writing. Her character almost feels like a shopping channel persona, she’s almost trying to sell the audience on lesbianism, although it’s unlikely anyone watching the short wouldn’t already be a willing customer or ally. She brings a big personality, it’s filled with an educational tone, a lot of positivity and just a smidge of sarcasm, which is well done.
The Late in Life Guide to Modern Day Lesbianism is a fun reflection on common lesbian stereotypes. Particularly when it comes to the experience of discovering your sexuality later on and finally being able to see how obvious it was to everyone else, with the classic childhood baggy clothes and short haircuts. It’s a great concept that’s very well executed, it’s funny, consistent and well led by Ashley Gianni, the only thing that’s potentially missing? Maybe a few carabiners to truly lock down the lesbian clichés.
FilmCarnage.com 