Directed by Sophie Dominique Parea, Play Pretend follows two friends as they spend an evening discussing their individual philosophies of love. The conversation is sparked by the fact that Mia is supposed to be going on a date later on. She unveils her unconventional thoughts on dating to Teo, and in doing so proves their friendship to be an incredibly close one. Amongst her ruminations, a theme of wanting to only experience love in fleeting moments emerges in Mia’s views. A somewhat pessimistic ideology revolving around the notion that nothing lasts forever (so why try and pretend it does). A defence mechanism, perhaps, to protect herself from inevitable pain.
Teo has a more traditional view, entertaining the idea that a relationship can make both people better. But while Mia dates for the short lived, fleeting experiences, Teo is holding out for something special. He believes that every relationship changes you fundamentally until you are no longer the person you were.
Throughout their discussion, an undeniable chemistry can be seen between the pair. Mia’s self-reflective ruminations are balanced out by Teo in some moments of humour. This works not only to show the nature of their relationship but also to balance out any accusation of pretentiousness that could be levelled at the film in its more naval gazing moments. The viewer can’t help but picture them together.
Dominique Parea chooses to give us an insight into what their relationship would look like. They “play pretend” just for an evening, but we experience a whole relationship with them. Although it ends as Mia might have predicted it would, there is an immense tenderness that emerges between the pair.
Damian Reyes-Fox as Teo is exquisitely charming. Ana Parvu as Mia is passionately thought-provoking. Together, their on-screen chemistry is simply beautiful. The intimacy between them, even just as friends, is captured with care by cinematographer by Ayush Singh. Utilising mostly close-ups, we feel squashed against something rare and precious. This speaks to an overarching idea in the film; the notion that if you reach out and touch something perfect, it’s like disturbing the surface of a perfectly still lake. The reflections no longer crystal clear and forever changed by the ripples of another presence.
A warm and inviting film that weaves the philosophy of love with indefatigable but gentle fingers. Watch the trailer below!