Marcellus Cox, writer and director of Mickey Hardaway, returns with his latest film – Liquor Bank. Far from shying away from difficult conversations, Liquor Bank is, in itself, a difficult conversation between an alcoholic veteran and his close friend. When Eddie (Antwone Barnes) loses his job and doesn’t show up for the celebration of his 1 year of sobriety, Baker (Sean Alexander James) worries the young man is heading back down old paths. He visits Eddie’s apartment, finding him cooped up in the darkness in a worrying mental state. Baker is then faced with the challenge of helping someone who doesn’t want to be helped. Or, more accurately, feels they are beyond help.
Cox dives unwaveringly into the soul of the story to draw out the darker, more complex themes. His reticence to gloss over or skirt around the difficulty of helping someone who believes they are a lost cause brings a deeper level of realism to the film. The fact the action of the film takes place over the course of a single conversation means nothing is edited, censored, or omitted. We get a snapshot in time of both Eddie and Baker. While this is limiting in the sense we don’t know the full extent of their relationship, nor the events that led them to this conversation, there is enough context provided to understand the present events. This is cleverly delivered by Barnes and James through the deft scriptwriting of Marcellus Cox. We glean the context of Eddie’s depression, the pathway of his pain towards suicidal ideation and how this manifests in erratic and potentially violent ways.
Baker is a stoic friend. He’s caring but also provides the firm hand necessary to have a lasting effect. Sean Alexander James embodies this role perfectly. He gives the character a sense of depth; an illusion of past and the events that have led them both to this point. This impressive characterisation gives the overall story much more weight and meaning. Antwone Barnes is equally as captivating, presenting pain, hurt and anger in tumultuous, interwoven strands.
As their heated discussion comes to a head, Baker reminds Eddie that his nihilism and recklessness have had an impact on others’ lives, and will continue to do so. Ultimately, the decision is Eddie’s to make. Only he can decide what path is worth taking, and the paths worth taking aren’t always the easiest ones to tread.
Liquor Bank is a brilliantly executed short film captured with visual sensitivity and an awareness of how light can impact the mood of shots. The narrative is carried by two skilled actors who are able to build on the solid foundations crafted by writer and director Marcellus Cox. The result is a polished and poignant finished product with a rawness that will strike a chord with many viewers.
Another impactful instalment from a talented filmmaker.