A Taika Waititi Short
Two Cars, One Night
New Zealander Taika Waititi is a Marvel Avengers series director, and he directed the Oscar-nominated film Jojo Rabbit (2019). In 2003, he also directed a short film, Two Cars, One Night, where two boys talk with a young woman they meet in a parking lot. Waititi’s technique is a minimalistic style with balanced shots and a neo-noir aesthetic. There is a lot of tone-setting in the short with Waititi’s writing, acting, and directing. This film is simple, but the writing is solid, and it is filled with humor.
Waititi specializes in comedy. A lot of his films have humorous undertones, making them appealing to audiences. As the two boys in this film, his characters are intelligent. They can talk to girls and read advanced literature. The shots are meticulously constructed to showcase the world for the viewers. In Two Cars, One Night, the nastiness of one of the boys makes the viewer hate him at first, then fall in love with him when he brings the girl out of her shell. The tension and pace of this film are masterfully constructed, showing off Waititi’s budding talent. He works well with young talent.
Take time to admire the look of this film. It is reminiscent of David Lynch films. Mysterious pans capture the environment well. The performances take the audience inside the piece, collecting moments in the movie, which are unique because they step in their shoes. We all remember being children and having our early relationships with siblings and friends. Waititi brings these events to life.
