Love is one of the most powerful feelings in the universe. Yet, it is also one of the most hurtful. Likewise, breaking up is hard to do whether you’re on the receiving end or not. If infidelity is the reason for the breakup, it makes the pain even more potent. Two couples meet in a parking lot to settle the score in director Jennifer Marie Morgan’s short film, Red Wine and Rain.
Two couples meet face to face. On one side, there is James (Vincent Eclavea Jr.) and Kathy (Nina Gosiengfiao). Sophia (EII) and Danny (Koji Niiya) are on the other side. James cheated on Sophia for Kathy, her best friend. At the same time, in doing so, Kathy cheated on Danny. The exchange begins as a firestorm, with Sophia angrily swinging for the fences toward her boyfriend and best friend. Danny, on the other hand, uses his sadness to confront Kathy. Despite the pain both parties are feeling, they have trouble letting go of what was their love.
Kathy and Danny recount a romantic evening at Mount Wilson, where Danny made dinner and had red wine. Meanwhile, Sophia and James recall a rainy evening going to the movies. Sophia remembers it as the first time she felt safe. In this exchange, she feels the most hurt from losing her boyfriend and best friend since third grade. Thus, the four ask themselves if they can hold on and let go simultaneously.
“Two couples meet in a parking lot to settle the score…”
Led by a cast of Asian-Pacific Americans, Red Wine and Rain is a beautiful short film with much to say in its 17-minute runtime. The actors all do a terrific job of portraying pain and love. As played by EII, Sophia shows the strongest emotions given her situation. EII is excellent in the role. The cast also benefits from the screenplay by Alexis Camins, whose dialogue is real and raw. Jennifer Marie Morgan’s direction is also strong in how the blocking of the camera and actors are handled in this single location.
If I had one criticism of Red Wine and Rain, it would be that perhaps it doesn’t answer all the questions it poses. This leaves the ending maybe a little too open-ended. That said, it does not derail the film. If anything, you want to know more.
Red Wine and Rain does a terrific job of showing the contrast between love and pain. On the one hand, love can be like red wine: sweet and delicate. But, on the other hand, pain can be like rain: heavy and stormy.
