Tonight It's Me (2014)

Overrated and overhyped

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I was sincerely impressed with this short because it delivered on so many levels. First, the characterization of a male hustler in the beginning of the film meets all expectations; CJ comes off as shallow, materialistic and doesn't seem to have any real morals or personal values (especially when it comes to how he treats himself). His initial clients are everything one would expect; mercenarial, repulsive and equally amoral to the point where they don't think twice about the comfort person they are dealing with-- they are just renting a body. Then, on the next "call", we get to see there is another level of humanity to both CJ and the new "client", a transgender. The client appears vulnerable, and also seems to understand the vulnerability of CJ (which ANYONE in this profession must feel, regardless of how hardened they have become). The exchange between them turns out not to be just for sex/money, but it's almost as if the client is giving CJ an additional gift; humanity...recognizing he is a person. The dialogue between the two becomes so stark meaningful and poignant compared to the SAME question that happened with the previous clients, which had no value at all, save for their own mild amusement of making someone answer whatever they ask. Well edited, scripted and above all, ACTED...this is a harsh but meaningful short film.

I saw this film for the first time in January 2015. I think I may have watched it a 1000 times since. I call saying to myself at the time of the first viewing that I hadn't seen anything quite so stylish - in the genre - before - or since. I am an author, and the ability to tell a story in 13 minutes or so on the screen is akin to telling a story on paper in about 5000 words - I would define that as a vignette. I know how incredibly difficult it is to construct a meaningful short story; by which, I mean one that invokes a deep and lasting emotional response. TIM invoked and continues to invoke a deep emotional response - but I also see it as a work of pure art - watch it without the sound on and see what I mean by that. The juxtaposition of strength and fragility is most compelling to observe. Possibly the one key aspect of the film that sets it apart from the rest is timing - the timing of a word, of a gesture or expression is quite sublime.

"Tonight It's Me" is an American short film from 2014, so it's still pretty new and fresh. It runs for 13.5 minutes and was directed by Dominic Haxton, who is also one of several people who wrote the script. It is the story of a hustler and early on we see how he is together with a nasty fat old man, but that's just the introduction. In the main part, he has a "date" with a man who dresses like a woman and also wears his hair as if he was a woman. The two engage in sexual activity quickly. The filmmakers desperately tried to use the dialogues to make this film seem like an artistic or creative achievement, but it felt really try-hard and I was very much disgusted throughout the entire film, mostly because of the protagonist's profession. And are the people who call these hustlers not even worse? Or are they just lonely? Maybe a mix of both. It was obvious that the writers were trying to make the two main characters seem likable to the audiences, but as for me, they completely failed. I found nothing about this one interesting at all. But I found many aspects quite annoying. Highly not recommended.

Wow I gotta say, it seems like CJ wasn't a selfish person after all with having a dirty moneymaking job. You would rarely see a gay guy prostitute falling in love with a transgender person.Believe me, Ash and CJ are such an adorable couple, it would make your heart stop just looking at them on how their love blossomed on day 1! Although I didn't like when they were playing that two truths and a lie game, they should have admitted the facts about themselves. It felt very tense and uncomfortable. The actors probably didn't like acting that scene by the look on their faces!Anyways, I felt regret for CJ that he had to leave Ash, I'm like c'mon they have to spend time together!They are so madly in love, why do they have to be separating from each other? They should definitely go out!