Melanie spends her days kicking around the family home, buying Hostess snowballs from the local mini-mart, visiting the library, and conversing with an eerie mannequin-headed doll named Mor. Over the course of the film, she builds a friendship with local goth outcast Dukkan, who's intrigued by the standoffish girl.
A few minutes in, and I was struck with an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. The basic story is identical to Lucky McKee's 2002 cult hit "May." I don't know if this was by design or total coincidence, but the similarities are undeniable. Where they differ is in the execution. With its bizarro lead character, flashbacks, montages, gore, and sumptuous musical score, "May" was boldly designed to grab people's attention. This one's a little more subdued and accessible to mainstream viewers.
True to its title, "The Melancholy Fantastic,"treats the story like a dramatic character study, relying on the performances to draw viewers in. And it works. Amy Crowdis is charming as the childlike Melanie (it's a shame that she didn't pursue more acting roles), and future-Penguin Robin Lord Taylor brings Dukken to life with a sensitive portrayal. The movie's well-paced (although intentionally slow), well-shot, it hints at the supernatural, and leaves you wanting more.
Although it feels like a remake, I'd certainly recommend this short flick if you like grim oddities.
