Dr. Hugo

Starring: Vondie Curtis-Hall, Michael Beach, Victoria Rowell, Stacye P. Branch, Sonya Hensley
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Short, Drama
Length: 19 minutes
1996

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A doctor (Vondie Curtis-Hall) known for making house calls connects with a lonely wife (Victoria Rowell) in her home.

Review:

Tim: Kasi Lemmons' directorial debut is a solid short film. The budding filmmaker combined elements of life in the south with a distinct voice to tell a tightly structured story that offers a few surprises and a memorable conclusion. In short, I enjoyed the story Lemmons tells in Dr. Hugo, an entertaining short film.

Lemmons would expand on the ideas here the following year with her feature debut, Eve's Bayou. It was fun watching this earlier film after seeing the longer one. You can certainly see many parallels between the two stories, not just subject matter and characters, but Lemmons' voice as a director.

The story itself is interesting. We're introduced to Dr. Hugo, a charismatic, intelligent doctor who is good at his job, kind to his patients, works well with kids, and harbors a secret as well. Vondie Curtis-Hall is excellent in the lead role, as he embodies all the qualities Hugo the character needed to have. He's likable and you immediately feel a connection with him on screen. We're pulled into this story and it feels intimate. Lemmons' short film puts you right in the middle of the story- you never feel a disconnect, instead it's like you're right there with these characters. I was impressed by her ability to generate that feeling throughout her short film.

As the movie progresses, you kind of suspect where it's going. There are definitely moments of tension and suspense, and then the story hits you with something you didn't see coming. I really appreciated the subtly wild ride this film takes you on. I thought about the conclusion long after finishing the film.

I have to say, I enjoyed Dr. Hugo. It's a well made short film and it speaks to Lemmons' talent. This short film is a worthwhile companion to Eve's Bayou. This short with that feature make for an impressive debut for a talented filmmaker.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: N/A



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Eve's Bayou