Long Story Short (2021)

Directed by: Josh Lawson | 90 minutes | comedy, fantasy | Actors: Rafe Spall, Zahra Newman, Ronny Chieng, Dena Kaplan, Noni Hazlehurst, Josh Lawson

In the Australian ‘Long Story Short’ by director Josh Lawton, the lead role is played by Teddy (an endearing Timothy Spall), the type of ‘why do something now that can be done later’. He is harshly confronted with the fact that this eternal procrastination leads to you missing the real moments in your life. Because on the morning after his wedding, Teddy wakes up to a parallel life.

The annoying thing about this is that an entire year flashes by every few minutes. This forces him to fight for his one true love Leanne (Zahra Newman) and his best friend Sam (Ronny Chieng). Teddy eventually learns to see life as a gift. Yolo, you only live once! Don’t put things off until tomorrow, live in the now and enjoy every moment. Taking time for the things that matter is all that matters.

So, forget about that job that takes up all your time. Go do something you – actually – enjoy more, spend more time with your child and/or your best friend and make sure you don’t become alienated from your wife. Understood? Life is too short, so make the most of it.

That is in fact what the charming ‘Long Story Short’ wants to impress upon us. Not a LOL (Laugh Out Loud) movie, but very entertaining and heartwarming. A smile, a little tear and a beautiful message, what more could a person want? ‘Groundhog Day’ in the mix with ‘Click’.

Josh Lawton, who himself appears in a role (Patrick) and also served as a screenwriter, has recast a well-known film element in a pleasant way in its own form. To make a long story short: a nice rom/com. Ninety minutes that remind you once again not to take life for granted. Live life to the max! Do it…