Matters of Life and Death (2007)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Joseph Mazzello

Writer:

Joseph Mazzello (writer)

Release Date:

2007 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Drama

Plot:

Three siblings struggle to maintain control of their lives after the unexpected death of their parents thrusts them into an uncertain world of adulthood. |

Plot Keywords:

Sibling | Death | Life | Loss Of Parents

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Rachael Leigh Cook	...	Emily Jennings
Joseph Mazzello	...	David Jennings
Nick Heyman	...	Jon
David Strathairn	...	Mr. Jennings
Daniel Gillies	...	Jimmy
Gwen Van Dam	...	Grandma Barbara
Michael Hobert	...	Mike
Alex Martinez	...	Young Jon
Aram Stevens	...	Young David
Wing Armstrong	...	Baseball Umpire
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Melissa Jeanne	...	Student
Spencer Kelly	...	Student
Dani Miura	...	Student

Runtime:

USA:28 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Filming Locations:

Agoura High School - 28545 W. Driver Avenue, Agoura Hills, California, USA

Company:

JJM Productions

Trivia:

Joseph Mazzello put in $20,000 of his own money into the film and raised a further $30,000 from fans.

Quotes:

Jon: How's Emily?
David Jennings: The doctor just called, sounds like she's going to be okay.
Jon: Good.
David Jennings: We're all going to be okay
[pauses]
David Jennings: come on champ let's go celebrate.

Very hard-hitting short drama

This is Joe's most dramatic performance. In his writing, producing and directorial debut, he takes on his parents roles after their tragic deaths on 9/11. With his brother refusing to go to school and his sister ruining off with her worthless boy friend hording their late parents checks for her drug habit. The half hour drama shows the different ways we deal with death, possibly in a shockingly realistic (which most movies fail at) way, such as the 4 or 5 F-words. Mazzello starts out with a seemingly laid-back and quiet demeanor. Then he becomes very strong willed and austere, like when his brother won't get off the couch and go to school and shows disrespect for their father. Mazzello was more intense, strong willed and emotional than I have ever seen.Even at 22 years old when it was filmed last year, Joe still cries hard and convincing in the scence near the end where he replays the conversation on the phone with his parents during the hijack. This is the most hard-hitting drama Mazzello has ever starred in, though it is a short film.