Mikes Film Talk

Our retro review today is Miss Freelance (2019): A young woman named Carly hires out to strangers in New York City. Matthew Kyle Levine created this tale as writer and brought it to the screen as director. It follows the daily grind of Carly (Maddy Murphy) who fulfills the “dreams” of men in the city.

synopsis

Carly rents herself out. We are privy to her daily life and her interactions with various clients. The young woman clearly has issues with the source of her revenue. When she is not working, she listens to radio comedies. (Or is watching old television shows, it is not clear which one plays while we study her restful moments.)

Discussion

Carly’s life is one of deceit. She pretends to be different things to each client. She appears to be struggling with her occupation. The comedies she listens to or is watching, seem to be a sort of therapy.

Each “appointment” is different. We may not be privy to all her clients, but there are enough to make her entire life seem unreal. At one point she is confronted by her boyfriend. (Lover, partner, et al) played by Timothy J. Cox. By this time we are not sure if he actually is a real-life relationship or another client.

Carly is a complex character who appears to be uncomfortable with her choice of career.

behind the scenes

Levine has performed the unenviable task of being a good “all-rounder.” As well as writing and directing, he also worked as cinematographer and editor. Alex Scarlatos shared the duties on both the latter. Cox, as usual, exceeds himself and kudos to Zach Abraham as Randy. #nosmallparts

Horse of a different colour

It would be easy to dismiss Miss Freelance as being all about hookers, or call girls. Sex, however, plays a very small part in this short story. Carly is indeed a horse of a different colour. She takes on the mantle of whatever fantasy/need that her clientele require. While the toll it takes is not good, she is soldiering on regardless. At the end of this just over 19 minute tale, we are left wondering what she will do next.

Suffice to say, Murphy knocks this one out of the proverbial park as Carly.

Trailer

Check out the trailer. The film itself is about a touchy subject for some and a reality that most refuse to acknowledge. There is no nudity, no full frontal’s here. The language is just under PG-13 and there is no violence. This one that makes you think. I have watched it repeatedly and it loses nothing.