From Omeleto.
An actor struggles.
BIG GEORGE is used with permission from Jamie Effros. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/biggeorgefilm.
Hank is a middle-aged man, a father and an actor. He has made a living like any jobbing actor, booking roles and carving out a niche for himself as a George Clooney impersonator.
But since the pandemic, he’s gained weight and that stream of gigs is drying up, and his auditions for other roles are often "close, but no cigar." Now Hank is questioning everything, experiencing doubts from himself and others about his dreams of success and wondering what keeps him going.
Directed and written by Jamie Effros, this quietly resonant short dramedy uses the tumult, absurdity and uncertainty of show business to explore themes of identity, self-worth and personal dreams. Hank is an actor, but the film is situated in the less glamorous, more workaday register of the business, where the actors that populate the character roles or background of a show or film work, balancing family obligations, homes and other aspects of life at the same time. They’re simply trying to earn a living like any other working- or middle-class worker, but when Hank hits a rough patch when his gigs as a George Clooney impersonator dry up, he wonders whether or not pursuing his dream is turning into a quixotic endeavor.
The storytelling is self-aware, humane and insightful, constructing a lighthearted character study with a comedic premise. As an aging performer, Hank often navigates insecurities, surreal audition requests and the daily grind of trying to work out what his casting agents and directors want from him. The writing finds wry wit and humor in the peccadilloes of the business, but it also stays true to Hank’s increasingly doubtful emotions, especially as he navigates conflicts between his work and his parenting. His dilemma is tough: he’s too seasoned for some roles but he doesn’t want to abandon the art and craft he’s practiced for so long, and he must justify not only his choice of career to his nine-year-old daughter but also his own stubborn optimism.
As Hank, actor Jake Hart really does bear a resemblance to George Clooney, and he also has an inviting warmth and openness as a performer that makes Hank immensely sympathetic to watch. He bears setbacks with good nature and humor, but we can also see it beginning to wear him down a little. But as he struggles, he must summon the reason why he continues to pursue his career and, more importantly, reconnect with it.
Empathetic, gentle in temperament and warm-hearted, BIG GEORGE is a grounded film. In look and feel, it has an elegantly down-to-earth naturalism and an even pacing that balances the comedy of Hank’s milieu with his growing introspection. And in its themes, it finds resonance and dignity in reminding us that it’s the pursuit of happiness — not the achievement of it — that often brings meaning and enjoyment to our lives. Even if we don’t quite reach our goals, cherishing and nurturing our dreams still offers growth, engagement and challenge — if only we untangle our egos from the results and remember the love that such dreams sprang from. Ultimately, it’s a thoughtful, heartfelt and affirming short that celebrates the resilience of dreamers, reflecting on how we stay true to ourselves and our most cherished aspects in an ever-changing world.
