High Heist (72 minutes)
High Heist follows the story of two best friends, each at a significant point to make life-changing decisions. One is a jaded wannabe filmmaker who wants to quit his job to pursue his passion, while the other, is an idealistic PhD candidate in literature, trying to balance the demands of grad school with the harsh reality of financial insecurity. With their futures uncertain, the two friends—Alex (Patrick Dunning) and Darren (Jack Shrader)—find themselves at a crossroads. Struggling financially, they entertain a dangerous idea: robbing their drug dealer. This decision sets them on an unexpected journey, exploring the complexities of friendship and the difficult choices that come with chasing their dreams and survival.
The film opens with a dreamy effect created by the lighting and camera focus, which sets a contemplative mood right from the start. The soft lighting captures the emotional weight inside Alex's mind, while Darren, in contrast, is portrayed more rationally later. Their differing paths highlight the complexities of their friendship and the choices they face.
At its core, this is a story of two best friends facing very important decisions. Darren’s decision to abandon his stable career to follow his filmmaking dreams, and Alex’s ambition to pursue higher education, reflect the universal struggle of finding one’s place in the world while navigating personal desires and societal expectations. The juxtaposition of these two characters forms the emotional path of the narrative.
Alex and Darren’s bond, despite their contrasting personalities and ambitions, remains the heart of the film. Their relationship feels real, and their dialogue—both funny and introspective—captures the complexity of friendship during times of crisis. The friendship is at the center of High Heist, and it’s the anchor that drives the characters’ decisions throughout the film.
The drug dealer, unexpectedly, serves as a voice of reason—a mentor figure who challenges their perspectives and their approach to life. As the conscience, he is very crucial as he can get Alex and Darren to examine their decision and the possibilities that they have not tried. It is an interesting turn of events, bringing a deeper meaning to him that is not purely an obstacle – instead, he developed into an agent of change.
One of the film's most striking visual elements is the use of color symbolism, which helps emphasize the tension between the two characters. A pivotal scene takes place in a park, where the two friends are separated by color. One is in a red light while the other is in a circle of blue. This difference in their colors represented more than just their different ideals and decisions, they were able to show that the two can learn from each other’s worlds without completely abandoning their paths. The film tells us that true friendship does not mean being comfortable all the time, it is about learning to live with the uniqueness of each person.
Ultimately, High Heist is a story about more than just a heist that could go wrong; it’s about two friends trying to navigate life’s uncertainties and the complexity of their choices. It’s a film about the tension between ambition and reality, about taking risks and confronting the consequences of those risks, even if it means fracturing something as valuable as a friendship.
By Sara Acero