The short captures you from scene one with its frenetic pace and sharp jazzy soundtrack. Fitzgerald does not waste a second of the under-twenty-minute runtime, magnifying tension at every turn but never sacrificing the constant “cool factor” on display throughout. Like the soundtrack and shot placement, the film weaves through genres, giving thrilling, suspenseful, funny, offbeat, and dramatic looks all during the holidays. Ironside does a phenomenal job as a problematic but keen police officer, subtly questioning the family as Paul sleeps upstairs like a timebomb waiting to blow the entire plan to pieces. The actor is strong in the role. In fact, all the performances through The Family Circus serve the distinct style of this genre-mixing short film. For under twenty minutes, The Family Circus accomplishes a lot. It’s exciting, evocative, and yet quirky all the same. Some of the more subtle moments take a few views to catch, but they do little to detract from the overall narrative of this comedy thriller. Or is it a nail-biting Christmas movie? Maybe it’s a quirky family drama? Either way, Fitzgerald subverts expectations well. The performers make eating pie at the dinner table the most suspenseful way to get laughs. And above all, the film makes you want to watch more shorts or make one of your own; it’s just that cool. The Family Circus screened at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and the 2023 Palm Springs ShortFest.
