Short Film Review: In A Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat (2017)
Creators: Beth David and Esteban Bravo
Release Date: July 2017

Stated on their Kickstarter: ‘We’re a team of two senior Computer Animation majors at Ringling College of Art + Design, and we’re mid-production on our thesis film, “In a Heartbeat!” This film is not only a culmination of our four years of education and hard work at the college, but also an expression of a subject that has not been explored in computer animation. It’s a film that deals with a real and personal topic in a very sweet and lighthearted way and we are so excited to be able to share it with you!’

In A Heartbeat, created by students Beth David and Esteban Bravo, turns its focus on a closeted boy who runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams.

I’ve been waiting a while for this animated short, and I wasn’t disappointed. However, I was still quite surprised by how short the film turned out to be. If I’m honest, I was expecting more than 5 minutes of content. This isn’t a criticism or that indication that I was disappointed by the shorts lengths. For some reason, I was expecting some dialogue as well, but the film needs no script, it’s perfect as it is!

The short film plays to the most beautiful music which sets the tone throughout the whole movie. I found myself swaying to the music at some points. It creates the perfect mood. The music will also evoke as much emotion from you as it can. I dare you not to cry when the heart’s broken in two. I dare you!!

I cried. I cried, even more, the second time around. Some were tears of sadness which ended up turning into sobs of absolute joy! In A Heartbeat will tug at your heart strings and turn even the most bitter of us into balling sobs of mess. The reason you feel so much empathy for our little protagonist is that, well, we’ve all been there. We’ve all, at some point in our lives had our heart broken, and it sucks, and you don’t want it to happen to anyone, even to a fictional character in an animated short.

You can see why the film has received so many accolades! It’s cute, sweet, sad, heartwarming, and you feel and witness all of this in under 5 minutes!! But this film stands out from the crowd. It shows us what love is in its entirety. In other words, no frills, no bullshit. It shows you can’t help who you like, that you will get your heart broken and that your broken heart will mend. Such a sweet message to convey!!

Overall Rating: Watch it!! And then watch it again, and again and again!! It’s a bloody good short with the sweetest story ever, and deserves all the praise it’s receiving!!

Watch In A Heartbeat on here or on Youtube now!