A Review of ‘Mesopotamia, TX’: The stars don’t quite align in this romantic drama short
Two strangers await a solar eclipse while sharing their perspectives on life.
‘Mesopotamia, TX’: The stars don’t quite align in this romantic drama short
Cast: Nicky Maindiratta, Megan Greener
Critic’s Rating: 2.5 Stars out of 5
Director: Lucy Gamades
Duration: 19 minutes
Genre: Drama, Romance
Language: English
Release: 2025
What’s it about?
Two strangers await a solar eclipse while sharing their perspectives on life.
Review:
Viewers are in for an enigmatic but ultimately unfulfilling drama short. While the occasionally witty dialogue and charming cinematography (as well as the likable characters) hold one’s attention, it is unclear what the film is attempting to convey. However, the subtlety and mystery works to some extent in the film’ favour, opening up the goings-on and conclusion to discussion. This, while exploring the potential magic behind the occurrence of a cosmic event.
A young man (Nicky Maindiratta) trudges up the summit trail of a hill. On reaching his destination, he observes several families have gathered in anticipation of a solar eclipse. Soon, he engages in a friendly conversation with an amiable lady (Megan Greener), who has also come to observe the Moon pass in front of the Sun. The man claims he is awaiting the arrival of his girlfriend for whom he is keeping an eye out. The two begin discussing the significance of the impending cosmic occurrence, with differing points of view.
The pleasant and breezy dialogue between the film’s two leads soon takes a tense and serious turn. Will their conversation dissolve into acrimony or will they find some mystical common ground? Character study and verbal exchange help to fill in for the lack of a storyline. A few revelations abound as we get to learn about each of the characters’ lives, beliefs and intentions. Their personas evolve in the course of conversation, but not in too effective or compelling a manner.
The man is sceptical about the eclipse, wondering why people are passionate about such a happening - as though they belonged to an ancient time. The film’s tone shifts from cynicism to hope as the two protagonists challenge each other’s convictions. Will they see the light, figuratively and literally? And is the Sun the object of their admiration or does the Moon make for a more attractive entity? There is fair amount of philosophising and debating in the film’s limited time span, but is the conclusion worthy of the build up?
Though the film strives for establishing drama, romance and magic realism, it only half succeeds. However, among its saving graces are the camera work and editing, which transposes images upon dialogue and vice-versa. This helps to capture the sumptuous surroundings while keeping the conversation going. Promising writer-director Lucy Gamades has put some amount of thought into her film and the denouement, but it could have been better translated to screen. Nevertheless, there is a certain atmospheric and metaphysical quality to the film that keeps it viewable. Mesopotamia, Texas, isn’t that bad a place to visit – especially with the Sun and the Moon showing the way.
