Review of 'The Test': You’re never too old to reach out

The Test: You’re never too old to reach out

Cast: Eric Frimpong, Jill Miller, Carl Miller, Judith Hansen, Mary Dansowa, Melvin Amadu Kamara, Robert Perotti

Critic’s Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5

Directors: Laura Water Hinson, Claudia Myers

Duration: 15 minutes

Genre: Documentary, Short

Language: English

Release Date: 2023

What’s it about?

A working-class Ghanaian man receives unexpected help while trying to become a U.S. citizen.

Review:

There are millions of hardworking foreigners who aspire to become U.S. citizens every year. Meanwhile, there are multitudes of aging Americans who are hoping to feel relevant again. This interesting little documentary examines the possibilities of bringing these two groups together. It is an arduous process and indeed a “Test” to see if they can realise their respective dreams. This curious and inspiring symbiotic relationship is told simply, yet engagingly.

The Test introduces us to a man from Ghana, who works as a maintenance technician at the American senior citizens home - Goodwin House. In this retirement community at Alexandria, Virginia, Eric Frimpong diligently goes about his busy day with tasks that include everything from fixing faucets to cleaning the premises. As we get acquainted with Eric, we learn that ugly circumstances in his native country forced him to leave the place several years earlier, as well as his wife and children. 

While still in telephonic communication with his kin, he hasn’t been in physical contact with them for too long and craves for a reunion. At the same time, Eric realises that he is in a make-or-break situation in the U.S. Hope enters his life in the form of an elderly couple – Jill and Carl Miller. The geriatric Jill, who feels thrust aside in her old age, yearns for human connection. The gregarious, helpful and enterprising Eric fits the bill. Meanwhile, apart from putting in the long hours at Goodwin, he has to undertake a special type of test to establish his residency in Uncle Sam's land. Does Jill have it in her to help?

Directors Laura Water Hinson and Claudia Myers do a pretty commendable job at conveying this human story of compassion and reciprocity. However, bound by the limitations of the short film format, they are unable to flesh out their characters' histories or pursue more such stories. Also, general statistics about immigrantion applicants is lacking. Still, this accomplished duo that have several other documentaries under their belt, know how to tell a relevant story. Here is a film that shows how people can try and solve their predicaments together, while being put to - The Test.