The Candidate (2010)
IMDb meta-data is a runtime of 19 minutes, rated 7.8 by 868 cinematizens.
Genre: Sy fy
Verdict: Corker.
The greasy pole of sales representatives in the corporate world looks just that: greasy. Protagonist is slick, sleek, smug, and sure, but he is saddled with a bumbling, inept, ill-kempt Partner who holds him back. Partner is always late, cannot find the right room, PowerPoint remains a mystery to him, slovenly, confused, and a dead weight.
But the greater mystery which silently infuriates Protagonist is that Partner is well thought of in the firm despite his obvious ineptitude. There is no justice in this world! (Hands up everyone who has thought that sometime!)
All the while, Protagonist gets a string of texts, emails, letters, calls from Nobody who wants an appointment. Protagonist has no time for appointments with nobodies and rejects these requests, until one day Nobody walks into his office and makes his pitch. As a salesman himself, Protagonist is amused by this persistent, if diffident, approach of Nobody and condescends to spare him five-minutes.
Nobody then explains the procedure by which a person can be willed to death! He has answers for all of Protagonist’s objections, what-ifs, and questions. All that is required a one-time fee of $50.
SPOILER coming.
Thinking of bumbling Partner, Protagonist has nothing to lose but a measly $50 and says he will join up. After all $50 is small change for him.
But no, he has misunderstood the pitch…., Nobody explains.
Protagonist is the intended victim whose death is now willed and will occur. This was but a courtesy call so that he can get his affairs in order. ‘Good afternoon,’ Nobody says, as he takes his leave.
In the last minutes Protagonist sees his world in a new light, and the sight transformations of the loyal receptionist, Partner, and others is sharp but subtle. Deft film-making indeed.
It is a gem with plenty of the commotion of a big firm in the background, and Robert Picardo (aka Dr Hologram) as Nobody is perfect. While in the cast there is also a princess royal answering the telephone in the outer office. (Figure it out.) Protagonist is reptilian and memorable for it.
I came across it on DUST and I wanted to write it up so as to remember it. Move over O’Henry.