The Hicks Happy Hour
Synopsis
Taping has just begun for another episode of the 1972 TV variety show “The Hicks Happy Hour,” starring the Hicks Family Band. But this isn’t just any episode—it’s the season finale, and father Richard is missing. This leaves mother Jill and kids Susan, Val and Davey alone to keep the happy family image going. Running between on and offstage, Jill does everything she can to fill in the gaps Richard has left in the band, and hide the extent to which their marriage is falling apart. Meanwhile, the kids have more and more questions, and one loose tooth. As the show goes on, Jill must confront the truth of her life, and decide – will she prioritize the family band, or the actual family?
The review: The Happy Hour
What makes The Hicks Happy Hour stand out is its use of the variety show setting. The colorful, bright, and over-the-top visuals of the TV studio sharply contrast with the raw emotional undercurrents beneath the surface. The film uses this dynamic to emphasize the distance between what the family shows the world and the struggles they face behind closed doors.
At just the right length, the short film delivers a bittersweet, insightful look at family, performance, and the personal cost of maintaining an image. By the end, the film doesn’t offer easy answers, but instead leaves the audience contemplating the sacrifices we make for the sake of others—and whether it’s worth it.
This is a wonderfully crafted short film for anyone who appreciates emotional depth and character-driven storytelling. It’s a quiet, but powerful reminder that sometimes the most important family moments happen when the cameras stop rolling.
Review: Baby Tooth (Short Film)
Baby Tooth delivers a unique blend of dark humor and suspense, leaving a lasting impression. A must-watch for fans of character-driven, offbeat storytelling.
Baby Tooth is a darkly comedic short set in a rural Oregon parking lot, where tension builds quickly between Marina and a local man answering her peculiar ad. She’s offering two things: her grandfather’s antique speedboat and a stubborn baby tooth, both seemingly trivial but loaded with strange significance.
What begins as a quirky exchange soon spirals into something far darker, as Marina’s calm demeanor contrasts with the man’s increasingly erratic behavior. The film skillfully balances absurdity and menace, using its sparse setting to create a claustrophobic, almost surreal atmosphere. Marina’s baby tooth acts as both a literal and metaphorical anchor to her past, while the local man’s intentions slowly reveal a deeper desperation.
Tight pacing and a minimalist approach to cinematography elevate the mounting tension, making each moment feel loaded. Baby Tooth is a perfect example of how a simple, oddball premise can unfold into a compelling and unsettling exploration of human desires, absurdity, and the things we cling to.
