News/Press - Richard Propes of The Independent Critic reviews Justin Hannah's "Consignment"

Richard Propes of The Independent Critic reviews Justin Hannah's "Consignment"
Posted March 3, 2014

Richard Propes of The Independent Critic posted this incredibly insightful review of Justin Hannah's "Consignment." The Independent Critic features Hollywood and independent film reviews, celebrity interviews, and film festival coverage from Richard Propes. Propes, an award-winning writer and activist, has served on the juries for Fylmz.com, Indiana's Lake County Film Festival, The Indianapolis International Film Festival, and Indy LGBT Film Festival.

Richard Propes of The Independent Critic reviews Consignment by Justin Hannah

"Consignment" a Complex, Emotionally Resonant Short Film

If you watch writer/director Justin Hannah's short film Consignment the first time through and think to yourself "I've got it," then more than likely Hannah has simply drawn you into this dark yet mesmerizingly beautiful story about possession and illusion and longing and, indeed, about the darkest parts of love.

I would dare say that you haven't "got it," but Consignment is such a deceptively simple film that it's easy to believe that having surrendered to its cinematic experience has led to your somehow understanding a film that almost transcends understanding.

Margaret (Abbra Smallwood) is a classically beautiful blonde whom we meet in a consignment shop. This is symbolic, but then again maybe it's not. She looks serene and vulnerable, yet there is a dark aura that surrounds her and music from Robert Casal that makes it almost undeniable that there is much more going on than simply Margaret in a consignment shop.

We have actually met Margaret before, but it takes us a moment to fully realize it. Indeed, much of Consignment seems to be the kind of film where with each subsequent viewing you catch another piece, another sound, another image and another reality. It is not the kind of film that requires repeated viewings, but repeated viewings add to the film's complexity... continue reading >>

"Consignment" is a stylish period drama written and directed by Justin Hannah, starring Abbra Smallwood, Margaret Wuertz, Jake Gilliam and Jessica McGill, with cinematography by Lee Clements and music by Robert Casal.

Described in reviews as "an alluring, multi-layered film experience" and "a beautifully realized, thought provoking short film," the movie has drawn comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch. "Consignment" won awards for Best Cinematography at the 2015 Blaquefyre Independent Film Festival, Best Kentucky Short at the 2014 Autumn Shorts Film Festival, Best Short Film at the 2013 World Independent Film Expo, and Most Original Film at the 2013 Floyd Film Festival.

Justin Hannah's "Consignment" is now available for instant streaming on Hulu and Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vimeo On Demand, and IndieFlix.