Liquor Bank is a new short film that I had the privilege to recently screen. It is the true story of a military veteran battling his demons and a loyal man trying to save him. The film comes from director Marcellus Cox, and stars Antwone Barnes & Sean Alexander James.

Something about me – I am a BIG supporter of short films. They don’t feel as popular as they should, but they help those worked on the film get through that door. It’s an important aspect of filmmaking that often goes overlooked. I have also helped with a local short films festival over the last few years that take screen films from all over the world. Too be honest, I have been having to cut back on taking requests for review due to my busy schedule. When the executive producer, Adam Freed, personally reached out to me to review the film and told me what it was about, I knew I had to. I’m so happy I accepted, because this was great.

When it comes to short films, you have to get in and get out and make your message clear. It can either be a story told over time, or it can be told through a section of what feels like a larger story. This film chooses the latter. It feels like the film is only a section of larger story, and yet, we get so much out of it. Those are my favorite kinds of shorts. When Antwone Barnes & Sean Alexander James share the screen, cylinders are firing off. There is a dynamic conversation between the two that results in emotion and tension. Without getting into specifics, there’s one scene that I had to watch twice. I couldn’t believe how real it looked.

Any short film has to work through its lead. The film find the perfect choice through Antwone Barnes. Barnes is effective as the leading man that makes me see him in other leading roles. He never overplays the role. His performance is contained enough to the point where it shows how much veterans are trying to control. Then, there is Sean Alexander James, who I believe many viewers will love, because they can see themselves in. No matter what, James’ character won’t give up on Barnes’ character. Seeing what he does to help him will certainly viewers to not give up. More importantly, I can see veterans easily connect with it.

It’s clear writer & director Marcellus Cox has a deep relationship with the story. I, too, worked on a short film several years ago titled Coming Home that you can find on Prime Video. The lead actor, who was also the director, was also a veteran. Where that story that we did felt like one perspective for veterans, this also felt like a new perspective that hasn’t been told before. Telling a story full of emotion can also be tough to get out of your characters. You can tell Cox spent a considerable amount of time with each actor to have them be as realistic as possible.

The only two small aspects I think has the potential to be better is within the sound design and with one particular shot. When James’ character goes to check in on Barnes’ character, he talks through the door before opening it up. It did sound like Barnes’ voice sounded dream-like, like Barnes’ character was hearing him in his head. Also, the scene with the knife felt very sudden and rushed. I would have like to have seen more built up to it to show Barnes’ mindset.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Liquor Bank. I can see viewers, especially veterans, strongly connecting with it. I hope they will get the idea that there is help, no matter how hard it might be to get that help. The film also shows another perspective of not giving up on veterans that I found deeply impactful. The performances are great under its strong direction and script. I hope to see this breaking through in festivals going forward!

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)