Long Story Short

Long Story Short is a heartwarming Australian romantic comedy movie that delivers a blend of romance, timing, and a time-travel twist. The film centers on main character Teddy who's constantly late and generally takes life at a leisurely pace. He tends to avoid making major decisions and enjoys living in the moment, which leads him to exist on the margins of his own life, an observer rather than an active participant. If there's a choice between taking an easy route today or making an effort for better tomorrow, Teddy regularly chooses the former, much to the frustration of those closest to him.

The plot of Long Story Short comes to life when Teddy marries Leanne, a driven and organized woman who is his complete opposite. During their wedding, an old eccentric man requests to talk to Teddy. He reluctantly obliges and ends up getting cursed by the stranger.

The curse accelerates his life to an unexpected pace. He begins jumping forward in time every few minutes, living a whole year within the span of a moment. He continues to live at a scheduled pace, but instead of watching minutes turn into hours, he instead sees seasons go by, capturing snippets of life on significant occasions such as Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, and anniversaries. And with each jump, Teddy loses a piece of his relationship with Leanne, his friends, and his life.

As events unfold, Teddy learns that he has often neglected the opportunities for connection, love, and enjoyment. He misses out on life's most important moments, trapped in this uncontrollable forward momentum. He starts to understand the value of time and the significance of living in the moment. The film cleverly explores this concept, pushing Teddy to go beyond his comfort zone and take command of his life to try and break the curse.

Long Story Short is not just a romantic comedy, but also a journey of self-discovery and personal growth with a fair share of life lessons. It's witty, funny, and poignant, often offering a unique perspective on how we perceive and value time. Every character in the film plays a role that contributes to Teddy's awakening and transformation throughout the movie.

Josh Lawson, the director and writer of the movie, skillfully crafts the narrative keeping a nice pacing all around. The film's editing has played a critical role in creating such a compelling time travel concept. It smoothly transitions from one seasonal festivity to another without making it look chaotic or confusing. The movie also showcases beautiful locations around Sydney. The city’s picturesque beaches and scenic beauty are beautifully captured and presented, adding another layer of charm to the movie.

Rafe Spall gives an outstanding performance as Teddy. His transformation from a carefree man to someone who learns the hard way about the importance of time is heartwarming and relatable. Throughout the movie, he makes us root for his character, and his chemistry with Zahra Newman, who brilliantly plays the role of Leanne, is commendable. The supporting cast, rounded out by Ronny Chieng and Dena Kaplan, is equally adept, making the characters believable and relatable.

The movie’s music and sound design also play pivotal roles. Two-time ARIA Award-winning musician Megan Washington is responsible for the music. The tracks align perfectly with the passage of time and different stages of Teddy's life, setting the mood and ensuring that the audience travels along the same journey.

Long Story Short is a clever, engaging, and thought-provoking film that leaves audiences reflecting on their own lives and how they spend their time. It's a movie that is worth every minute of your time, and it may even inspire you to make the most of it.