Will and Ben Versus Time - Film Review

I’ve been having a great streak recently when it comes to super low budget indie films with a lot of heart and passion. A bunch of films have been coming into my viewing possession lately that have used the fact that they barely have a budget as a way to strengthen the film itself. Placing focus on the things that matter by cutting corners in areas where they can. Films that focus on a great story and compelling characters instead of other things that even the most corporate films seem to get lost in. Will and Ben Versus Time is one of those films.

I should start this review by making one thing clear, that being that this review might be a bit bias in a sense because this film was made by a bunch of my friends and its truly a labour of love. Without spoiling the deep intricacies of the film that you need to experience as you watch, the plot of this film on the surface is the story of two friends who found themselves in a rut and decide to use time travel to fix the mistakes in their lives. The film is best compared to “Buddy Comedies” or “Stoner Comedies” like Bill and Ted or Broad City. The elements that lead to success in those subgenres are alive and kicking in this film. There’s also a level of surrealism where some of the plot and comedy is so out of left field where you just have to laugh. Whether it’s a multiverse plot that works way better than the convoluted one present in the MCU or a full ABBA musical number to end off the first act, this film tries everything and it all somehow comes together in a complete package. As a beginning film in a writer/director filmography, it’s super impressive.

The performances and the character work were stand out. When some of these indie films are made, sometimes things like good acting are sacrificed because the crew just wants to “finish it”, but Will and Ben Versus Time dives deep into the characters present in the world of the film, specifically the two leads. This film has some of the strongest character arcs i’ve seen so far this year. There’s a great energy and chemistry with Ben and Will when it comes to the comedy. There’s also some truly deep and profound elements in both characters as well, specifically the dramatic moments. I really want to see the entire cast do more diverse roles in the future. Everyone in the film has some killer acting chops and have such a bright future ahead of them.

The film also has a super distinct look to it that I found super interesting. There are things that Kielan does with the cinematography and some of the effects that had me compelled and surprised. I was so down for the first 20 minutes while it was following the standard “indie film” style, but once the credit sequence happened, I could tell that I was in for something truly special. The passion exudes though every section of the film and there are moments where the film goes over and above what the bare necessities to tell the scene or the story as a whole in a wildly interesting and entertaining way. In a few years, I could see more people heralding Kielan Ellis as an interesting visual filmmaker.

One element that blew me away in a way that I didn’t expect was the score. The music feels reminiscent of so many classic scores, specifically genre flicks, but also finds a way to feel absolutely unique and perfect to the scene happening with it. I found myself jamming to the score, even after viewing the film. I would take it one step further and note that there were specific scenes that I wanted to go back and watch right after the film ended for various reasons including the way the score blended with the scene.

The future of cinema is something that I’ve found myself pondering from time to time. In a world that focuses on bland checklist films that are only created to fill a void, it’s nice to see films like this. Films that are clearly passion projects that every member of the cast and crew loves being apart of. Movies that take sub-genres and concepts that have been done previously and put a unique personal spin on them. My generation of filmmakers and artists are truly masters of their craft and Kielan Ellis is one of those masters. Films like this get me excited for the future of filmmaking and reassures me that the art form is in good hands.

The Rating