"gravida fails to explore its subject matter in any great depth, but it undeniably represents a big step forward for its director... I merely feel that he could have penetrated deeper into the underlying causes and nature of his protagonist’s despair... That said, I definitely enjoyed the film (which, incidentally, holds up to repeat viewings), and it contains a number of moments that I like quite a bit." — Andy Horbal, Mirror/Stage

"Lucas McNelly has made a serenely confident short film, with which he shows a real facility as a director. He never tries to dazzle the audience with flashy technique or camera work, preferring his style to be dictated by his material. Despite his obvious budgetary constraints, he’s capable of some lovely low-key touches, like his use of colored lighting in the climactic revelation scene... gravida is small film in the best sense, one that’s exactly the right size for the story it tells. McNelly’s direction is subtle enough not to overwhelm the film, but strong enough to assure us that there’s a firm hand on the wheel." — Paul Clark, Silly Hats Only

"[McNelly] has produced a film of understated elegance and thoughtfulness that allows the viewer to glimpse, ever so briefly, a moment in time that will be burned for eternity in the heart and mind of its protagonist... He's the best kind of filmmaker there is, the kind driven by a love of the art, not a desire for a contract... gravida is not a perfect film but considering the budget and time limitations it is quite an achievement." — Jonathan Lapper, Cinema Styles

"[McNelly] and Shaw effortlessly illustrate the moment when she grasps the temporal fleetingness of this comfortable, familiar sort of pain and longing, which is about to become but a wistful memory. In the end, the movie slips through our fingers, like a memory itself, which is, as it turns out, its most impressionable, poetic quality. gravida marks the first sure steps in what one hopes will be a long and fruitful filmmaking career for its director." — Dennis Cozzalio, Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule (plus an interview)

[1] In addition to being your humble host and narrator, Lucas is a kind and generous soul, according to such impartial sources as his mom.

You can check out gravida at the official web page, where there are all sorts of wonderful things for you to explore and a DVD to buy. You can also visit Lucas McNelly's MySpace page, his IndieFilmPedia page, and his blog, 100 films.

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