So nice to see a short that doesn't just revolve around a witty punch line in the end for a change. It seems that it is rare to actually EXPERIENCE a short film rather than just to watch it. Coyote Beach does exactly that along with breath taking cinematography. . . now that's what a film should look like! Beautiful, sexy, comical, and full of all the (real) ups and downs of a relationship. Sarah Desage is stunning and makes every girl love to hate her while she runs around in that damn bikini throughout the entire film. But the writer/director pulls the weight back nicely when things are exposed that the relationship is not just one sided. Adam Rothenberg's performance is brilliant and hysterical. And we're even blessed with a sneak peak of the handsome talent's naked backside. Need I say more?
9 Reviews
very sexy and sophisticate-a great date "short"
mrhodes6522 February 2005
I saw this film as part of my coverage at the Hamptons Film Fest in 2003. It was the best "short" that I saw there and is a promising beginning for MG-The cast and location are both very attractive and the film has a great "look" to it and manages to be very interesting as it switches from location to location and is also very interesting in how it realistically portrays the power dynamic between the young couple-As I understand it, the film has been shown on a couple of the major cable film channels so hopefully this film will find more and more of an audience as time goes on -Keep an eye on the director, if this film is any indication, he has great promise! MR
Interesting elements in search of a story
planktonrules23 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This was included on the disk "Shorts: Volume 2"--a rather dull collection of short films. Shorts are among my favorite style of films but somehow the people assembling this second collection had a hard time finding quality content--and it wasn't nearly as good as the first volume or other shorts collections.
This short film feels like it's woefully incomplete. There is a story, but so much in unanswered that the viewer, like me, feels a bit left out and unfulfilled.
The film begins with a woman, her boyfriend and her Westie (that's a dog, by the way) going to a lonely beach. The lady speaks with an accent that, at times, is a bit difficult to follow. Given that I am hard of hearing, I sure would have loved if it had been closed captioned. Anyway, the boyfriend goes for a swim while she naps. When she awakens, her dog is gone. She panics and makes the guy follow her all about looking for the dog. They spend most of the time arguing and being disagreeable. Then, out of the blue, they stop to have sex. Later, they find the dog--end of story.
As far as the characters go, both seemed rather dysfunctional and unlikable. She was a fussy and demanding lady and he seemed to have contempt for her. When you wondered why they were together, their little sex break showed what bond kept them together.
Some might like the characterizations--I kept finding the people irritating and unreal--more like caricatures than people you might meet or know. Also, the payoff for all this just isn't worth the wait (unless you want to see the guy naked).
This short film feels like it's woefully incomplete. There is a story, but so much in unanswered that the viewer, like me, feels a bit left out and unfulfilled.
The film begins with a woman, her boyfriend and her Westie (that's a dog, by the way) going to a lonely beach. The lady speaks with an accent that, at times, is a bit difficult to follow. Given that I am hard of hearing, I sure would have loved if it had been closed captioned. Anyway, the boyfriend goes for a swim while she naps. When she awakens, her dog is gone. She panics and makes the guy follow her all about looking for the dog. They spend most of the time arguing and being disagreeable. Then, out of the blue, they stop to have sex. Later, they find the dog--end of story.
As far as the characters go, both seemed rather dysfunctional and unlikable. She was a fussy and demanding lady and he seemed to have contempt for her. When you wondered why they were together, their little sex break showed what bond kept them together.
Some might like the characterizations--I kept finding the people irritating and unreal--more like caricatures than people you might meet or know. Also, the payoff for all this just isn't worth the wait (unless you want to see the guy naked).
Nothing to see here
educatedopinion9 August 2006
I'm not surprised that this film did well at the Hamptons Film Festival. It is a shallow film that would appeal well to shallow people. Two actors pretending to be actors in a relationship who fight and look for a lost dog. The film is allegedly exploring the dynamics of the relationship, however, the relationship is far too petty to merit any such exploration. This couple has one dimension: they fight, they tease, then they make love and fight some more. There brief moment of tenderness does not reveal any possible reason that these two would be involved with each other given their venomous and volatile relationship. Beautifully shot, excellent score, but without anything of merit in the script or characters, this short is just that.
Awesome, sexy and gorgeous!
judybernard17 February 2005
I saw this movie at the Hamptons Film Festival and I loved it! At 20 minutes it was unusually long for a short on the festival circuit, but I am not surprised the film encountered so much success. It had a very strong sense of itself, both aesthetically and dramatically. Gorgeous photography. The director absolutely made the most of the attractive cast and the gorgeous locations on the beach and in the dunes. The performances are great and seem effortless. The power-struggle of the couple is portrayed with great sensitivity and psychological insight. Well worth watching! If you've ever been in a relationship chances are you'll have a big deja-vu! This film is smart and witty, and it's a great sensual, cinematic experience,!
saw it on ifc, great film
n-caro22 February 2005
This is a great short. I happened to see it on the Independent Film Channel, and was really impressed by it. Coyote Beach takes place on sand dunes on a Long Island beach. It depicts a couple, a French woman and her American boyfriend, having relationship troubles that are triggered by the disappearance of a little dog. It is humorous, poignant, sexy, and subtly told. The acting is great. And the cinematography and landscape shots are amazing (something I was also really impressed by considering it was shot on miniDV). Coyote Beach is a poignant and humorous piece, and I highly recommend it. Markus Griesshammer, the director, is definitely someone to keep an eye on.
This is a great short!
jake_glasner4 March 2005
I recently saw this film on a DVD compilation, shorts! volume 2, and it's one great little film. It's much longer than all the other shorts on the compilation, but it totally holds up and it's a pleasure to watch it. It's very accomplished in every aspect, the performances, the the photography, and it's witty and funny. It's also great because the film is so minimal, almost existential, it's just two people at the beach, but the movie holds your attention all along. The characters and their relationship is very believable, I was right there with them. I felt sorry for the guy in the beginning, but he gets his... And God, the girl is so HOT! Catch it if you can.
Visually Beautiful, Expertly Shot, Great Script
jonesy51517 February 2005
I saw this film in Palm Springs and I knew that this director is one to watch. He has a perfect eye for every detail of film-making. This film was shot on Long Island and every frame of it is just amazing. Highly recommended viewing. Also a great script, which the director wrote in collaboration with novelist William Kowalski. I am sure you will be seeing Mr. Griesshammer's name in the near future as director of beautifully made, intelligent films that really mean something. Whether he makes Hollywood blockbusters is another story because we all know Hollywood doesn't necessarily reward artistic virtue. I had the chance to speak with Mr. Griesshammer after the showing and I found him to be charming, gentlemanly in an old-fashioned European kind of way, and with that particular aura around him that only certain people possess that makes you know they are going to make it. (I hope my boyfriend, who was with me at the time, won't mind me mentioning that he is also extremely good-looking.) Markus it was great to meet you, thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement about my own career, and I hope your feature you were telling me about gets made SOON! I can't wait to see it!
Stunning...
aimface-120 February 2005
This short film stunningly shot and acted. Beautifully conjures the sexy lazy days of summer.
Wishing you could be there. Until it wraps you up in the tense realities of how hard relationships can be. Writer/Director Griesshammer fully explores the complexities of the characters' relationship. He does so with with humor and passion and great insight. The cast is excellent.
Able to make you laugh and deeply care for them in such a short time span. I look forward to his next project. This is definitely a director to watch. As well as the cast. Especially Adam Rothenberg.
Wishing you could be there. Until it wraps you up in the tense realities of how hard relationships can be. Writer/Director Griesshammer fully explores the complexities of the characters' relationship. He does so with with humor and passion and great insight. The cast is excellent.
Able to make you laugh and deeply care for them in such a short time span. I look forward to his next project. This is definitely a director to watch. As well as the cast. Especially Adam Rothenberg.
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