See Me (2011) User Reviews

See Me

[wolfmeyler · 8/10 · 20 May 2012]

I found this to be quite a quirky short film, with high tension and interesting ideas. The acting of the three sixteen year old girls wasn't the best, but still represented a realistic idea of today's youth. The teacher played the part well, although towards the end faltered slightly, in that her acting became less convincing after the climax of drama. The themes explored were deep, and definitely warrant an analysis and another few run-through of the film. The plot is topical, and the actions of the characters questionable, especially towards the end, and this film succeeds in engaging the mind enough to want to know what could happen next.

No need to be seen really

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 1 March 2019]

"See Me" is a British live action short film from 2011, so almost a decade old, maybe over depending on when you read this review. The writer and director is Catherine Shepherd and she is otherwise a prolific actress whith some solid credits in her resumee, so this is her only filmmaking credits. But she is of course not the star here. That would be Olivia Colman, the actress playing the teacher and she won an Oscar not too long ago. Here she has to deal with three of her students, two of them bratty annoying girls, the third a calm and reserved, rather shy student. Even if they all have different ethnicities, they are all British. I thought this short started well. Not too much happened, but it felt authentic and realistic and I did not have the impression to watch a quartet of actresses, but actual student and teacher. This changed eventually when the film takes an unexpected turn that is about one of the students having an affair with the teacher's man. Okay, I would not really blame the actresses there honestly. I was mostly struggling with the script to be honest. The plot idea and what happened is really absurd to make it work in a convincing way and the revelation in detail and the path the teacher chose did not help things at all, but made it even weaker. Quite a disappointment as not only Colman is solid here, but Wu also holds her own against her pretty well and it shows that she was also in some famous films. The other two may not have been, but they were fine too, especially the white one. All in all, I think the general idea and precise elaboration killed this film for me. Quite a shame. They sure had the cast to make this better and from what I say here, I cannot say I am disappointed at all that Shepherd never made another film after this one. Acting may be her stronger suite. Don't watch. Without Colman on board, this would have been completely forgotten, but not even she can make it work. Watch something else instead.

Interesting for one reason...

[Sofalofa · 4/10 · 17 November 2011]

Short film, interesting for one reason only in my book...

Olivia Colman plays "Miss", a teacher taking 3 stereotypical teen girls for detention. 2 are typical "Little Britain" Vicky Pollard types, the other a swatty shy girl. Bad dialog and pretty bad acting from 2 of the 3.

However, it turns out "Miss", who has been checking her mobile and looking fed up for the first few minutes, fears one of the girls has been having an affair with her husband. A pretty over dramatic dialogue ensues between Coleman and one of the students. The Vicky Pollards look on and make quips. They should have gone earlier as they interrupt what could have been a good scene between Sophie Wu and Colman.

Doesn't matter. What this almost forgettable short film shows is that Olivia Colman is a VERY good acress. Have only ever seen her do comedy before but she is mesmerizing in this 15 minute short, despite the dodgy script and acting from 2 of the young girls.

Seems she is getting good reviews for Tyrannosaur. Have seen the trailer. Will go and see the film based on her performance here.

Nice idea, some good moments, spoiled by 2 actresses (possibly not their fault) spouting rubbish lines. Sophie Wu was very good too...