June (IV) (2016) User Reviews

Very charming

[Imdbidia · 8/10 · 22 January 2017]

June is the story of an old widow, June, who feels lonely and, out of necessity but quite willingly, decides to become part of the Lyft sharing ride company.

The film is excellent, as you might expect from Oscar winner John Kahrs. The short has great animation, coloring, backgrounds, lighting, and a wonderful landscaping of Chicago. The mood and atmosphere are also very cool. Technically excellent.

June is a film full of interracial people who aren't stereotyped, and June happens to be an Afro-American lady, something that is really refreshing to see in animation, especially in the times we are living.

The most important thing is that the film has a well-rounded main character, and we are able to understand her past and present, how she feels, despite not many words being exchanged in the film. We come to empathize with her willingness to connect with other people, and how sharing her car is more than sharing the car to her and to the people whom she drives around. The story holds together wonderfully and is very positive and heart-warming.

I am not sure whether Lyft asked Kahrs to make the film for them, or he decided to do so on his own volition. I think it makes a favor to both parts, and if the name Lyft wasn't mentioned, the film would be equally good.

While, this animation short film is indeed a product placement commercial. It did lyft my spirits.

[ironhorse_iv · 8/10 · 22 March 2017]

While, it's true that I'm more likely to get a ride from Uber, more than I would with the car sharing ride company, 'Lyft'; I do like this San Francisco company; a little bit more as a customer. Don't get me wrong, the ground level of service, for both companies are excellent for the most part, with most of the drivers, they hired being friendly, community oriented people who most part, drive a car in good working condition; however, there were some occurrences, I went through, where the driver was awful in their jobs, but things like that, were very rare. I just know, at least, most of these people are trying, their best with their jobs; even if it seems like the CEOs of these companies is scamming them for their hard-work money. At least, I know that Lyft CEO isn't putting sexual harassment allegations about him, under the rug and trying to join Donald Trump on his anti-immigration crusade like Uber. So, I might be a little bias, but I will try to evaluation this short film by Academy Award-winning director, John Kahrs, with sound judgment, both by praising what the company does well, but also exposing 'Lyft' flaws. Without spoiling the 7 minute movie inspired by real-life Lyft driver stories, too much, I have to say, I love the story that they were giving the casual audience that might be unaware, what 'Lyft' offers, without being too heavy handed on why they're better than trains, city buses and taxi services. It also really didn't felt like a silly nonsense commercial that had nothing to do with what they were selling or too direct that it comes off, as being annoying and forceful. It gave a touching, warm cozy story about trying new things, through the eyes of the elderly black woman, June Avery (Voiced by Tierre Mayden), whom discovering the car sharing service for the first time, after the recent death of her husband. For the most part, the animation movie delivered in its promise without being too sugar coated or commercialized. There was some truth in the film to what type of challenges that drivers had to deal with, from bad weather to mediocre customers. I resonates with what was going on with the likable characters. The story was very well told. Not only that, but the 1960's flat cutout looking digital 2D animation by artist, Kevin Dart and his crew was incredibly stylish. It was unique. The vibrant colors gave me a warm feeling. I also dig the jazzy soundtrack by Emmy Award-winning composer, Christopher Beck. It was fantastic. Even the song 'Moving' written and performed by former Lyft driver, rapper, Sir the Baptist was pun intend, moving with me. I like how many of his songs, drew inspiration from interactions with his passengers. Most of it, holds together wonderfully and is very positive. It was a great movie worthy for "Lyft Driver Appreciation Day'. However, there is a few things wrong about this movie. First off, it doesn't explain, how Lyft honestly works, that well and how much information is needed to be, approve to drive for Lyft and how long it takes. It may takes up to a month to be approved. Also, that drivers are not employees, but classified as independent contractors, therefore not subject to federal employee guidelines such as federal minimum-wage or health insurance. However, Lyft does offer each driver, a $1 million commercial liability policy for any damage to their car, during shifts, but fuel expenses, car payments, other car insurance and depreciation on your vehicle are not cover, and in many cases may cause you to actually lose money. Nor does the movie, explain the offers, the app gives, such as the different types of Lyft rides, which are Lyft Line, Lyft Plus, and Lyft Premier. Other parts of the app, not well explain by the film is the rating system. It does not state, the reasons why it's there. One thing that disturb me, about this film is how much, they market 'Lyft' as a great way to get connection, with your fellow human being, yet they're planning to begin testing self-driving cars within the next couple of years. That's pretty shady. Despite that, and the continuous protest of taxi companies around the world. I think this short film is a great example of how to do advertisement. Overall: As much as I hate certain commercials on how annoying, they are. This is one, I wouldn't mind, rewatching time after time, again.