Short Film Review: ‘We’re Not Done Yet’ – The Never-ending bond of a Mother and Her Son.

The mother and son bond is a unique and endlessly intriguing dynamic. This simple yet brilliant short film ‘We’re Not Done Yet‘ explores this dynamic in a way that is sure to resonate deeply for many.

Directed by Sofia Camargo and Joseph Longo, this 22-minute story offers a heartwarming and poignant look into a weekend visit that unearths old tensions and new discoveries between Alex and his mother, Bettina. The film subtly reminds us of our own mothers and the layered relationships we hold with them, often a mixture of love, frustration, and self-discovery.

In the film, Alex (played by Joseph Longo) is visiting his mother at her beach house over the weekend. An awkward encounter with some neighbours forces him to confront his controlling tendencies. But he must also deal with the surprise of finding out about his mother’s adoption application and her new romantic relationship.

Joseph Longo, who not only co-directs but also writes this story, brings some authenticity and vulnerability to his portrayal of Alex. He delivers convincingly well the character of a young man who clearly loves his mother but still struggles with how to deal with her and handle her ways.

You can see where Alex gets his controlling tendencies from as well. Clearly, these traits are taken from his mother who also appears to also want to be in control of everything in her life.

Their seemingly quiet weekend takes a surprising turn when Alex stumbles on Bettina’s adoption application after an altercation with the neighbours which involved Bettina wanting to hold the couple’s new baby.

Alex is caught between love and frustration as he is both challenged by and deeply invested in his mother’s choices.

Barbara Sukowa is equally impressive as Bettina. She portrays a mother who, though slightly overbearing, is refreshingly independent and optimistic. Bettina’s character embodies a zest for life that remains undiminished even in her later years. Her desire for new connections with a new baby, a new lover and also new possibilities indicates her belief that life must go on regardless.

A heated confrontation in the car between Bettina and Alex over her desire to adopt a baby pushes them both to the limit as their bond and frustrations are tested.

Cinematographer Mélanie Akoka captures the quaint charm of the beachside setting with warm, pleasant visuals that enhance the film’s simplicity. The colour choices are subtle but intentional adding to the aesthetic qualities of the film while allowing you to focus on the story itself and the themes it attempts to explore.

While ‘We’re Not Done Yet‘ feels like a complete film story with how it ends. There is this sense of untapped potential that lingers on long after the film ends. The story feels almost like a sketch of a larger, deeper narrative, like an unfinished painting on canvas where there’s room to explore more shades and dimensions. If this short is meant to serve as a proof of concept, it certainly delivers on its promise, with a premise that is more than worthy of feature-length treatment.

Yet, the film succeeds in its compact runtime by reminding us that we all face similar tensions in our relationships, especially with our parents. Alex’s weekend journey is as much about learning to embrace his mother’s independence as it is about Bettina realizing that her son has grown into his own person. The film’s themes of self-confrontation and relational dynamics are universally relatable, striking a chord with anyone who has struggled to find the balance between dependency and self-independence.

‘We’re Not Done Yet‘ ultimately offers a lighthearted yet insightful message about embracing life’s changes, letting go of control, and learning to live fully. It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter our age, there’s always room to grow, to connect, and to appreciate the people we love even when they test us.

I will score this film 4 out of 5 stars.