Watch Stutterer

Stutterer is a heartwarming and thought-provoking short film directed by Benjamin Cleary and produced by Serena Armitage. It follows the story of Greenwood (Matthew Needham), a lonely typographer who suffers from a debilitating stutter that makes it difficult for him to communicate with others. Greenwood's life is a constant battle between his desire to connect with the world and his fear of being judged and rejected. He spends most of his time at home, working on his typography projects and practicing his speech in front of a mirror.

But everything changes when he meets Ellie (Chloe Pirrie) online, a girl he has been chatting with for months. As their relationship grows stronger, Greenwood must confront his demons and find the courage to take a chance on love, even if it means exposing his vulnerability and facing his worst fears.

The film portrays the inner world of a person with a stutter in a deeply empathetic way, capturing the frustration, anxiety, and isolation that often accompany this speech disorder. Through Greenwood's character, the audience gets a glimpse of the challenges faced by millions of people worldwide who struggle with stuttering.

The performances by Matthew Needham and Chloe Pirrie are exceptional, conveying a range of emotions with subtlety and nuance. Needham, in particular, shines as Greenwood, bringing a rare authenticity to his portrayal of a person with a stutter. His performance is powerful and moving, capturing the pain and beauty of his character's inner world with remarkable accuracy.

The film also touches upon broader themes of social isolation, online communication, and the power of empathy. As Greenwood navigates his relationship with Ellie, he learns that despite their physical distance, they can still connect on a deep level and offer each other unconditional support and understanding.

The cinematography by Michael Paleodimos is exquisite, capturing the beauty of London and the contrast between Greenwood's quiet interior world and the bustling city outside. The music score by Benjamin Cleary and Niall Byrne is also worth mentioning, adding a layer of emotional depth to the film.

Overall, Stutterer is a deeply moving and insightful film that showcases the power of storytelling to inspire empathy and understanding. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love, even in the face of adversity.

Stutterer is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.