Pentecost (2011)

1 Nomination, 0 Wins

Nomination: Best Short Film, Live Action - Peter McDonald and Eimear O'Kane

For the second consecutive year, Ireland has produced an Academy Award nominated short film about a young boy navigating his way through Catholicism.  Yet there is little else in common between last year's offering, "The Confession," and this year's "Pentecost."  "The Confession" was one of the darkest, most depressing short films I have seen in a long time, while "Pentecost" is a fun, joyful short about a young altar boy who has one shot at redemption after spectacularly ruining the mass service.  Like many young Irish boys, his mind is always on the football pitch, and it is this distraction that is the source of his troubles in church.

The story of "Pentecost" is thin, and it lacks the cleverness of some of its fellow nominees, especially "Time Freak."  Yet it is a sweet story, and the use of "Ode to Joy" as the musical cue is inspired.  "Pentecost" is very forgettable, but I enjoyed it while I watched it.  Though it isn't as memorable as "The Confession," I'd watch "Pentecost" a thousand times before I would watch "The Confession" again.