The student film ‘Rolling’ demonstrates how a simple, worldly concept can still be humorous.

The film is about a young man who has a crush on the local supermarket girl. He goes there to ask her on a date, but becomes tongue-tied and says that he is there to buy toilet paper for a charity he supports. The girl is impressed and orders a large amount for him, which he is then stuck with. She goes to his apartment to tell him about his delivery and he won’t let her in (otherwise she’ll see that he was lying). The conversation is awkward as she then leaves.

The simple concept of a boy trying to ask a girl out is something that most people can relate to. The filmmakers succeed in conveying the nerve-racking feeling that people can identify with as the young man blunders and humorously puts himself into a ridiculous situation.

The camera movement in the supermarket works well to show how he is trying to build up his courage to talk to her. It follows him as he walks towards camera and towards the girl – his facial expressions showing just how nervous he is. The harsh, bright lighting in the supermarket provides a feeling of exposure – demonstrating how naked he feels.

While most of the dialogue and delivery by the actors works to show the awkwardness of the situation, there are times when it comes across as being too obvious or not natural enough. When the girl arrives at the boy’s apartment, her part of the conversation doesn’t flow and doesn’t feel natural. This could be because throughout the whole film she has kept an unwavering smile on her face, and doesn’t show any curiosity or change in her facial expression.