A Friend of Dorothy (2025)

-Written by John Cajio.

2025 HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! 

Let me establish one thing immediately: it would be a foolish choice to pass on the opportunity to watch this masterful short film, A Friend of Dorothy, from Writer-Director Lee Knight in his debut in both roles.

When JJ (Alistair Nwachukwu), a teenaged boy, accidentally kicks a football into a stranger’s backyard, little do either of them know of the kind friendship the two will share. The stranger, Dorothy (Miriam Margolyes), is an elderly woman who largely lives alone except for the occasional visit from her domineering, self-serving grandson (Oscar Lloyd). Dorothy’s massive collection of plays and JJ’s love of acting and the theatre establish a strong kinship in their first unexpected meeting. 

The casting is top notch. Did I mention that, in addition to the great Margolyes, Stephen Fry bookends the film as Dorothy’s lawyer, Dickie? No? Well, he’s in there, too. You already know you are in for a treat when you have those two in a project. Nwachukwu holds his own quite admirably, too, with a subtle performance. And Lloyd’s performance as Dorothy’s grandson, Scott, reminds me heavily of Jack Gleeson’s performance as Joffrey Baratheon on Game of Thrones: the kind you love to hate because it’s done so well. 

The writing is terrific. The dialogue is realistic, which lends to natural performances. Plots are resolved neatly and realistically. 

If there is a complaint—and it’s a minor complaint at that—is that it hits you with too many easter eggs that underpin the LGBTQ+ thematic material too rapidly. As a result, instead of deftly threading this core thematic material throughout A Friend of Dorothy in a way that is both subtle and masterful, it quickly starts to bludgeon the viewer over the head in ways that are anything but deft, subtle, or masterful. If one survives that bludgeoning, the rest of the film is a real treat. 

In both his writing and directorial debuts, Knight creates a stunning masterpiece in twenty one minutes. Outstanding writing, terrific acting, and competent directing make A Friend of Dorothy a film worth watching if one has the opportunity. A Friend of Dorothy definitely does not suck.

Written & Directed by Lee Knight.

Starring Miriam Margolyes, Alistair Nwachukwu, Stephen Fry, Oscar Lloyd, etc.

9.5/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW (IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT SUCK)