would have been a worthy Oscar-winner

This is a terrific short - takes a relatively slight situation and turns it into something very powerful without ever compromising a commitment to understatement and subtlety. The lead boy is a real discovery, but to single him out is to distract from the precision and perfection of this film in all its aspects. It's rare to see such a well judged piece of short cinema, and one that achieves so much impact in its short running time.