Elite Short Stories: Patrick review: An intense and intriguing family drama packed in a snackable format

4/5

Story:

Patrick's trip to a cabin in the woods during Christmas for some self-discovery does not go as planned. But he does realise a lot about himself and his family

Review:

Elite Short Stories: Patrick has a lot going on. It deals with a teenager's drug addiction, the tragic death of a mother, a sister who seems to have been abused by her partner, a strict and arrogant father, and another sister, suffering from depression. The subjects seem a lot to handle in a film itself but they have been dealt with in a mini-series and that too very precisely. The writing is so brilliant that it has packed all these issues of a wealthy family in the three episodes (around 15 minutes each) of the show. It does not look a bit too much but at the same time, conveys and addresses the issues so wonderfully. At the same time, it is also intriguing and intense. The performances of the actors, especially Manu Rios who plays Patrick, are commendable.

The first episode of the third instalment of the Elite Short Stories 2 opens with Patrick sleeping on a couch in his living room, naked after the party. His father comes waking him up and asking him to wear some clothes and spites him for sleeping like that. 

The drama shows how one is not what they look like. Despite having all luxury, they don't seem happy at all. Patrick is seen calling such a beautiful and massive home a 'cemetery'. While his sister Ari gets a Christmas tree and plans to decorate it with the family, Patrick and Mencia tend to scorn the idea. Patrick decides to spend the festival alone in the cabin in the woods as he didn't want to have company. But instead, gets forced to join a rave party with gay friends. Patrick gets high and starts having visions of Mencia committing suicide and his family attending her funeral. He hurries home to prove himself that he is after all not the selfish person that all his family members consider him to be. Everyone then sits and has 'the talk' with each other about how after the death of their mother, there is a void in the office and how they blame each other for it and apologise. Benjamin, the father, convinces them that it was none of their faults and just an accident. They all seem to then move on and decorate the Christmas tree.

The last scene where they decorate and then light up the tree is sure to bring smiles to your face. But like every Christmas movie or series, it talks about love and family. It shows how important it is to spend time with family and talk things out.   

Verdict:

Elite Short Stories: Patrick can make for a good quick watch on Christmas.