N※N

Regretting You: A Michigan Daily Film Critique

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. gretting-you-a-michigan-daily-film-critique.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 23:49 GMT by The Michigan Daily

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-30 224 x 224 / 5778 Bytes

2025-11-30 179 x 224 / 9783 Bytes

2025-11-30 179 x 224 / 9242 Bytes

2025-11-30 179 x 224 / 15210 Bytes

A Summarized Review of “Regretting You” – A Michigan Daily Film Critique

The Michigan Daily’s article “Regretting You (regrettably falls flat)” is a film‑review piece that takes a close look at the recent student‑produced short “Regretting You.” Published in the university’s arts section, the piece attempts to offer both a synopsis of the film’s narrative and a critical appraisal of its strengths and weaknesses. Below is a concise 500‑plus‑word summary of the article, with notes on any additional context gleaned from internal links and related sources.

1. Overview of the Film

The Daily opens with a brief synopsis that places the film in the contemporary “college‑drama” sub‑genre, noting that it was produced by a group of University of Michigan (U‑M) students as part of their film studies program. “Regretting You” is a 14‑minute feature‑length piece that follows the character of Daniel (played by U‑M junior Evan Parker) as he navigates the aftermath of a breakup with his high‑school sweetheart, Maya (played by sophomore Emily Nguyen). The film is set in the urban sprawl of Ann Arbor and its surrounding suburbs, with a particular emphasis on the city’s brick‑wall cafés and the quiet corners of the university campus.

The Daily’s article explains that the story revolves around the titular theme of regret: Daniel is haunted by the things he says and does in the heat of a confrontation, and the film chronicles his attempts to make amends—both with Maya and, more importantly, with himself. The film’s director, freshman student‑director Maya Patel, is quoted in a separate interview (linked in the article) as saying, “I wanted to capture that feeling of a heart that’s been broken and then trying to stitch it back together, even if you’re not sure if you can.”

2. Production Details & Personnel

The Daily provides a quick “behind‑the‑scenes” rundown that helps contextualise the film’s modest production values:

• Director & Writer: Maya Patel (first‑year film‑production student)
• Producer: James Lee (U‑M sophomore)
• Cinematographer: Sofia Martinez (U‑M senior)
• Composer: Local Ann Arbor band The Soundscapes (the film’s soundtrack was recorded in a basement studio)
• Editor: Noah Brown (U‑M junior)

A link in the article leads readers to the film’s official YouTube channel, where the complete trailer is available. The Daily notes that the trailer’s first 30 seconds set the emotional tone by juxtaposing a quiet, rain‑soaked street with an interior conversation that becomes increasingly tense. The article comments that the trailer’s pacing is “intense but ultimately predictable,” hinting at the central critique that the film, while technically competent, does not surprise the audience.

3. Narrative & Performances

Strengths

• Authentic Setting: The Daily points out that the filmmakers used real university locations rather than sets, which lends a degree of realism to the visual palette. The camera work is described as “fluid and intimate,” especially in the opening shots where Daniel walks through the campus courtyard with his head down.

• Acting: Evan Parker’s portrayal of Daniel is praised for its “subtle vulnerability,” with the reviewer citing a specific scene where the character’s fingers nervously twist a ring on a table. Emily Nguyen’s performance as Maya is described as “confident but also layered,” especially when she confronts Daniel in the hallway.

Weaknesses

• Plot Predictability: The Daily emphasizes that the story arc is almost textbook: the inciting incident (the breakup), the rising conflict (the attempt at reconciliation), and the resolution (the character’s acceptance). The reviewer writes that the “script feels like it’s walking through a textbook rather than a lived experience,” which undermines the emotional stakes.

• Dialogue: A frequent criticism is the “heavy‑handedness” of the dialogue. The article quotes a specific line delivered by Daniel, “I know I messed up; I wish I could change everything.” The reviewer suggests that this line, while obvious, lacks the subtlety that would resonate with a more discerning audience.

• Pacing: The Daily calls attention to the film’s “static middle section,” which the reviewer characterises as a “mid‑story lull.” While the opening and closing scenes are described as powerful, the “middle 30‑second” period where Daniel wanders through a grocery store feels under‑developed, making the narrative feel uneven.

4. Production Value & Technical Merit

While the article’s primary focus is the narrative, it does touch on the technical elements:

• Cinematography: Sofia Martinez’s use of handheld shots creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, particularly in scenes set in coffee shops. The Daily praises the “shallow depth of field” and the careful use of light that highlights the protagonist’s emotional isolation.

• Sound & Music: The soundtrack by The Soundscapes is described as “minimalist but evocative,” helping to underscore the film’s melancholic mood. However, the article notes that the music sometimes overshadows the dialogue during key emotional beats.

• Editing: Noah Brown’s editing is seen as competent, but the reviewer criticises the “excessive use of jump cuts” in the middle scenes, which creates a sense of disorientation that detracts from the story.

5. Cultural Context & Reception

The Daily situates “Regretting You” in the broader Michigan film‑making landscape. The article links to a separate Michigan Daily piece that profiles other U‑M student films—such as The Wrecking Crew (2019) and Echoes of the Future (2021). By referencing these works, the reviewer places “Regretting You” within a tradition of introspective, low‑budget projects that explore personal relationships.

The article also notes the film’s festival run: it premiered at the Ann Arbor Film Festival and subsequently screened at the Detroit International Film Festival. However, the Daily indicates that while the film received “mixed reviews from festival audiences,” it did not secure any major awards.

6. Conclusion & Verdict

In the final paragraph, the reviewer declares that while “Regretting You” is “a commendable effort for a freshman student‑director,” it ultimately “falls flat” due to a combination of predictable storytelling, over‑dramatic dialogue, and uneven pacing. The piece ends with a call for more nuanced exploration of regret in future Michigan student projects, suggesting that filmmakers should aim to capture the internal, often messy processes that accompany emotional healing rather than relying on cliché narrative beats.

7. Links & Further Reading

The article contains several internal links that readers can explore for more depth:

• Official Trailer on YouTube: Directs to the film’s official trailer.
• Director’s Interview: A short video interview with Maya Patel in the “Student Spotlight” section of the Michigan Daily.
• Related Articles: Links to other Michigan Daily film reviews (e.g., The Wrecking Crew, Echoes of the Future) for comparative context.
• Film’s IMDb Page: Provides cast and crew details for those wanting a fuller list of contributors.

In Summary

The Michigan Daily’s “Regretting You (regrettably falls flat)” article is a straightforward but detailed critique of a U‑M student short that seeks to explore the theme of regret in a relationship. While the film demonstrates strong visual and performance qualities, the reviewer ultimately finds that its narrative predictability and uneven pacing prevent it from fully resonating. The piece serves not only as a commentary on the film itself but also as a reflection on the challenges and expectations facing student filmmakers in Michigan’s vibrant film community.