Boxed In is a 2018 Irish Short Film, produced by North Wicklow Films. It is written by Brian Matthews-Murphy and directed by David Keeling.
The protagonist Seanie (Gerry Cannon) is a creature of habit. He went to school across the road, went to work around the corner and married the woman next door. Essentially he's never left his quaint small town.
One day however he meets an American tourist called Jack (Bobby Calloway). He's the complete opposite; he's seen the whole world and plans to see even more. Oh and he lives in a box.
The film can be watched here
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Tropes:
- Brick Joke: At the start of the film Tom the barman makes a joke that Seanie really wants a mojito to drink. At the end of the film Seanie decides to order one for real.
- Bromantic Comedy: Seanie and Jack's friendship is the focus of the film.
- Cardboard Box Home: Jack has lived in one for most of his life. He still goes on vacations in it.
- Country Mouse: Seanie through and through."Your whole world consists of the two square miles between your house and this bar."
- Drunken Montage: A brief one showing Seanie and Jack sharing a few pints together.
- Establishing Character Moment: Seanie's is arriving "like clockwork" at the bar for 5 o'clock, expecting a pint of Guinness to be ready for him.
- Freudian Excuse: Jack lives in his box because he's afraid of the outside world.
- Genki Guy: Jack sure is hyper!
- Intergenerational Friendship: Jack's actual age is hard to determine but he's definitely younger than Seanie.
- Lame Pun Reaction: Seanie has one to Tom's joke.Tom: I see your mate Bosco is back.Seanie: Don't give up the day job, Tom.
- Loony Friends Improve Your Personality: Seanie is definitely better off from having met Jack.
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Jack is a male example. He's quirky, energetic and encourages Seanie to live a little.
- Odd Friendship: Seanie - an older Irish country man - and Jack - an outgoing American.
- Oireland: Parodied. Seanie fits this trope but it's used to show how old-fashioned he is.
- Parody Sue: Jack is a bubble of quirk who livens up Seanie's life...and he's also an extreme agoraphobic who lives in a box.
- Photo Montage: The end credits show Seanie and Jack on various holidays.
- Punny Name: He's Jack and he lives in a box.
- Rule of Three: We see three scenes where Tom waits for Seanie to enter the pub.
- Separated by a Common Language: Jack doesn't understand what Seanie means when he says "taking the piss" — which is a UK and Irish expression for joking around.
- Significant Wardrobe Shift: In the end credits we see Seanie wearing some flowery Aloha shirts to reflect his new outlook.
- Skewed Priorities: Seanie is less shocked by encountering a man that lives in a box and more shocked that his name is Jack.
- Small Town Boredom: Played with. Seanie initially seems to be happy in his situation, but he does desire a bit more by the end.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Seanie mentioned that he's married. It's not said what his wife is doing while he's on his holiday with Jack (
unless she's taking the pictures). Or more simply she could be dead.
