...And we're back. I'll catch you up in case you missed the last installment: this is a review for Bent Volume 3, which is the final volume in a series showcasing ten short films by independent director Jason Santo. On each Bent DVD several shorts appear, strung together by wrap-around narration that relates them all to the human condition. In my review of Bent Volume 2, I stated that I found this wrap-around to be rather hackneyed, as it tried to force the films to be something they weren't, i.e. examinations of existence. However, I did note that the three films were well-made and while small in scale, involved intriguing ideas that showed a good deal of promise and inherent talent in their director. Expecting to receive much the same package with Bent Volume 3 (to be referred to as Bent 3), I plunged in and ended up finding, to my pleasant surprise, that it was even better than the previous volume. If Bent 2 hinted at the talent of Jason Santo, Bent 3 made good on the promise.

Of course, this is not to say that this volume is perfect. As stated, that lifeless narration by Bridget Coulter is back, clumsily making mountains out of molehill-sized elements of the stories. I'm sorry if it sounds a little repetitive to rag on this again, but I still think it kind of hurts the films to try to force them to be broad existential examinations when for the most part, they are simply intelligent little character studies. Basically, all I'm saying is that the films are fine as they are; they don't need to be justified by being forced to look like they're exploring a larger theme, particularly since the broadened scope of the films of Bent 3 allows them to stand better on their own.

Volume 3 starts with a bang (actually several, off-screen) in Aftermath, a film that deals intelligently and realistically with the reaction of a group of teenagers to a shooting that takes place at their school. Moving on to more whimsical territory, Again, the weakest of the entries, is about a man who at the house of some of his wife's old college friends, finds that his surroundings seem strangely familiar. Much more somber (and provocative) subject matter is explored in Here Comes Your Man, which tells the blistering tale of a man who finds he is infected with HIV and, out of anger, decides to spread his affliction to as many women as he can. Finally, the package wraps up with More Than Money's Worth, a light little romantic comedy in which a group of college preppies (one of whom is played by the director, Jason Santo) hires a pretty, cash-strapped co-ed (the luminescent Tina Krause) to go out with the captain of the school's golf team, since his playing has become poor after a recent break-up.

Compare the plot descriptions of the above with those of Bent 2. It should become immediately clear that there's more to this volume: it took longer for me to sum up the various plots, and they were complicated enough to each warrant their own sentence, rather than simply a semicolon-offset item in a long list. This reflection is indeed an accurate one: most of what is found in Bent 3 is as said, much more substantial than what was in Volume 2. It's of little surprise that Again, the weakest entry, looks like something that would have fit into Volume 2: it's short, simple, and takes place in one location with a minimum of characters. Thankfully, the other films in this set move away from this direction.

More Than Money's Worth, the next weakest production, is still a vast improvement: it takes time to develop more interesting characters and to surround them with a story (albeit a clichéd one, though its self-awareness redeems it) with more substance. Of course, the delightful presence of Ms. Krause doesn't hurt things one bit either, and while this short is still far from perfect, it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Still, where the talent of those involved truly shines is in the other two segments, both of which are absolutely fantastic. Aftermath works so well not only because of its professionalism and power of its drama, but because of its sheer bravery. It is willing to get close to its characters and accurately, realistically and intelligently depict and examine their wildly varying reactions, and it doesn't shy away from pointing out bitter irony and foolishness when they are present, despite the fact that Columbine-style shootings are still a rather tender subject. The only real complaint I had with this segment is that it was too short. I would have liked it to be longer and to look even more closely at the subject it's examining.

Here Comes Your Man displays a similar self-assuredness that makes it an equally impressive (if entirely different) piece of work. Man is brutally honest in its portrayal of its subject matter, depicting the decay of AIDS in all its horror and never shying away from the spectacular cruelty of its main character, a man so bitter about his own life that he feels the need to spread his misery to others. All of this grotesquerie and sadness makes quite a powerful pill, and I wouldn't consider myself out of line in calling this a Requiem for a Dream about sex instead of drugs. Man is good stuff folks, and Mr. Santo deserves some major kudos for this one.

As for the DVD, we receive a package that is worthy of what it presents. Both audio and video vary, depending on the source, though in all cases they get the job done and seem to make the best of what they're given. As for extras, we get trailers for each film (as well as for the three volumes of Bent); featurettes on Again, Aftermath, and Here Comes Your Man; and finally a commentary on More Than Money's Worth. All of the little documentaries are interesting (though comparing say, Again and Aftermath, we discover that the featurettes become much more interesting when the films they explore are more substantial) and provide a good mix of interviews, outtakes, and test footage. Much more breezy is the commentary, which has been provided by most of the cast of Money (except Krause - her fans shouldn't get their hopes up), as well as a few key technical players, and is a rather casual affair. It's not all that interesting, but depending on your taste, it might be worth a listen.

All in all, Bent 3 provides a very entertaining package that is a great improvement over the 'just-all-right' Bent 2. It's clear from some of the work on this disc that Jason Santo could be a director who's going places. Here's hoping to see him tackle some more provocative material in the near future. For now, however, check out some of what will soon be called his 'early work' and take a look at this fine disc.

Editor's Note - The Bent Trilogy is available from Tempe Home Video as a DVD 3-pack.