Sometimes, you don't need much to make an enjoyable film. A limited number of characters, a straightforward premise, and dialogue that feels natural can be enough to make a small production interesting. Burt (2025) is exactly that kind of film. What initially appears to be a simple story about an adult son meeting his father for the first time thankfully turns out to have a little more up its sleeve.
Starts as a Simple Father-Son Story
On paper, Burt initially seems to be primarily about an adult son meeting his father for the first time. It's a premise that offers plenty of opportunities for drama, awkward conversations, and the gradual discovery of an unknown parent.
It is therefore a welcome twist that the film doesn't simply continue down that expected path. Without giving too much away, Burt manages to expand the story in an enjoyable way. This makes the film more interesting than you might initially expect based on its premise.
That doesn't mean the film always manages to surprise. Not every development is predictable, but the way the story unfolds is often somewhat predictable. This isn't necessarily a major problem or particularly annoying, but it does prevent Burt from ever rising significantly above its own premise.
Burton Berger Is an Interesting Addition
The presence of Burton Berger is an interesting choice. It becomes clear almost immediately that he is not a professional actor. Yet rather than becoming a problem, this actually works in the film's favor.
There is something natural and unpolished about his performance, which makes certain scenes feel more believable. Burt doesn't try to give the impression that every scene needs to be carried by perfectly trained actors. That modest approach fits the nature of the film well.
In a production with relatively few characters, it is important that the characters who are present at least work. Fortunately, that is the case with Burt. The limited cast brings enough character and chemistry to keep the relatively simple premise interesting.
Looks Great in Black and White
Visually, Burt takes a distinctive approach by being shot entirely in black and white. This immediately gives the production its own identity and suits the film's small-scale atmosphere.
What is particularly impressive, however, is how quickly you forget that you're watching a black-and-white film. The black-and-white cinematography never feels like a gimmick that constantly demands your attention. After a while, you simply get used to it and become completely absorbed in the story.
Perhaps that is ultimately the biggest compliment you can give the cinematography. When you stop thinking about the fact that the film has no color, it means the story is engaging enough for the visual style to fade into the background.
Well-Written Dialogue Keeps the Movie Going
One of Burt's strongest qualities is its dialogue. The conversations generally feel natural and give the characters enough room to develop.
Fortunately, the film doesn't constantly try to create major emotional moments. Instead, much of the character development comes through the conversations themselves, which helps the characters feel believable.
The dialogue also ensures that Burt doesn't feel like a purely dramatic film. There is enough humor and lightness to keep the whole thing accessible.
Short Runtime Affects the Structure
One of the weaker aspects of Burt is its structure. It doesn't always flow as strongly as it could, and this is mainly due to the film's short runtime.
With a running time of around 80 minutes, Burt is a particularly short feature. In fact, the film very clearly feels as though it was conceived and shot as a short film that was eventually expanded into a longer production. As a result, some developments feel rushed, while other moments seem as though they could have benefited from more room to breathe.
That is a shame, because there is clearly enough material in Burt to develop the story further. A slightly longer runtime could have given certain relationships and developments more depth.
Drama with Enough Room for Entertainment
One thing that is particularly pleasant about Burt is that it never tries to present itself as overly heavy or serious entertainment. Despite the subjects it explores, the film remains accessible.
There is enough room for entertainment and some lighter moments, meaning the overall experience never becomes unnecessarily heavy. That balance works well. Burt wants to tell a story, but it also remembers that a film should simply be enjoyable to watch.
Conclusion: A Successful Small-Scale Film
Ultimately, Burt is a modest film that succeeds primarily thanks to its combination of well-written dialogue, an interesting cast, and a distinctive black-and-white visual style. The twist on the original father-son premise is welcome and prevents the film from becoming an overly straightforward drama.
At the same time, the short runtime and occasionally uneven structure mean that Burt doesn't quite manage to reach its full potential. The film also isn't consistently surprising. While not every development is predictable, the route the story takes is often fairly easy to anticipate.
That isn't a major flaw, but it does mean that Burt ultimately remains a solid small-scale film rather than becoming something that truly rises above itself.
Still, there is plenty to appreciate. The black-and-white cinematography, natural dialogue, limited but effective cast, and pleasant balance between drama and entertainment make Burt well worth watching.
Rating: 7/10
