“Funny how things have a way of balancing themselves out.”
Not only is this a climactic line in director Seth Grave’s Balance, but it’s also the major premise of this short film written by HumorOutcast’s Jason Elia, who plays with the idea of karma being something managed by a team of Matrix-like beings like Justina (Sage Galesi) who finds herself at the center of controversy.
While in the opening scenes it’s unclear what Justina’s motives are, as she bumps into strangers and takes their money only to give it to others (think: a hot, female version of Robin Hood), when she walks into an elevator that holds her boss Mr. Jones (played by Jason Marsden, a.k.a. Rich from ABC’s “Step By Step”), it becomes clear her work in karma is based on a higher power.
“I know what you’re about to do,” Mr. Jones scolds Justina, about her upcoming actions. “I’ve been told to warn you.” So just as Justina is restoring balance, it could just as well come back to bite her in the ass in the form of her own karma coming for her.
No matter Rich’s—err, Mr. Jones’—advice, she bumps (who knew Karma could be so clumsy?) and finagles her way into becoming an assistant to a man named Titus (played by Stephen Baldwin). Justina tells his assistant that she was fired and to hand over all of the important documents—oh, and his prescriptions. Because THIS doesn’t sound suspicious.
Justina shows up at Titus’ office, announcing that she’s his new assistant and handing him his prescription that took “initiative” to get.
“What’s it for?” she says (what a nosy assistant!).
Instead of imploring Justina to refer to his other assistant “Nunya Business,” he says, “See if you can guess.”
Justina responds with, “Allergies,” probably because Titus looks so teary-eyed and also because she already knew the answer to the question when she came through the door.
You can guess what happens next.
But Justina’s not necessarily a murderer (well, I mean, she is, but it’s for a good cause). Titus is head of the Titus-Emrys Corporation, which has been charged with unsafe waste disposal in New York City, causing the deaths of people like a mother Justina took care of (not in the same way she “took care of” Titus). In addition to getting Titus’ prescription after becoming the worst assistant ever, Justina also acquired important documents that could further implicate Titus-Emrys in their court case.
However, Titus won’t be alive to see it, meaning he won’t suffer the consequences, instead receiving a quick, relatively painless death. Was double the karma too much? Would just being implicated have been enough? Seems like Karma let him off a little easy. Maybe it’s just the sadist in me, but I wanted to see Stephen Baldwin in an orange jumpsuit, his teary eyes strapped with fear of dropping the soap.
This film plays out like a pilot episode of a TV show. Think: “My Name is Earl” meets “The Following.” It’s an interesting premise the way things do have a way of balancing themselves out in the real world (I wonder if Justina had a hand in finally sending OJ off to prison for armed robbery in 2008). And the film sets itself up for a sequel with the ominous end line: “Your next balancing act.”