The Sonnet Project Sonnet #129 (2013– ) Online

There is an air of revulsion at sexual lust in this sonnet – it is heavy and obvious, and uses very strong phrases and language to convey it. To read it, the sonnet produces these strong feelings and sense of self-loathing in the writer, and the short film of it brings this out very well. Mostly we are set in a neon lit club, with blurred visual presentation adding to the feeling of this club environment having its own sense of intoxication. Over this the music fits the club environment, but also has a sinister tone to it which again fits the text. The music is a little heavily when it comes to hearing the words delivered, but mostly the sound mix is good.

Sommer delivers via narration, and is clear and with the right amount of loathing in his delivery. On screen he does just as well – hating himself in the walk home, but convincing as a fish taking the bait when he is in the club. The whole film has a convincingly urban sense of grime, lust, excess, and dirtiness – all of which totally connects to the text. It is a bit full-on in its approach, but it very much works to get the most from the text.