June could totally be my dom. 

The June in question, played to absolute perfection by writer/director Madison Hatfield, is a recently back in the dating world young woman whose complete lack of assertiveness is put on full display in this opening scene of the 15-minute comedy short I Could Dom. Determined to prove friends Marigold (Hannah Alline) and Deb (Adetinpo Thomas) wrong and that she could "totally be a dom," June sets out on a date with the submissive Jeff (Derek Evans). 

The result is an absolutely delightful and funny short filled with an abundance of heart, humor, and safe words. 

Set for its world premiere on April 5th at the Oscar qualifying Aspen ShortsFest, I Could Dom soars on the strength of Hatfield's radiating tapestry of slightly bawdy vulnerability. It's a kind of mischievous unpredictability that pulls you in and handcuffs you to the floor. Truthfully, if you're not absolutely in love with June by the end of I Could Dom there's something absolutely wrong with you. 

Hatfield is supported more than ably by the hilariously submissive Derek Evans as Jeff, ready for kink and more than a little bit disappointed with the leather-clad awkward wonder that shows up at his door. Their interactions are inspired and amplified by Hatfield's funny with feeling dialogue. As June's two BFFs, Hannah Alline and Adetinpo Thomas are also quite sublime. 

Lensing by Cristian Bernal is strong throughout and nicely captures the film's mix of heart and humor while Colton Jackson's original music possesses a light playfulness that lets us know we're in for something special here. 

Indeed, we are. 

I Could Dom is a true cinematic wonder from beginning to end. Destined to be a big success on the indie fest circuit, I Could Dom is a film to watch and Madison Hatfield is for sure a talent to be watching for in the future (She made me say that). 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic