High Maintenance

 Evaluate the two plot twists of High maintenance 

In high maintenance there are two main plot twists are heavily hinted at during the whole of the short film from the start, even with the title "High Maintenance" and the double entendre, hinting a at a high maintenance relationship, but also at how a machine takes high maintenance to keep. It is clear from the beginning that the relationship being shown is very dispassionate and very tense, this is demonstrated by the use of different elements such as lighting, sound, dialogue, and other subtle details. 

With the dim and grey dull lighting being used, to create the industrial and not welcoming feeling for the viewer, to the lack of dialogue between the two characters. The use of sound also plays a big part, and the gradual change from a more ethereal and happy music to the deep and nerve wracking theme being played when he gets switched off. The lack of chemistry between the two characters s made apparent in many different ways, the woman is shown to drink a lot since this is a special occasion for both of them, while the man chooses not to drink prioritising his work. The hypocrisy of the woman towards the man is also shown to make this relationship to seem more dysfunctional, including themes of stress and addiction, she doesn't condone smoking and doesn't want to become a passive smoker and calls him out for doing so, while ignoring her possible drinking problem, but it seems that both use vices as a way to let out stress or tension. I would also point out a very subtle detail, the woman mentions a lot the word 'aphrodisiac' meaning something exotic and tropical, which highly contrasts the mood set in the short with the usual of lighting and scenario, it is clearly set in an urban setting and with very industrial-like, grey imagery. This can be links to how maybe the woman wants to break free from a routine and have a more adventurous life, which could be why she looks for someone more exciting when she looks for a new boyfriend/companion/robot. the use of foreshadowing in this short film leading to the first plot twist is great, the first thing that might give u an idea of this plot twist is the way the actors portray the movements and their emotions, they move in a robotic and stiff way while talking in a cold demeanour and almost unnerving way. It is also hinted at when the woman says 'mechanical sex' which could be taken literally and assume that it's just not good, but it could also be interpreted as something repetitive and boring almost as if it's something that doesn't excite her anymore. 

After the first plot twist is shown, the female character is shown to be ordering a new partner/robot, she is clearly concerned since she is seen to glare back at the previous partner, which shows that she cares or that she cared about him, but she continuous to order a new one, reinforcing the idea to the viewers that she is, indeed, a human and not a robot. This also happens later on when they are taking away her old partner, she kisses him but then again removes the ring from him, all of this helps with the second plot twist since all of these human-like emotions make the viewer expect the fact that she’s a robot less.