Tribeca Film Festival Movie Short Review: ‘Reconstructing Charlie’

by | Jun 5, 2026 | Featured Post, Movie Reviews, Movies | 0 comments

Greetings again from the darkness. Sometimes, life hits us so hard that it seems unfair. Writer-director Lara Everly recounts her personal challenges in a well-paced 22-minute short film that is both funny and touching.

After a follow-up phone call from her doctor, a stunned Charlie (Emily Arlook, “Grown-ish”) finds herself juggling her two kids, Janet the pet lizard, her recent divorce, and her upcoming mastectomy due to breast cancer diagnosis. Her friend Allison invites Charlie and the kids to stay with her in Houston during her recovery. This leads to Charlie and Allison creating a ‘boob bucket list’. The ladies work through the list, finding themselves in various situations that could be described as fun, disappointing, and even illegal. It’s also the first time I’ve heard of ‘karaoke for the pelvis’.

Ms. Everly’s film (and her experience) remind us of the importance of friendship and staying focused on what matters … even in the face of adversity.

RECONSTRUCTING CHARLIE will premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival as part of the Vital Stories showcase on June 10th at 5:30pm at the Shorts Theater at Spring Studios.

David Ferguson
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