Commercial Critique: Honesty

The public service awareness commercial “Honesty” had a plot that demonstrated how values such as honesty and integrity can lead to positive outcomes. There couldn’t be a better choice than Black Eyed Peas “Where is the Love” for a background song. The song let alone has very inspiring lyrics, so it was a perfect fit for the intent of this commercial. The beginning shot is of a teenage boy sitting on a bench listening to headphones. The screen starts at the boy’s feet and slowly pans out so that the whole boy is in view. He is somewhat of a skater boy with chains and from first impressions he seems a little thuggish. The video changes to a two shot to further reveal a lady sitting next to him on the bench writing down in a journal. The screen then switches to the bus stop and a bus pulls up and the lady jumps on, leaving her purse behind at the bench. The boy is looking around and then the ladies’ purse comes into view with a low shot angle. The boy picks up the purse and looks up only to see the bus heading down the road. He looks in the bag, puts it under his arm, and takes off running. The screen cuts to a cop car that spots the boy and begins to follow him with some suspicion. The boy continues to run and stops to prop on the side of a building, tired and out of breath. The screen then again switches to the buses and the woman is getting off. The boy walks up to the woman and returns her purse. The woman is so appreciative and tells him how worried she was. The cops pull up and see the boy doing a good deed and call him over to the car and say “nice move kid.”  At the same time a voice over says—Honesty, pass it on. The cops offer him a doughnut and the boy turns around and walks away.

I think this commercial’s plot is one that happens numerous times. Crime is more popular for the younger generations, which is why its message is so effective. My only critique would be maybe a little better acting from the woman. She didn’t seem quiet as relieved and thankful as someone would be if this were reality. I think the message is youthful and lighthearted and is a commercial that everyone should see because it promotes good decision-making.