"Sanitation Engineering" gives off that "bunch-of-guys-get-together-and-make-a-movie" feeling which appears to be a frequent characteristic of student films. Depending on the movie, that can be either a good or a bad thing. Here, it's kinda fun. The story is pretty straight-forward: Popular John, a college freshman (Peretz Partensky) previously lucky enough to be the sole occupant of a double room, has his peaceful life shaken up by new roommate Miller (Richard Rubin) who, to put it mildly, is completely out of his mind. Coming from a strange land whose customs apparently do not include laundry, bathing or obeying the fundamental laws of human normalcy, Miller drives John to the brink of insanity. John is thus thrust into a difficult quest to evict his roommate, and, above all, to remain germ-free in a room which increasingly resembles a landfill. Revenge and destruction are attempted and hilarity ensues. "Sanitation Engineering's" greatest flaw is that it seems to lag a bit at times, particularly in scenes that do not take place within the residence hall. Given that the highlights of the movie are found in the aggressive confrontations between the roommates slowly attempting to destroy each other in their claustrophobic dorm room, other parts often seem somewhat weak in comparison. Nevertheless, this little comedy still ends up offering sufficient laughs and moments of absurdity to carry itself through its half-hour running time. There are quite a few genuinely giggle-provoking scenes, as well as many "awkward pauses" which, when used properly in comic situations, can have a nicely humorous effect.

Partensky does a fine job as an average guy slowly losing his senses, especially when John's unsanitary living conditions turn him into a hygiene-obsessed psychotic, spraying everything he comes in contact with for his own "protection." Rubin, for his part, meets the call of duty in an amusing performance. His sharp line delivery and jerky, birdlike movements make him a convincingly hellish roommate. As for the rest of the cast, those playing John's friends (Jane Partensky, Josh Bellin, and Jessica Greenberg, among others) seem, unfortunately slightly weak: Their characters lack adequate development and too-often fade into the background of the movie.

Brandeis student Arnon Shorr '05, directed "Sanitation Engineering" on a shoestring budget of only $40, and clearly has talent as a filmmaker. Favoring creative angles and unconventional shots, his camera style often seems intentionally influenced by Alfred Hitchcock. When coupled with a musical score by Bellin (who also co-wrote the film, with Michael Dubitzky) that sounds vaguely inspired by Bernard Herrmann, a demented lunacy is added to the proceedings.

There's an amusing weirdness in the filmmakers' attempt to use the customary trappings of a psychological thriller in a movie which deals with what should be no more than a typical part of mundane college life. The entertaining oddball spirit that pervades the film is reason enough to check out this short when there is another showing.