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Shot largely in beautifully framed close-up, the film hones in on the faces of these sympathetic people as they quietly consider what is happening around them. Performances are open and often staggeringly honest emotionally, with a particularly engaging turn from Mukherjee as the cheeky, curious Arati, whose intelligence radiates through her deference. Chatterjee's Subrata is a superbly navigated mix of confidence and frustration. Their scenes together have terrific chemistry that's never remotely simplified. And the surrounding cast is equally nuanced in the way they interact with them.

In his films, Ray captures real life in India with a strong sense of detail, grappling with big issues without ever tipping over into melodrama. This earthy, truthful approach puts vivid, unusually layered characters at the heart of the story, which makes everything that happens on-screen unusually easy to identify with, no matter where we live or how many decades later. So Arati's journey offers remarkably inspiring insight into self-discovery, taking on tradition and succeeding without needing to destroy people on the way.

themes, language

14.Jun.22

Performances are relaxed, relying on the nutty internal energy that each character brings to the screen. Earl makes Brian likably dopey but never stupid, and he has superb chemistry with Hayward's remarkably cheeky, mischievous Charles. Both are strong-willed, so their clashes are hilarious. And Brealey gives Hazel her own sweet eccentricities. She may be a third wheel, but she holds her own beautifully, adding some lightly unhinged romantic moments along the way. And it's also nice that Michie's cruel Eddie has some surprising complexity to him.

As the story approaches its deranged but satisfying climax, we're so won over that we don't really mind that the resolution is so abrupt. This is because each moment of the journey is packed with tiny details in imagery, sound and dialog that draw us further in, continually eliciting a smile and sometimes a proper laugh. The message about embracing and standing up for one's self might not be hugely original, but it still feels inspiring as it comes from these social outcasts.

themes, language, violence

7.Jun.22 slf

Performances are relaxed and realistic within the heightened narrative, which makes the characters feel more engaging than expected, especially as the story turns edgier. Stoesser anchors the film nicely as the quick-thinking Austin, who is trying to plot his own future while everyone around him has other ideas. Spears is able to subvert the chucklehead stereotype as Swearsky, while Denning cleverly makes Mary Jane more prickly than expected. And the teens played by Tavernier, Maroon and Notarile also nicely push back against cliches.

Instead of cutting loose with teen energy, the plot gets increasingly serious, with arguments and strained relationships that add tension between characters. So as the final act arrives, this feels much more like a darkly disturbing drama in which tragedy is the most likely outcome. Indeed, the stroke of midnight brings a ripple of repercussions to each of the story threads, leading to a climactic decision. And while there's strong resonance and some sharp observations in here, the film ultimately feels rather forgettable.

themes, language, violence

16.Jun.22