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I haven’t watched any movies that make you think lately. I’ve gotten a lot of recommendations, but I haven’t made much progress. It’s been almost ten days since I talked about movies. So, I picked three good ones to share (you might like them, or you might not). These movies are from different languages and aren’t recent releases, but I watched them recently.

#8 AM Metro

This is a Hindi movie from India. I think we’ve all met people who come into our lives unexpectedly, do something good for us, and then either stay or leave. It’s hard to put labels on those relationships. Maybe this movie taught me that not all relationships need labels. From society’s perspective, it might seem like infidelity, but if you see it from the male lead’s view, it’s about hope for survival, and for her, it helped her rediscover her love for poetry. I highly recommend watching it

#Tune in for love

This is a Korean movie about people trying to live a decent life and move on from their past. The male lead has just been released from prison on probation for pushing his friend off a building (which he didn’t). He starts working at a bakery, where he meets the female lead, who is struggling to run the place. Fate is so complicated that they barely get to meet. I liked a few moments in the movie, especially when he captures life’s rare moments. I won’t say much more, but sometimes, life is just about trust and having someone to rely on.

#Turtles all the way down

This is an American movie that I chose to watch because of its title. It’s about a female lead who wants to be a good daughter, friend, and student but can’t stop obsessing thoughts of bacteria. Disclaimer: if you have OCD, you might want to skip this one. The movie is about how she navigates life with these struggles. There isn’t much of a story, but the script, questions raised, conversations, and science make you think. The idea of ‘turtles all the way down’ is explained well, and I think scenes from Young Sheldon fit this idea perfectly.

Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum – Rene Descartes

#Drawing closer

This is a Japanese movie (not anime) about two young people who are both diagnosed with cancer and share a passion for drawing. They find hope to live longer and endure the pain by being there for each other. The movie touches on relationships, desires, pain, and dreams. It might even make you fall in love with gerbera flower

Apart from these, I’d recommend Purple Hearts and The Hating Game for binge-watching. Once I watch Inside Out 2, I’ll come up with another post.

Cheers

PS: FI is based on Drawing Closer. If I missed anything, I’ll add it in later.

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R

I hadn’t planned on watching this movie this weekend. I was thinking of ‘It Ends with Us,’ but my friend, who already read it, advised against it because the characters didn’t meet their expectations. It’s been a long time since I read any fiction, but maybe I should give it a try again.

Back to the movie, I expected one thing but got something else when I came of this movie. Before I review it for my general audience who don’t speak Tamil, let me give you a heads-up. As we know, India is diverse in culture and languages. I won’t get into politics, but there’s an issue, or what I believed it to be, where Hindi, being one of the Indian languages, has been imposed on others to learn. There’s a common phrase often used as a joke to show someone when they are questioned in Hindi: ‘Ek gaon mein ek kisan Raghu Thatha..

In the movie, they used ‘Raghu Thatha’ as the title. It is Tamil movie directed by Suman Kumar. The story centers around a female protagonist named Kayalvizhi Pandian, a banker at a nationalized bank. She also writes inspiring short stories under the male name “Ka Pa” and because she believes people won’t read stories written by women. From what I saw, the story seems to be set in the 1970s, but I might have missed that detail. Kayalvizhi is an activist against the imposed learning of Hindi in Valluvanpettai but is open to it as a language if there is a need. She’s also against cultural rules that limit women (patriarchy). She speaks out against forced marriages, wearing traditional clothing at home, and how women lose their dreams after marriage.

But things change when her supportive grandfather is diagnosed with stomach cancer. She’s emotionally pressured into agreeing to the marriage because it’s one of his wishes. Tamil Selvan, an engineer working for the government on village electrification, meets Kayal on her way to work. He impresses her by reading books and appearing progressive. Due to family pressure and the limited choices offered to her, she sees him as the better companion, believing that he would understand her choices and principles. 

As the story progresses, Kayal is initially charmed by Tamil Selvan’s actions but later discovers that he’s a misogynistic manipulator out to take revenge on her once the wedding gets over. This reminds me of a scene from the movie Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, where the female lead falls in love with a professor who seems progressive but isn’t. Back to the movie, Kayal finds a way out of the marriage by passing her promotion exam (in Hindi), allowing her to move to Calcutta and continue her writing. She also does other mischievous things to escape this marriage. 

Here are my thoughts. Kayal was the stole the show. Throughout the movie, there was a constant push for Kayal to be a role model for many young people, which she had to maintain as it could influence them. The movie’s explanation and comparison of Hindi and its impact on patriarchy were well done, but it didn’t leave a lasting impact because of the mix of mild humor and seriousness. I am sure how far will it reach the audience.

The movie showed how Kayal was losing her principles to escape the marriage but struggled to explain the situation to her grandfather. It was surprising that her progressive grandfather didn’t notice Tamil Selvan’s misogynistic behavior and was willing to sacrifice principles for the marriage. The supporting roles, like Alamelu, the bank manager, and Suneel, were well done. Especially, Kayal’s sister-in-law stands out, even though she was in just a few scenes. She kept suggesting using a lorry driver to solve problems by killing people (LOL). There was one really nice scene where Tamil Selvan’s mom stood up against the marriage and helped Kayal get away. Maybe, the role of Rangu could have been stronger.

I expected Kayal to end up in Calcutta as she wanted to be a writer, but the movie ended showing her at the same bus stop in the same town. The songs were good. The movie had a strong message, but I’m not sure if people will have the patience to sit through it. It might have been better if they focused on either a serious tone or full comedy. Give it try as it running across the theatre.

Cheers

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R

I found it hard to pin this movie down—it’s a mix of thriller, romance, and drama. I enjoyed it, though I’m unsure how many others will. My initial interest was sparked by Taapsee’s performance in Thappad, but by the end, I became a fan of Vikrant too.

The movie begins with Rani at a police station, reporting that her husband is dead. She recounts their story, often quoting her favorite author, Dinesh Pandit.The story runs around Rani and Rishu, who enter into an arranged marriage. They start off on shaky ground—Rishu is reserved, while Rani is outspoken.

Their relationship is strained, and things take a turn when Rishu’s cousin Neel enters the picture. Rani is drawn to him and eventually falls in love, only to realize she’s been deceived, making her life even more complicated. Vikrant took the screen over with this anger, plots to take revenge. Seeking forgiveness from Rishu, they decide to start over, but just as they do, Neel reappears.

The first part ends with them enacting a plot straight out of a Dinesh Pandit crime novel, aiming to escape their current troubles and start anew. It closes with the quote.

If love doesn't push you to the brink of insanity, it's not true love. Only the meek seek refuge in passionless relationships.

The second part picks up with Rani working as a beautician and Rishu, now in disguise, doing odd jobs to save money for a fresh start in Thailand. Their love seems renewed, but life isn’t as simple as they’d hoped. Neel’s uncle, a cop, starts digging into their past, and to avoid prison, Rani marries a dangerous, psychiatric local man named Abhimanyu. He justified the role. The movie follows their attempts to escape from all and start over.

The characters are beautifully written, consistent in both parts—even down to Rani’s hairstyle and nail polish, and Rishu’s mannerism. The film portrays love, anger, lust, fear, betrayal, trust and more with great depth. It may feel a bit psychotic, overly dramatic, and unrealistic at times, but it’s well-crafted with plenty of twists and turns. After all, it’s a movie. The Dinesh Pandit quotes are a highlight, making you want to read his books. Indeed, I miss the beautiful songs the first part had. The second part of the movie ends with

Relationships thrive within the boundaries of right and wrong. True love, however, begins where these boundaries end.

It’s available on Netflix. Give it a try!

Cheers

PS: Lakeeran ♡

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R

I was really looking forward to watching this movie when it first came out. It wasn’t showing up in my area, so I had to wait for it to be available on a streaming platform. I found out on Twitter that it was playing on Simply South, which was a new OTT service for me. Later, I discovered it was also on Prime.

I’m not sure how well this movie will reach its audience. The visuals aren’t heavy, but the concept is deep. It’s a slow-paced film that requires patience, so you might even fall asleep. The story revolves around two female leads: Leelama (mother-in-law) and Anju (daughter-in-law). Anju, who works as a salesgirl, is in love with Rajeev, but her parents don’t accept their intercaste relationship. They force her to marry Thomas Kutty, Leelama’s son. The setting is a small village in Kerala during the monsoon season, with characters traveling by ferry.

Anju is unhappy with her sick husband and spends time with her ex-lover. After her husband dies, she discovers she’s pregnant. The family assumes it’s Thomas’s child until they uncover her infidelity. Anju also learns that Thomas had cancer before their marriage, making her feel deceived. The story is about two people coming to terms with each other.

The mature conversations between the two women are beautifully portrayed. Without this nuance, the same kind of interactions in the common households could have been chaotic, messy and even uglier. Leelama, who wanted to be a doctor but was forced into marriage, accepts her fate and dedicates herself to her family. Anju, on the other hand, refuses to accept her situation quietly. There’s a clear evolution in their characters: Leelama speaks a lot initially but becomes quieter, while Anju, initially submissive, finds her voice.

Each character is flawed but justified in their actions from their own perspectives.

1. Leelama wants her son to marry despite his health issues.
2. Anju is forced into marriage with Thomas due to her father’s wishes, despite loving Rajeev.
3. Rajeev loves Anju but is also motivated by the desire for property.
4. Thomas focuses on his own needs without understanding his role as a husband.
5. Anju’s father prioritizes his wealth and reputation over his children’s happiness.
6. Anju’s mother knew about Thomas’s cancer but hoped Anju would be happy in a wealthy family.

The conversations between Leelama and Anju are calm and filled with mutual care and understanding. Initially, Leelama seems to be emotionally manipulating Anju to stay, but her actions, like delaying the funeral and her interactions with Anju’s parents, reveal her true intentions. She chooses to give the property to Anju instead of her daughter.

Leelama’s conversation with her sister is particularly praiseworthy. Anju, although emotional, is also logical. Her decision to leave the house was present from the beginning. However, her final choice to stay feels unhurried. It could possibly be influenced by her last conversation with Rajeev.

One surprising aspect was how casually the other characters lived in a house filled with water. Urvashi and Parvathy did justice to the role yet Leelama outstood Anju. I am not sure how leelama would’ve done if Thomaskutty was alive.

This movie isn’t for those who prefer straightforward, fast-paced narratives. For some, it might not even make sense. However, if you’re interested, give it a try on Amazon Prime.

Cheers

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R

I recently watched a feel-good Tamil series that I loved. It’s a limited series with only 6 episodes, but it’s really good. The story is about accepting a son born out of wedlock into a current family.

The series starts at Amudha Cafe, famous for its special sambar. The cafe owner, Rathinasamy, falls ill and tells his son that he had another son before this marriage. He asks him to find and bring this son back before he dies.

Karthi, the son from Rathinasamy’s marriage, goes searching for Yogi Babu. He happens to have different physical features, making it hard to believe. Yogi Babu runs a street shop in Chennai, also named Amudha Hotel, known for its chutney. Even the MLA stands in line for it! He lives a decent life with around 5 lakhs in savings. Karthi requests him to visit him once, but he is reluctant to come back to Ooty. Karthi kidnaps Yogi Babu back to Ooty to fulfill his promise to his father.

Once there, Yogi Babu sees that everything is named after his mother, Amudha. He agrees to perform all the rituals, and the series portrays the events from death to the last ritual, spanning about 13 days. The series captures beautiful scenes from a village in Ooty, though I’m not sure where it is. It’s not the main town but somewhere far, and they really capture the essence of it.

The series might seem simple, but the characters are well-developed and beautifully portrayed. Here are my thoughts on some key characters.

#Yogi Babu: He grows up hating his father because he never knew him. His mother, who taught him life skills, is his whole world. She was supportive, even when he didn’t do well in school. She taught him to earn through hard work. After coming to Ooty, he understands that his mother wasn’t the one to face the struggles. It happens to almost to every women. The character evolves as he sees many around people and their stories. His straightforward nature is brilliant, especially in his conversations with Karthi’s father-in-law and Sophie.

#Sophie: Although she isn’t the main character, she has her own principles. She stands up for her choices and has honest communications with others. Her hatred for her father, even after his death. I was surprised yet realistic.

#Karthi and Yogi Babu: Their conversations reveal the pure love between Rathinasamy and Amudha. Something requires understanding, right? There’s a mystery about why Rathinasamy married another woman. The healthy fight for better Chutney and Sambar. It was fun.

#Supporting Characters: Characters like Myna, Peter, Nithin and appu added charm to the story. It’s a pleasant series, suitable for watching with family. It has some comedy scenes and makes for a lovely weekend watch. The character of Karthi’s mother, who struggles to accept Yogi Babu, is also well-played. She finds it hard to accept Yogi Babu because she spent many solid years with Rathinasamy, and there was no way he would have cheated. His physical appearance also made it hard for her to believe the affair. With Rathinasamy no longer alive to answer her questions, doubts about all those years together start to surface. The anger and struggles was clear.

One scene I thought could be avoided is Yogi Babu fighting 5-6 men. Though he makes a sarcastic comment about it, I felt unnecessary. Overall, it’s a heartwarming series worth watching. Give it a try! It is available on Disney plus Hot star.

Cheers

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R

I was very reluctant to watch this movie. I first heard about it through a book review and knew it would be heart wrenching since it’s based on a true story.

The story revolves around a man, who by mistake ends up in desert. He was told that it was for an office job but ends up looking after sheep. This all happened a few years ago, in a time without phones. The narrative is beyond critique. It’s raw and real.

Prithviraj did an amazing job, clearly portraying the protagonist’s struggles. The supporting roles particularly Hakkim and Ibrahim were phenomenal. The movie really captures one key element, the presence of water. The old scenes had water (either as rain or river), while the present scenes are barren and dry.

The journey unfolds in four stages as per my observation.

#Inital Innocence: He arrives in an unfamiliar place, struggling with the language and weather, surrounded by strangers.

#Resentment: He begins to hate everything. The harsh climate, his boss, scare of water for daily activities and even the old man’s sayings.

#Tolerance: He gets used to his harsh surroundings, forming a bond with the sheep, the weather, and even the scarce water. There was a scene where he drinks water with the animals, as if he is one among them. He loses track of time, hope fading as he adopts the local attire and even forgets his own language.

#Renewed Hope: Once he meets Hakkim, things begin to change. Yet, you can see his bonds with the sheep and camels. The tears on the camel’s eyes when he was about leave. The presence of water, family and the sounds of vehicles, pushed him to move forward. When he finally reaches the city, a fellow people helps him.

There was a scene where he was not allowed to drink water by Ibrahim after finding a oasis. When I googled, it showed various risks of Hyponatremia, Gastrointestinal issues, Rehydration syndrome, Cardiovascular stress and more. This is mainly because of the imbalance in electrolytes in the body (Sodium and Potassium). It is advised to wet the lips first and then drink slowly so that the body utilizes the time to readjust itself from a dehydrated state to a hydrated one.

At the end, the trauma of meeting the cruel owner and the fear in him were very well shown even after escaping. The movie ends with him entering the flight with a smile. After the movie, I did watch the interviews given by real Najeeb and his family. His words had pain. His wife had dreams of him asking for water while he was away. His wife was still waiting for him.

This reminds me of a passage in the book “The Alchemist by Paul Coelho,” where the protagonist finds a girl and leaves for work. There was a line saying she was born to wait for him. He also mentioned having thoughts of killing the owner but worried he would end up in jail, or if he committed suicide, what would happen to his wife and kids. This gave him hope to survive.

Reading “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, I found similarities in how cruelty affects people. The hell they went through. Everyone had their family in mind, which kept them going. Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, I found similarities in how cruelty affects people. Everyone had their family in mind, which kept them going. It’s nice to know that we take care of and protect our families. The problem arises when we exploit others.

The movie doesn’t just focus on the physical survival but also on emotional journey, resilience and adaptation. This may be a story for us but he has lived through it. Sometimes, the best gift you can give your loved one is just to be alive. The movie is available on Netflix, give it a watch!

Ending it with

All the lives we have never experienced are just the stories to be shared.

Cheers

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turtles all the way down!

Sunandhini R