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Black Friday (2004)
a raw, unflinching portrayal of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts
Black Friday, Anurag Kashyap's 2007 masterpiece, isn't a film for the faint of heart. It's a raw, unflinching portrayal of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts and their devastating impact. The film transcends the typical Bollywood format, opting for a gritty realism that throws you headfirst into the chaos and heartbreak.
Kashyap's brilliance lies in his storytelling. He weaves a complex narrative that follows the police investigation as they tirelessly hunt for the perpetrators, while simultaneously exploring the motivations and lives of those who orchestrated the attacks. It's a slow burn, but it allows you to understand the simmering tensions and societal fault lines that led to such horrific violence.
What resonated with me most was the film's portrayal of humanity. It doesn't shy away from the brutality of the bombings, but it also avoids demonizing the terrorists. Instead, it shows them as people, shaped by their circumstances and driven to violence by a toxic mix of hate and desperation. Kay Kay Menon delivers a powerhouse performance as the police officer leading the investigation. His stoicism and unwavering determination offer a powerful counterpoint to the emotional turmoil swirling around him.
Black Friday isn't an easy watch, but it's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It's a stark reminder of the human cost of violence and the importance of empathy and understanding in a world teetering on the brink. It's a film that compels you to question, to reflect, and to strive for a better tomorrow.
Gol Maal (1979)
tickles the funny bone and warms the heart
Released in 1979, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Gol Maal is a comedy that tickles the funny bone and warms the heart. Amol Palekar delivers a hilarious performance as Ram Prasad, a man who concocts a lie about having a twin to secure a job as a warden in a conservative household. The patriarch, Bhavani Shankar (played impeccably by Utpal Dutt), is a strict disciplinarian whose rigid personality clashes perfectly with Ram's clumsy attempts to uphold the charade.
Gol Maal is a laugh riot, with situations that snowball into comical absurdity. But beneath the surface of the slapstick humor lies a heartwarming story. The film celebrates the importance of family, friendship, and finding humor in everyday life. The camaraderie between Ram and his fellow characters, particularly the endearing Laxman (played by Dina Pathak), adds another layer of warmth to the narrative.
Even with its 1979 release, Gol Maal's humor feels refreshingly original. The witty dialogues and perfectly timed gags are sure to leave you in stitches. If you're looking for a feel-good film with timeless humor, Gol Maal is a classic that deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1957)
Testament to the human spirit's ability to change and the transformative power of compassion
Do Ankhen Barah Haath (Two Eyes Twelve Hands), a 1957 classic directed by V. Shantaram, isn't just a film; it's an experience. It's a poignant exploration of rehabilitation, humanity, and the power of second chances that stays with you long after the credits roll.
The story revolves around Adinath, a jail warden with a progressive vision. Unlike those who see criminals as beyond redemption, Adinath believes in their capacity for change. To test his theory, he takes a bold step: paroling six dangerous convicts and bringing them to a barren farm for rehabilitation.
The film's beauty lies in its portrayal of the convicts' gradual transformation. We see their initial resistance, their struggles to adapt to an honest life, and ultimately, the glimmer of hope that ignites within them. Adinath's unwavering faith in them acts as a catalyst, pushing them to confront their pasts and embrace a better future.
Do Ankhen Barah Haath is more than just a feel-good story. It's a social commentary that challenges us to question our perceptions of criminals. The film argues that punishment shouldn't be the sole purpose of the justice system; rehabilitation should be a crucial aspect as well.
Even decades after its release, Do Ankhen Barah Haath's message remains powerful and relevant. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to change and the transformative power of compassion. The film is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates classic Indian cinema, social dramas, or stories that celebrate the potential for good in every individual.
Peepli [Live] (2010)
A scathing social satire that blends humor with social commentary
Peepli Live (2010) is a scathing social satire that blends humor with social commentary to depict the plight of farmers in rural India. The story revolves around Natha, a debt-ridden farmer who contemplates suicide as a desperate measure to secure financial aid for his family. When news of his plan reaches the media, his village is thrust into the spotlight, transforming into a chaotic circus as politicians and reporters descend upon it.
Peepli Live is a masterclass in satire. It cleverly uses humor to expose the heartlessness of bureaucracy, the sensationalism of the media, and the political maneuvering that often overlooks the struggles of ordinary people. The film doesn't shy away from portraying the harsh realities of rural poverty and farmer suicides, but it does so with a sharp wit that compels viewers to laugh while reflecting on the underlying issues.
The strength of Peepli Live lies in its performances. Om Puri delivers a nuanced portrayal of Natha, capturing his desperation and resilience with equal authenticity. Nawazuddin Siddiqui shines as the ambitious news reporter who fuels the media frenzy. The supporting cast, including the actors portraying Natha's wife and children, add depth and warmth to the narrative.
Peepli Live is not just a critique of social issues; it's also a celebration of human spirit. Despite the hardships they face, Natha's family displays remarkable resilience and humor. The film ultimately leaves a lingering question: will humanity prevail over sensationalism and political expediency?
Overall, Peepli Live is a powerful and thought-provoking film that remains relevant even today. It's a must-watch for anyone seeking a film that entertains while prompting social reflection.
Little Women (2019)
A classic refined
The story is pretty much as it was in the book it is based upon, but the writer did take a few liberties and changed the dialogues a bit to make it more palatable for a new audience.
The story quite frankly centralized on one character Jo. While other incidents are shown but in context to this central character.
The narrative has been made non linear to leave a stronger impact but might not be to everyone's liking, especially those who don't already know the story.
Also, some features from popular movies, such as making the heroine chasing the departing love interest during the climax, have been added to make it more of a movie than a story that it originally was.
Compared to the earlier version filmed in 1994, this version was adapted for making it more relatable while still keeping it almost true to the original. I wouldn't call this version a redention of the original book, but more of a tribute.
Lilting (2014)
Past and Present
This is the story of Richard who starts to develop a connection with Junn, the immigrant mother of his deceased boyfriend, Kai. It focuses on how they try to understand the other through their present interactions. And also based on what they remember of how Kai cared for them when he was alive. The trust is even more difficult to build as Kai hadn't told his mother that he is gay. Richard hires a translator, Vann to help him communicate with her. He also hires the translator to help her communicate with Alan, a cohabitant at the old age home where she stays, who is interested in her.
It's a wonderfully paced movie, beautifully capturing the emotions that both the key characters feel. It shows how they help each other come to terms with their loss and how they start to understand each other's pain. Swinging between understanding themselves and the other, probably that is why it is titled Lilting. The final monologue by the mother is very beautifully written.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
The Power of Belief
I decided to watch this movie as it was directed by Mira Nair and I am happy that I did. It is based on a real story captured in a book by the same name. While I haven't read the book, the way the movie was made, it doesn't seem the makers tried to go overboard to make to over-dramatic. The story itself is very impactful. The movie takes us to a small fishing village in Uganda and gets us acquainted with Phiona, who along with her younger brother, sells maize in the market to support her single mother, who is trying to raise her 4 kids against all odds. One day she stumbles upon a club where Robert is training kids in the game of chess. He is a part time worker, whose life was changed by chess and he wants to give these kids the same chance. His vision is also supported by his wife, who is a primary school teacher. Phiona has a natural knack for the game and the rest of the story is how she grows proficient in the game, overcoming her obstacles. While it has all the general elements associated with any other movie of showing a child fighting to overcome all the odds and come out as a winner in the end, but the way it is shown makes all the difference. The game chosen here was chess, which is a game of tactics and strategy and it takes a different kind of preparation to be better at it. Thankfully, the movie wasn't about long motivational speeches, but was rather about believing in a better future and working towards it. The biggest obstacle that was shown in off hand remarks was the need to believe that the kids belong to the big league. When they are playing a game, they often think that they can't win because they are from a marginalized background, but once they are able to believe in themselves that they can, then they do it. While most of the actors did reasonably well, I think the most impactful role was that of Phiona's mother. She was shown as a strong mother, who is righteous and keeps fighting her circumstances everyday for her children.
My Birthday Song (2018)
Interesting story not told skillfully
It was an intriguing story that keeps one hooked till the end, however i had a feeling that it was not skillfully told. Frankly there wasn't any chemistry between the two characters that could make one believe that they would fall for each other. The acting from Sanjay and Nora was good.
It's best to watch this movie without watching any trailer.
The ending while it had a big twist, it was a messy. The movie fails to leave an impact at the end.
99 Songs (2019)
A musician's attempt at telling a story
I was excited about this movie since it was announced. After having watched his first production atkan chatkan, I was looking forward to a story written by Rehman. Thankfully it was a little less melodramatic. Ofcourse he is not a gifted storyteller, he knows the elements he wants to show, though can't weave them perfectly as of yet. Maybe that also impacted how vishesh decided to direct it. There were some elements of intrigue and humor and some interesting but unimpactful visual effects, but the narrative is a little difficult to follow and doesn't leave the desired impact. I think the songs and music were the biggest plus of the movie. Which is kind of expected. Like when remo decided to make a movie on dance, the best aspect were the dance sections, similarly the music was what complemented the movie so well. As is usual with rehmans songs, it is easier to appreciate the songs after watching the movie.
I think it is exciting to see Rehman trying to tell stories on music and musicians. Sad to see that he couldn't get a proper theatre releases, but I hope that doesn't discourage him from making more such movies and I also hope to see more movies being directed by Vishesh, he was expected to after creating something as good as "bring on the night".
Mee Raqsam (2020)
A father imparts lesson of life
"The father tells her desolate daughter, that the challenges they face is not because of her willingness to pursue her dreams, it is because of the small mindedness of the society, and that should not pull them back."
I would want to watch this movie again and again just for Danish Hussain's performance as the father that silently stands as a rock beside her daughter. He says as much with his silence as he says with words. The debutante playing his daughter supports him with an equally honest performance. The bond between the two is so beautifully portrayed.
The incidents and set backs are not shown just to accentuate the struggle of the protagonist, but to highlight the closed minds of a society that thrives by stereotyping. Yes, the movie doesn't have a very high production value, but it more than makes it up with the honesty with which it conveys the message.
Contrary to the flow of the movie, the climax was probably a little over-dramatic and maybe not as impactful. However, the dance performance was very innovative and well executed.
Bhonsle (2018)
Bhonsle : A Marathi who stands up for a Bihari
I was excited to see this new offering from the director after watching his previous movie "Ajji". This one however, is not as impactful.
It shows another old silent protagonist, Bhonsle, a Marathi constable who has retired from the police service and is terminally ill. He lives a mundane life doing his daily chores and is trying to get an extension on his service by a couple of years. Not much is said about his life to build up his character. He is just shown as being a respectable figure amongst the residents of the chawl where he lives.
The chawl has some non-marathi dwellers and a wannabe political worker, Vilas, who wants to break away from his life as a taxi driver, tries to entice the marathi residents of the chawl to push out the non-marathi residents. He is doing this on behest of a local politician. He keeps failing in achieving his objectives through his wrongdoings.
A young bihari nurse moves into the room adjacent to Bhonsle. She and her brother slowly befriend Bhonsle by helping out Bhonsle with his ailing health. He in turn starts caring for them.
When another attempt of Vilas backfires and he ends up being humiliated, he decides to take revenge and that enrages Bhonsle to finally stop his menace.
The director generally makes short films and I think he decided to make a feature film with the script of a short film. He stretches the narrative with his long shots and has made this into an arthouse film. It could have been much more effective as a half an hour long short film.
Sonata (2017)
An unadapted play
This is an adaption of a Marathi play, but it feels more like a teleplay than an adaption. As a movie it doesn't really add anything to make full use of the medium.
The whole movie is shot within a single living room of two friends who have been living together for 25 years. Aparna as Aruna and Shabana as Dolon, are two very different personalities that stick together while still be irritated with each others ways of doing things. Dolon is the happy go lucky banker, whereas Aruna is the very conscious Sanskrit professor. Also, a frequent visitor to their home is the Subhardra played by Lillete Dubey.
As the evening infolds in that room, they discuss and talk about what they think about each other, justify themselves and accept and care for each other, no matter what. It is a beautiful watch, but probably better as a play than as a movie.
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018)
Join the 'Fakir' on his journey
Before watching the movie I didn't know that it was based on a book. It seems to be an extraordinary story and one that keeps you engaged through out. Dhanush brings the much needed energy into the movie as the protagonist. He travels from the slums of Mumbai to Paris, falls in love with someone at the first place he visits, before being transported in a truck to London, only to be extradited in a flight to Spain, from where he escapes to reach Italy trapped in a cargo. There he becomes a millionaire, who flies off in a hot air ballon to land on a pirate ship that takes him to Libya and then from there he comes back to Paris and then back to India.
The twist and turns that make this extraordinary journey possible are not logical at times but still make the plot interesting and keeps the viewers engaged. Some parts like the romantic relationship that he pursues seem a little unconvincing, but other than that it is a fun movie, which is entertaining for most parts.
Premam (2015)
Love's labour Lost
The movie takes us through the three times the central character of George falls in love with someone and then loses them. The story in itself is not very powerful, but its presentation is what makes the movie very pleasing.
All the characters are well enacted, the cinematography specially during the first story is beautiful and what stayed with me even after the watching the movie were the songs and the music.
Joining George through this journey are his two pals, who support him through thick and thin. It is the situations that these guys find themselves in which brings in the much needed humor into the film. Other than that it is just a romantic tragedy kind of film. It shows how George understands love better during each relationship and grows after losing his lover each time. However, keeping in line the mood of the film, it shows him finally settling down with someone for a happy ending.
Filhaal... (2002)
Accepting and Living the Present
Life changes and throws us in a disarray and we need to accept and live through it. This movie shows how decisions taken to care of loved ones end up straining the same relationships. But one needs to live through it to accept it and let the love prevail.
The movie is about 2 best friends, Rewa (Tabu) and Sia (Sushmita) who want different things from life. Rewa gets married to Dhruv (Sanjay Suri) and wants to have a child, whereas Sia wants to focus on her photography career and keeps resisting the proposal from the enchanted Saahil (Palash Sen).
Rewa is in distraught after she suffers a miscarriage and comes to know she will never be able to become a mother again. Seeing Rewa's desire to have a child, Sia volunteers to become a surrogate mother for Rewa and Dhruv's child.
As time goes by, Rewa is jealous of Sia for all the attention and support she is getting because she is bearing a child. This coupled with the strain in Sia's relationship with Saahil because of her decision to become pregnant, complicates the interpersonal relationships between the main characters.
But they all go through the period and face their own emotions as well of each others and by the time the child is born, their love and care for each other pulls them through. Rewa is more appreciative of what Sia has done for her and Sia is more appreciative of how much Saahil's love mean to her.
This is a movie with the heart at the right place. The emotions and turmoils that each of the character faces is the essence of the film. It is beautifully shot and has excellent cinematography. Even after almost 2 decades the movie doesn't look dated. Lyrics from Gulzar are great but the songs aren't very impactful, even the background music is not complimenting the storytelling style.
The sloppy editing makes it difficult for the viewer to stay engaged, but the story just about saves the day. Also the characters of Sia and Saahil seem a little inconsistent and under developed. All the actors on their end play their parts earnestly.
The Sunlit Night (2019)
Did I reach where I had to?
Sunlit Night is about a journey of an aspiring artist to the northern edge of the world where the sun never sets, even at night (during the summer months she visits).
The movie starts with an young artist Frances's work being ridiculed by three pompous critics. In the next few scenes, we see her whole life being thrown into a disarray. As she questions her future as an artist, her boyfriend dumps her. When she visits her parents home (which doesn't have much space for her and her sister), she finds out that her sister is getting married and her parents are splitting up. Also, the artist residency she was applying for has been rejected. Thus, she is has no place to stay (except for sharing an airbed with her dad in his cramped up studio). Her agent tells her that there is an opportunity to be an assistant to an artist in oblivion (she even assumed he was dead) in Norway. With nowhere else to go, she decides to take up the opportunity.
She makes the journey to Lofoten to meet the artist Nils Auermann, an artist whose work hasn't received much acclaim and he now leads a secluded life in a fish-factory converted into a place where he lives alone. He is trying make his mark by painting a whole barn yellow and get it recognized as one of the highlighted piece of art in Norway. He has a month to complete the work and it would be then inspected by the Norwegian Art Institute. He brushes of all the attempts by Frances to create a connect and tells her that there is long hours of hard work ahead of her in the coming days as this project is very important to him. Over a period of time he realizes her effort is helping him meet the deadline and despite a having very different personalities, they compliment each other well.
The barn is in a modern viking village which has a viking museum and a viking community that try to live a traditional viking life. Frances tries to explore this community and ends up meeting Yasha, a baker from US who is here for his father's burial (who wished for a traditional viking burial). As she spends the moment where he comes to term with the grief of losing his father, she realizes the how a painting captures such a strong emotion, something she has never painted.
The work at the barn is done and she is working alone at the barn the night before inspection. Yasha comes over to tell her that he is leaving the next day. They end up having a passionate night and are lying there naked when the folks from the institute come in for inspection.
Frances realizing how she messed it all up for Nils, flees from the scene and then leaves for back home without meeting Nils. When back home, she gets a mail from Nils informing her that the barn has been accepted and releases her of her guilt. In a turn of events, her parents too decide not to split.
The movie ends with her showing some paintings she did while she was in Norway, to the same critics, who now think she is making progress. As she tries to summarize her experience in Norway, she contemplates if she was running away from her life, was she running towards it, did she mess up or did she make most of it or if she got where she needed to go? She is not sure what to make of it.
The movie was beautifully pictured, capturing some wonderful landscape and the music was complimenting well and the acting was reasonably good. The screenplay was adapted from a novel and didn't do justice to the story, probably providing too little a context for viewers to associate with. It looked patchy in places as one couldn't associate why some plots were shown in much detail and other weren't explored enough, especially the relationship that Frances has with Nils and Yasha were not sufficiently developed. It's aesthetically beautiful to watch and has the heart in the right place. Just wish the screenplay was a bit more comprehensive.
Yeh Ballet (2020)
Ballet in India
While it is always inspiring to watch a movie which shows underdogs coming out as champions, what was refreshing was a dance form that we dont often see in India. Although the movie was filled with cliches and there was a lot of things going on simultaneouslywith the central characters, but all was handled well and there was some humor in the way the characters reacted to the situations they found themselves in.
All in all it was a refreshing watch.
Chhichhore (2019)
College life movie, with a message
Excellent movie by Nitish Tiwari with a lovely message. It's about a group of hostel mates at an engineering college who are considered loosers in every aspect till the time they decide to take the matters in their own hand to try and win the inter hostel sports championship.
While the flashback to the college life is really fun to watch, i felt too much time was spent to create the context under which the friends come together after so many years and to deliver the message of the film. The relationships, specially between Sushant and shraddha's character didn't really come out well. Infact, we could have done well even without shraddha's character.
The movie has great humor and packs some good emotional scenes.
Bombay Talkies (2013)
Celebrating Storytelling in Bollywood
This movie was an anthology released to mark the 100 years of storytelling in Bollywood.
There were 4 directors who contributed with their pieces.
First up, Karan Johar, with his usual relationship jazz. While the story was not that interestingly told, i liked the effort put in by the actors.
Second, Dibakar Banerjee produces a gem of a performance by Nawazuddin. He steals the show with his humble performance as a failed actor who gets a chance to play an extra in a movie scene.
Third, Zoya Akhtar directs a cute piece about a boy who likes to perform dance and his pleasure when he gets n opportunity.
Fourth, anurag Kashyap. This one was actually storytelling. About a guys journey to Mumbai so that eh can give a murabba to none other than Amitabh Bachchan. Lovely screenplay, direction and acting.
Batla House (2019)
Excellent Courtroom Drama
This is an excellent narrative of a crossfire incident that an anti terrorism squad is caught up in. What ensues is the framing of the lead officer and his efforts to prove his innocence. What is interesting is that it shows varied perspective with a neutral tone, not taking any sides.
The narrative is enagaging, keeping me interested in the flow, specially the second half.
Acting is also good, not just by John but also the whole support cast. Music is ok, nothing great.
All in all a great watch.
Mission Mangal (2019)
Rocket Science dumbed down Bollywood Style
This was a movie with so much potential. It had a great cast and is based on an epic achievement by the scientists at ISRO. From what I have read, the critical milestones of the project that it has captured are true and I like the way they have been simplified in a non technical way for the audience. The production value was good and scenes showing the rocket launch and satellite's journey were really good for a Bollywood movie.
Where the movie fails probably is in the bollywood style narrative. Every female character has a challenge balancing work and life, (the male only has one problem that he is a virgin), unnecessary motivational drama around funding, bringing together a motley crew and motivating them to strive towards a common goal (as if it was a sports film) and these scientists have to clean and paint their office themselves etc. Too many things in the movie that makes an appeals to our Indianess.
Vidya Balan's character is good with some interesting dialogues, other support decently but probably Akshay Kumar was not really convincing. There wasn't an effort to create a character for him. It was simply Akshay Kumar leading the MOM project on screen. Coming from Amit Trivedi, the music was okish.
Ajji (2017)
The anger within
This is a gripping thriller about an aged lady, who suffers from knee pain and works as a tailor to support her household, which consists of her son, his wife and daughter. She is called Ajji by everyone.
Ajji's granddaughter, Manda, who is 10 year old is found dumped into a garbage bin after being raped. The parent's take it in their stride and decide to move on, after the policeman asks them to keep silent as the culprit is a politician's son, Dhavle. But Ajji is not ready to accept it. She takes care of Manda, bringing her medicinal herbs. She goes out every night to spy on Dhavle and, during the day, takes training on piercing through flesh from her friend who is a butcher and fancies her. She does all this without letting anyone in her family know about it.
While the story is very predictable and there are some logical flaws here and there, what keeps one engaged is the screenplay and performances of the actors. The audience can strongly connect with Ajji's character and wants to see how the revenge culminates. Sushama Deshpande's performance as Ajji is very nuanced and measured.
Pataakha (2018)
Sibling Rivalry
This is a comedy drama from the master storyteller, Vishal Bharadwaj. As with few of his previous films, the story is set in a rural set-up and has rustic dialogues that give a lot of character to the movie. The story is about two sisters, who just can't stand each other and always engage in fights with each other. They have a common friend, dipper, who always instigates them or creates scenario to get them fighting. Their father loves them and knows them, but doesn't understand how to stop them from fighting. Both sisters decide that the only way to get rid of each other is to get married and move off to another village. But as date would have it, unknowingly they both get married in the same household.
The story line keeps the audience engaged through out and the dialogues and ways in which the characters speak to each other is what makes it fun to watch. While no characters is developed in great depth, we can understand the motives and struggles of all the characters. The climax of the movie really impactful in delivering the message. The two lead actresses in the lead roles deliver a power packed performance. Sunil Grover as their friend and Vijay Raaz as their father really standout and can take a lot of credit for making this movie really entertaining. Music added a good flavor to the movie, but is not standout like Vishal's previous ventures.
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (2018)
Happy Go Around
This is a sequel to the film Happy Bhag Jayegi. While the first was set in Pakistan, this one takes place in China. The characters from the first movie are back as well, but the story revolves around a different Happy and her aide in China.
The entertainment factor in the movie is the comic conversations between Jimmy Shergill and Piyush Mishra. And the whole plot pretty much is put together around that, albiet with lot of loopholes. However, comedy at times is just slapstick. Sonakshi leaves no impact as the lead protagonist, leaving audience with not enough motive to root for her to come out of her troubles.
Sad attempt to recreate the success of the first film. Just not enough in it for the audience.
Blue Jasmine (2013)
Memoirs of a Trophy Wife robbed of her prestige
While if it is a comedy , then its pretty dark,
if its drama, then it lacks emotions
what it looks like it more of a tragedy.
The movie focuses on a Trophy wife, Jasmine, who was swept of her feet by Hal, a successful businessman 9 years older than him. She leaves her education and becomes the charming wife of the manipulative businessman who is making his way up, bending the rules. She is the admired socialite of his elite social circle in New York, hosting the best of the parties, knowing the who's who. She has confined herself to this world and her role in it. Her husband has been consistently been cheating on her and she has always assumed everything was fine. When she is told by a friend about it, she confronts Hal and to punish him, decides to ruin him by informing the authorities about the wrong ways of Hal's business. While Hal is arrested and commits suicide in prison, in the aftermath she is left penniless too . Having no place to stay she decides to come down to her working class sister who lives in San Francisco. She makes an effort to rebuild her life, but her efforts go vain.
The movie tries to entertain through supposed drama and comedy, as we follow her journey in San Francisco.
While the main character played by Cate with a lot of conviction, everything else around her lacks depth. While you want to feel for her character, the situations helping to move the story ahead is a little shabby. Due credit to the screenplay as it does well to tell the story through flashbacks and present moments in Jasmine's life.