chkhyati Reviews

Crashing (2016)

Convoluted plotlines, unsatisfying and nonsensical ending

[3/10 · 29 January 2024]

A lot of potential in the characters is wasted on nonsensical comedy, some storylines build up to what seems like something but all crash in the midst of comedy and silliness which never stops.

Characters are made unnecessarily complex and non linear making it hard to root for absolutely anyone. Ultimately nobody cares about anyone not even themselves.

The main character Lulu is not likeable at all as the writer keeps going back and forth on what she wants which is not made clear till the very end. A better defining of characters and their motivations could have done this series some good. Disappointed.

Ginny Weds Sunny (2020)

What was I thinking, I cannot give Netflix India more chances. Honestly.

[2/10 · 21 October 2020]

Well of course you know who Ginny will choose when the movie is named 'Ginny weds Sunny'. I wasn't expecting any suspense on that but still watched for Vikrant and Yami. Neither of them could give anything to remember. Their characters are as cliche as could be. There is no nuance, no subtlety. The excessive involvement of parents in their children's love story is cringy. The very starting point of the movie- the need for Sunny to get married to open his own restaurant doesn't make any sense. The characters try to redeem themselves by trying to understand and respect the heroine's choices and decisions, but that doesn't come without throwing another girl under the bus. The scriptwriters just mixed all cliches and sprinkled them with tacky songs.

Waiting (III) (2015)

Simple heartwarming movie on love and grief

[9/10 · 8 August 2020]

The movie explores the topic of life, grief and reconciliation as two starkly different individuals come to terms with their reality while taking care of their comatose partners. The best thing I found about this movie was its subtlety and simplicity. I was afraid that it might be too preachy with a narrator in the background giving some life philosophy but gladly there wasn't any. There is enough room for each viewer to interpret the message in their own way.

Kalki Koechlin and Naseerudding Shah deliver strong performances. The character that stood out for me was Dr Malhotra played by Rajat Kapoor, a strong, decisive, experienced doctor.

Although a very narrow range of issues are covered, the movie has a very organic feel to it. Tired of watching melodramatic, sappy, on-the-face movies on similar topics, this one was a refreshing watch.

Loving Vincent (2017)

Paintings coming to life to tell his story

[9/10 · 18 June 2020]

Loving Vincent is the story of the troubled gifted artist Vincent van Gogh. The sheer amount of hard work, determination and adoration to the great artist and his masterpieces put in this movie makes it a masterpiece in itself.

For anyone who knows more about Vincent van Gogh apart from the man who cut his own ear will enjoy this movie. And those who don't should watch it to understand the magnitude of his talent and miseries at the same time. I had always looked at his works and tried to understand the use of colours, the emotions he was trying to display and the pain he expressed in his marvels like the Night Cafe, The Starry Night, Sorrowing Old Man, portrait of Dr. Gachet, Margaret Gachet and postman Joseph Roulin, Watching these paintings come to life and start talking to tell his very story is a surreal experience. Besides the astonishing fact that each and every frame in this movie is hand painted by oil on canvas, the movie has a gripping story, talented actors and does justice in telling the story of the one of the greatest painters that ever lived. The way the expressions came off so flawlessly just amazed me.

While it explores the various theories and questions people had in mind about the exact occurrence of his death, it ends on a positive note. It makes the viewers marvel at his talent, pity at his poverty despite being hugely talented and wonder what could have happened to him during his life.

Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008)

The good old days of simplicity and substance

[9/10 · 25 April 2020]

I watched the movie again on TV today (during the great COVID 19 lockdown) and was impressed by the fact that the movie is a lot deeper and meaningful than it seems to be. I had watched it when I was 7-8 years old and now that I am 19, there has been a great difference in my understanding of the movie (as the case should be). I enjoyed the movie then and I enjoyed it today as well and ended up wishing Bollywood produced more movies like these (sigh!). It reminds us of simpler times with original music and less flimsy costumes and sets.

With Shreyas Talpade as the lead Mahadev, Amrita Rao as his childhood crush who is married to Banshi played modestly by Kunal Kapoor. Ila Arun and Ravi Kishan provide well timed comic moments. The talented Ravi Jhankal plays the ambitious hijra contesting the village elections. My most favorite character of all is Vindhya played by Divya Dutta with her high pitched voice and bhojpuri accent, though not a significant part of the storyline, is impressive as a feminist and realist.

Mahadev is one of the few literate residents of a village with a majority of illiterates, so he takes up letter writing as a profession. Eventually he starts writing letters for her friend Kamala - sometimes crossing the limits of professionalism The film explores the meaning of true love through seemingly simple characters, some of whom do have a dark side. I won't elaborate further on the story and spoil the viewer experience. The satirical take on politics has also been played seamlessly within the story with a unique emphasis on the role of hijras in it, which haven't received much representation in the political scenario in movies.

For someone who likes simplistic movies with more emphasis on the feelings of the characters and less on action and sets and costumes, this movie will be a delight to watch!

Little Women (2019)

A delightful and satisfying watch

[9/10 · 20 April 2020]

As Louisa May Alcott wrote "I've had lots of troubles so I write Jolly tales". Little Women is a jolly tale and a jolly good one. It is a sweet and satisfying tale of 4 young women or the 'little women' as their father calls them. Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth all display desirable qualities and yet are unconventional and unique. No character is unidimensional, neither can we label Jo just as the free spirited young writer nor Amy as the tomboyish vengeful girl - because later you realize that Jo is sensitive and can expose her vulnerabilities while Amy can be considerate and ambitious at the same time. And the dimensions of emotions in this adaptation has been flawlessly played by its stellar cast - Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan and it doesn't end here. The costumes and the mannerisms of the late nineteenth century are a delight to watch.

Despite being an adaptation of such an old novel, the little women with their great ambitions, determination, struggles and dilemmas are both surreal and relatable

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Will put a smile on your face

[8/10 · 26 December 2019]

It's a really sweet film, digs deep into the meaning of friendship. Shia's acting is amazing. The movie depicts strength and vulnerability at the same time perfectly balanced with emotions. It is pure sweetness and hope with no unnecessary love stories. Loved it!