“There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable” said #MarkTwain. What I really like about the movie that we are reviewing today is that it deals with a very uncomfortable subject and it does that aesthetically, intelligently and most importantly, has complete control on the conclusion. Most movies that deal with sensitive issues tend to peter out or get preachy and that is so off-putting!
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews a delightful little offering on #NetflixIndia; this is #RohenaGera’s #IsLoveEnough?Sir. First featured at Cannes in 2018, this is a tale of character, situation, circumstances, dignity, poise and social class. US returned male architect Ashwin (#VivekGomber)’s engagement comes undone and he returns to his apartment in Mumbai. His maid, a young widow Ratna (#TillotamaShome) is called back from her village to look after the household. What follows is a series of events that show mutual respect transitioning to friendship and something more. It is a story of soulmates divided by societal norms.
I think the first thing that struck me about this movie is the effective use that #Gera makes of silence and the long pauses. In a theme like this, a lot more is left untold. I wonder how many Indian movies leverage silence in this manner. This also gives the film a noise simmering flavour; it is almost as if loneliness and emotional turmoil do not understand class divisions!
The other aspect of #Sir is how good #TilotamaShome is. Remember her in #MiraNair’s #MonsoonWedding? Here she is terrific as the household help and literally hits the ball out of the park with her performance. She is poised and confident. She is seen concerned about providing for the education of her younger sister. The scene where she is travelling back home on the bus and removes her bangles is another nice touch. She is vegetarian and struggles with cooking mutton but manages to handle this. As I reflect on the character of Ratna, I think the best thing is that her actions are not preachy; there is no dialogue that suggests that the viewer is being fed a social lesson.
Ashwin (#VivekGomber) is shown as a pleasant person. He thanks Ratna for all that she does. Besides doing the cooking and tending to the household matters, she also protects him from his own mother on the phone. The simple point here is that Ashwin knows he is privileged but thinks nothing of it. Ratna dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Ashwin is matter of fact about it and encourages her. He sees no reason why she cannot realize her dreams.
There are many other nuances to the film. The interaction between Ratna and her friend Laxmi Tai (#GeetanjaliKulkarni) is endearing. The cast also includes #RahulVohra, #ChandrachurRai and #AnupriyaGoenka.
My initial sense was that #isLoveEnough?Sir is a simple film. But as I got enthralled in the simple actions, the silence and the maturity with which the treatment is handled, I realised that this is actually a very unusual and courageous foray into less chartered territory. Two scenes that made me think and reflect. First, is the scene where Ashwin’s mother asks Ratna to come and help out with a party. As Ratna walks around serving the guests, no one even pays her a second glance. If the circumstances were different, Ashwin would most likely have done the same! In the following scene, Ashwin enters the kitchen where all the servant folk are eating their dinner and asks Ratna if he should wait for her. This makes Ratna the butt of jokes of her co-workers. And therein lies the essence of why such forbidden love is seen as anthema in our society.
The other scene is how Aswin and Ratna are visualised inside the house. Ashwin is in his spacious, well-appointed room while across the wall, Ratna is seated in her cramped servant room. Only the camera can travel across the wall in a metaphorical manner.
I love the fact that both Aswin and Ratna are well-meaning individuals with utmost respect for each other. Ratna guides him on various aspects - getting on with life, not venturing down the path that he imagines with her. He, in turn, just wants to offer help as he would a friend of his class. In the final scene, Ratna manages to address Ashwin by his name and it is almost as if the surreal night brings them together on an equal platform. What an elegant end to this difficult narrative!
