12/48
In Mumbai, nurse Prabha’s routine is disrupted when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband
Her younger roommate Anu tries unsuccessfully to find a place in the city to be close to her boyfriend. The first Indian film to receive the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, this film dramatizes the many challenges faced by single women in Mumbai and highlights their resilience.
Desire, fear, grief and unwavering patience are emotions that constantly shift as the story quietly unfolds
All the women are nurses in the same hospital, but that’s where the similarity ends, as each has their own set of problems and, one might say, solutions. Perhaps the biggest asset is the screenplay, which offers exceptionally rich and thoughtful dialogues between the characters.
The acting is equally excellent and rises to the level of the writing – there are no false notes, although there are some irritating loose ends
The amount of action in the plot seems to be enough to provide a scaffolding for conversations in which people have the space to be incredibly honest and uncaring of each other, even when they’re lying or posing. The cinematography and editing are also quite good at creating an atmosphere that is reflective and somewhat detached, complementing the quiet intensity of the characters’ interactions.
The alienation is heightened in a few moments where the film seems to have documentary elements, or certainly creates such a feeling
I wasn’t always thrilled with the music and the way it’s referenced, but that’s a minor point that many may not share. I question another reviewer’s claim that this film was intended as “awards bait.” In my opinion, there is too much heart and honesty in this film to be classified as cynical or manipulative – certainly no more than any other film that tries to tell an important story in a compelling and beautiful way.
I highly recommend All We Imagine as Light
And this film takes many risks that I can’t imagine will be well received in an increasingly sectarian and puritanical India.
