10/39
In Mumbai, Prabha’s nurse’s routine is disrupted when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Her young roommate Anu struggles in vain to find a place in the city to get closer to her boyfriend… Director Payal Kapadia and the cast of All We Imagine As Light come together to share the most moving reactions from Cannes and more!. The first Indian film to win the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This film dramatizes the many problems faced by single women living in Mumbai and highlights their resilience. All the women here work as nurses in the same hospital, but that’s where the similarities end, as each has their own problems and solutions, so to speak. Desire, fear, regret and steadfast patience are the emotions that constantly replace each other as the story quietly unfolds. Perhaps the greatest asset is the screenplay, which offers unusually rich and thoughtful dialogues between the characters. The amount of action in the plot seems sufficient to provide a platform for conversations where people have room to be unusually honest and open with each other, even if they are lying or posing. The acting is equally excellent and fits the script – there are no false notes, although there are some irritating unfinished endings. 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 detachment is heightened at several points where the film seems to have elements of a documentary, or certainly feels that way. I wasn’t always thrilled with the music and how it was used, but that’s a small quibble that many may not share. I take issue with the other reviewer’s claim that this film was intended as “awards bait.” In my opinion, this film has too much heart and sincerity 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. And this film takes a lot of risks that I can’t imagine will be well received in an increasingly sectarian and puritanical India. I highly recommend All We Imagine as Light.
