Movie: Waiting
Direction: Anu Menon
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki Koechlin, Rajat Kapoor
Music: Mikey McCleary
Cinematographer: Neha Parti Matiyani
Editor: Nitin Baid, Apurva Asrani
Genre: Drama
Rating: ∗∗∗∗
What is it about: This film is based on two individuals who bump in to each other at the waiting room at a hospital. One thing they have in common is their loved ones are struggling for their life, both from different walks of life and generation. How these two befriend each other while nursing their loved ones forms the crux of the story directed by Anu Menon.
Why it’s disappointing: There’s nothing disappointing about this flick.
What to watch out for: It’s a challenge when the story has to move around mostly between two characters the entire time. Anu Menon made that journey a lovely one. The characterization of Nasseruddin Shah was perfect which was in contrast with Kalki’s. It was delight to watch how they were pit against each other with their generation gap and how they get along sharing their wisdom from their walk of life.
The story is an emotional one, which most of us have gone through in real life. Waiting for someone who you love the most lying in the hospital, when the others are outside waiting for the recovery. This is one of the dreading situation anyone could go through. Anu Menon broke that treacherous journey and explained in stages which in fact helps you cope up with the situation. It was a beautiful notion when an Atheist gets to terms and chant, shows how much they love that person.
The performances were at a resolved level. Naseeruddin Shah was spectacular whose experience and wisdom reflects through the character Shiv Nataraj. He brings a great amount of grace to the character which is warm and mature. That was perfectly matched by Kalki Koechlin’s expressive performance, she was immensely genuine in reflecting her on screen character. She created an amazing aura, which makes this friendship on screen the most lovable one.
The way the friendship evolves between Shiv and Tara was beautifully etched with amazing elements. Even when they fall apart, there was an honesty in that difference. Shiv with no idea of Twitter and Tara with no idea how to cope up with grief. This definitely shows the generation gap, and is a thought provoking.
The cinematography by Neha Parti Matiyani was breezy and had a relaxed tone, which gives you a great feel watching on screen. The film had limited locations and Patri played it well keeping it simple. The film was perfectly edited by Nitin Baid & Apurva Asrani. It had a mellow score from Mikey McCleary.
Verdict: Anu Menon took a complex subject of individual grief and presented in the simplest way, which gets deep in to your heart. To lose someone is the worst which could happen and this was perfectly narrated with two central characters, who were masters of their performances. Definitely worth a watch, don’t miss this wonderful movie which may teach you one or two things about love and grief.
