Highway Bengali Movie
Let's play a game. Let's start as strangers once again. But the game will only end when I say 'game over'.
The idea of a game play is definitely interesting and creates a challenging space too. But not all games are played with equal expertise. Director Sudipto Chattopadhyay has tried to play a game on screen with his game imbibed narrative. But unfortunately the game is not exciting enough and within the first 15 minutes of the film almost reveals its content much before the actual game was over.
Koel (Sohini) and Parambrata (Ashwin Kapoor) are married for 4 years now. And each year they come to celebrate their anniversary at Darjeeling, the place where they actually met for the first time. But the fourth year actually awaited a twist and a few character coincidences. Within the backdrop of different characters, their personal stories, their angst, losses and joys, the couple begins playing a game.
The idea of the game is fine, the concept is fine. But why the name Highway? The film's name should actually encompass all the aspects of the narrative but unfortunately 'Highway' has no significance in the film and does not justify the storyline at all.
The director has been wise enough to select three powerful actors for the film. With Koel Mallick, Silajit and Parambrata holding Highway on their shoulders the film will at least see it through to the second or third week. The film has its own problems of continuity as well. And cinematography was indeed not a problem with Darjeeling as the backdrop. Overall the rating is not for the director or the narrative as such, but for the acting, cinematography and nothing else.
Decent attempt. But nothing extraordinary about it. A ridiculously simple narrative that has been essentially, crafted to produce some extraordinary results. Alas!
