satksri-92208 Reviews

Where the Tracks End (2023)

Sensitive, Beautiful & True to the core

[10/10 · 30 May 2023]

A simple tale- of kids, their struggling parents, a sincere teacher, and of the harsh realities of a make shift rail-road community. The story is close to life and brings out the best in the characters, despite poverty and inequities of rural life. It captures the wonder and the joy of growing up with friends. Ikal, the child, is brought back to the school as if by fate, where he had all this amazing time; The school needs him. He also meets his childhood love - and effortlessly slips into his new role as a teacher - something he always wanted to do- inspired by his late teacher Ms Georgina.

The unique thing about the movie is- it captures childhood without any hype. It makes no contrived effort to lead the story to a good end. Above all, it inspires the viewer to see GOOD in people and circumstances.

Inspiring Movie.

Sunny (I) (2021)

Solitude, suffering and the way forward

[8/10 · 13 October 2021]

It is a life affirming story painted against the well known backdrop of covid quarantines in recent times. Soon, other layers of existential crises begin to open up- subtly - in the life of this failed musician; deeply personal and painful complications of marital discord and business failures return to haunt the protagonist, while he is barely surviving the enforced solitude. Finally he, almost accidentally, turns to music, his real passion, his core -and survives the dark night of the soul. The slow but distinct change in his attitude brings around a change in the external circumstances as well. The man is singing again and has turned the corner.

It is not a simple movie about personal change but a cerebral and empathetic take on LIFE as it is- complex and messy, and hints at a profound truth: Our attitude to life, is the only variable, we can -and perhaps NEED to change, after all.

Jayasuriya has portrayed the sensitive, tormented musician very well. The music is so soothing - and very appropriate to the underlying theme. Ranjit Shankar and his team have been able to touch the core of human suffering and explore the unexpected resources within - in this 90 minutes treat!

I just wish Hindi audio too was available at Amazon prime!