This is an era where everything happens fast and social interactions are insidiously influenced by electronic gadgets and social media; an era in which we've grown accustomed to see films for their sheer entertainment value and instant gratifications...films where characters fall in love over lunch and everything is neatly tied up with a bow at the end of the film. I do like and have liked many of them, but it's exactly the reason why we should take a break to savor the slowly-cooked, highly satisfactory course that is "The Lunchbox".
This is a film where everything happens slowly, coolly and naturally: Sajaan, a sulky, guarded, lonely office worker in Mumbay receives a lunchbox with a homemade meal made by someone's wife (Ila) by mistake, which prompts a genuine and spontaneous exchange between them, which is carried out...by letter.
The exchange leads to both of them opening their hearts to each other, to make confessions and express their dreams. Slowly but surely a relationship of sorts develops as Sajaan's walls begin to crumble and Ila is able to glimpse a way out of an unhappy marriage.
There are poignant moments filled with silence and contemplation, as well as others of subtle humor as we accompany our protagonists in reading each other's letters and finding out more about the other. Additionally, Ila's dialogs with an aunt we never meet, and Sajaan's evolving relationships with a new co-worker further contribute to both the contemplation and the humor.
Like I said, things happen slowly and naturally, but not too slowly so as to say nothing. These people's lives are not rushed and neither is their exchange, but the director does a wonderful job not overdoing it...That's the beauty of this film: the pace is just right...every scene has a reason, every dialog makes sense, nothing is thrown in as a formulaic resource and we are left with an ending that will leave the viewer savoring the film long after the credits roll. I should say that this is not a film to get entertained. It's poignantly funny, but it's mostly a film of contemplation, superbly scripted and acted and that also allows us once again to get a glimpse of a different aspect of Indian culture (and food).
This is a film where everything happens slowly, coolly and naturally: Sajaan, a sulky, guarded, lonely office worker in Mumbay receives a lunchbox with a homemade meal made by someone's wife (Ila) by mistake, which prompts a genuine and spontaneous exchange between them, which is carried out...by letter.
The exchange leads to both of them opening their hearts to each other, to make confessions and express their dreams. Slowly but surely a relationship of sorts develops as Sajaan's walls begin to crumble and Ila is able to glimpse a way out of an unhappy marriage.
There are poignant moments filled with silence and contemplation, as well as others of subtle humor as we accompany our protagonists in reading each other's letters and finding out more about the other. Additionally, Ila's dialogs with an aunt we never meet, and Sajaan's evolving relationships with a new co-worker further contribute to both the contemplation and the humor.
Like I said, things happen slowly and naturally, but not too slowly so as to say nothing. These people's lives are not rushed and neither is their exchange, but the director does a wonderful job not overdoing it...That's the beauty of this film: the pace is just right...every scene has a reason, every dialog makes sense, nothing is thrown in as a formulaic resource and we are left with an ending that will leave the viewer savoring the film long after the credits roll. I should say that this is not a film to get entertained. It's poignantly funny, but it's mostly a film of contemplation, superbly scripted and acted and that also allows us once again to get a glimpse of a different aspect of Indian culture (and food).