Sangeeta Datta can’t be accused of lacking ambition with this debut study of a family coming to terms with loss. She packs in references to Shakespeare, Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, as well as countless musical styles, to show how cosmopolitan exiled Indians have become. But, she also examines prejudices, as sisters Mukulika Banerjee, Neerja Naik and Soha Ali Khan all find love outside the norms (with an English banker, a lesbian and a Muslim) and miss their mother’s (Sharmila Tagore) ability to make doctor father (Girish Karnad) see reason. Some may find the acting a little stiff, the tuneful soft-focus reveries twee and Datta’s determination to discuss contentious topics a bit forced. But this is a touching and sensitively cinematic drama.
Life Goes On Review
When his wife Manju dies suddenly, Sanjay (Karnad) is suddenly together with his three daughters. Over the next five days, between the day Manju dies to day of the funeral, the family must deal with the painful aftermath.
Release Date:
11 Mar 2011
Running Time:
120 minutes
Certificate:
12A
Original Title:
Life Goes On
The acting isn't always up to scratch but Datta's highbrow approach to grief makes for cerebral viewing and there's plenty of pathos too. A touching, thoughtful film.
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