~Tumbbad movie review and BO updates~ - Page 5

What a terrific idea. The main theme of greed was presented well. Concept was well thought out. Execution wise the look and feel of pre-independence era was on point. Soham Shah played his character with utmost conviction!

So over the year end holidays I decided to catch up with all the top critically acclaimed films of the year and was delighted to find a good print of Tumbbad. I watched it yesterday night and since then I havent been able to stop thinking about the film and all the rich imageries in it.

Its probably because Tumbbad comes closest to the actual nightmares I have in real life: dimly lit labyrinths of corridors, tunnels and wells, a gruesome old woman in chains, and perpetual rain. This film is worth watching for the visuals alone: a tree growing out of the body of a hag who has been abandoned on a dilapidated hill-top house, repeated motifs of brahmins smothered with flour, descents into a red, fleshy womb-like cave and many more. But Tumbbad does more by marrying the stunning cinematography (the best of the year, I believe) with a compelling story (a morality tale) and a taut screenplay. The film is also very balanced in its pace; never in its run-time did a moment feel out of place to me.

The only criticism that I can think of, is the climax. Its not bad by any means; infact the scene towards the end where the consequence of bringing multiple dough dolls into the cave is realized, made my stomach jolt. The final showdown in the cave is also riveting to watch. But I couldn't quite make of what would happen to Vinayak's son. Does he have a change of heart and stop becoming greedy? Now that would be unrealistic as human beings are sinful as ever and never learn from mistakes. Its just that given how metaphorical the entire film is, I was expecting a more subtextual ending.

Thats a minor gripe though. With all its eerie-ness and originality, Tumbbad is the most satisfying watch I have had this year. 4/5 for me.