Walk down this address
15 Park Avenue ***
Dir: Aparna Sen
Cast: Waheeda Rehman, Shabana Azmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rahul Bose and Shefali Shah
What it's about
After a hiatus of four years, Aparna Sen returns to celluloid with one of the most sensitively handled movies in recent times. 15 Park Avenue is about a family in Kolkata, afflicted by pain and helplessness.
Anu Mathur (Shabana) is a college professor living with her mother (Waheeda) and younger sister Mitali (Konkona). Mitali suffers from schizophrenia and Anu is her caregiver — nobody else in the family is willing to look after her.
Suicidal by nature, Mitali's delusions revolve around her agonizing past. She's been in love with Joydeep Roy (Rahul Bose) who deserts her after she gets gangraped. The trauma of the emotional betrayal affects her more deeply than the physical abuse.
After one such life-threatening attempt, Anu takes Mitali to Bhutan on a vacation where they encounter Joydeep, who's now married to Laxmi (Shefali).
Mitali's distressing condition disturbs Joydeep and when she fails to recognize him, he feels responsible for her state. He befriends her again and promises to help her find her way — even when he knows the road is leading nowhere.
What's hot
For a quality-starved audience, 15 Park Avenue is like a blessing — indeed, a smashing way to begin the New Year. Sensitive and poignant without an overdose of emotions and melodrama, director Aparna Sen strikes the perfect note yet again.
The sluggish pace of the film is surprisingly soothing and Sen particularly excels in establishing the intricate bonding between the two characters. Sen treats every relationship with special care — Anu-Mitali, Mitali-Joydeep, Joydeep-Laxmi, Anu-Dr Kunal (Mitali's doctor) — each one is distinct in its own way, despite the length.
Anu's longing for her own happiness is extremely soulful as is Mitali's constant voyage between two worlds. Every character is somewhat flawed and has wronged someone in some way; the beauty lies in Sen's interpretation.
Hemant Chaturvedi's cinematography is exceptional; particularly the way he plays with light in the indoor sequences. Dialogues are crispy and effective; Sen makes sure her actors don't sound like reading an English textbook.
Though Konkona is the main protagonist, it's the sheer magic of Shabana Azmi that engulfs you right from the first frame.
She has that awesome power to transform even simple scenes — her telephonic chat with Sanjeev (Kanwaljeet Singh); her breakdown in her mother's presence; her hushed attraction for Dr Kunal (Dhritiman Chatterjee) — the film is a virtual showcase of her incredible genius — truly a National Award winning display.
Konkona is outstanding and matches Shabana at every step. The angst of Mitali couldn't have been better represented. Her performance is stark, real and unsettling – watch her shrink away in the scene after her rape, when she realizes Joydeep isn't the same anymore.
Or even the introductory scene with Shabana where she's looking out for a non-existent address. Rahul Bose is good and it's nice to see Waheeda Rehman after long. Shefali Shah is the surprise packet; she has a handful of scenes but makes a lasting impact. Dhritimaan Chatterjee is simply brilliant.
What's not
With Aparna Sen, you expect to be in perfect order and that's why even a trivial oversight makes a difference. The scenes between Mithi and a crazy beggar-woman look somewhat forced.
The remarks on Saddam Hussein get on your nerves after a while and evoke unintended laughter than compassion. And why do Rahul's kids look phirang when the parents are Indian? The climax is abrupt; Sen leaves it open for your own judgment but it makes the ending look incomplete.
What to do
Forget the slow pace — it's fine cinema topped with awe-inspiring performances by Shabana and Konkona that you can't miss.
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