I Can't Think Straight

I Can't Think Straight
Saturday, September 12, 2009 14:06 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Cast: Starring Lisa Ray, Sheetal Seth
Director: Shamim Sarif
Rating: * 1/2

It's a pity that films about alternate sexuality have to come wrapped in diverting and or glamourised packaging. Hence Deepa Mehta's much-applauded "Fire" was not so much about lesbianism as about two neglected daughters-in-law in a crowded Delhi home finding comfort in each other's arms.

Even Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" was set in the Wild West, where apparently rodeos and ranchers have their own moral codes.

Where is that one modern film on alternate sexuality set in a normal humdrum place we all can recognise and be comfortable in?

Shamim Sarif's "I Can't Think Straight" is set in the urban jungle. And the most amusing aspect of the rather-flimsy plot is that the characters' genteel gestures of classiness are often shown to have desires and cravings that don't tally with conventional definitions of decorum.

So what do we have here? An upper class Muslim girl Leyla (Sheetal Seth) - soft, vulnerable and surprisingly in-sync with the character's sketchily-written inner world, whose snobbish parents (Dalip Tahil, Antonia Frering) are preparing for her lavish wedding when she meets Tala (Lisa Ray).

The bond that grows between Leyla and the mysterious, enigmatic enchantress Tala could have done with serious fleshing out.

The narration done in that breathy husky tone that women often adopt when trying to show they're in control, leaves out room for any deeper development beyond the surface gloss.

The film looks fetching, thanks to Aseem Bajaj's camerawork. The stately interiors of the homes and the jet-setters trying to look as if their suits are ironed while they are wearing them, give out the feeling of a film rich in texture. But alas, the content remains de-vitaminized, sapped of any life-giving energy.

Leyla's progression from self-denial to self-realisation is surprisingly devoid of pronounced punctuation marks. She lives in a world of SMS abbreviations rather than poetry. It's all done in one breathless take, in a manner of speaking.

Disappointing beyond the surface and empty to the core, "I Can't Think Straight" makes you wonder what the director was thinking...straight or otherwise. The film's release-timing is rather unfortunate. People would want to see Lisa Ray for all the wrong reasons. But we can't feel kindly towards the film just because Lisa is ill.
I Want To Talk Movie Review - A Bittersweet Tale of Grief, Hope, and Resilience!

Shoojit Sircar's films often delve deep into themes of grief, death, and the enduring hope that arises from life's darkest moments. His latest film, I Want To Talk, follows in the footsteps of his previous works like Piku and October, exploring loneliness, the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'The Sabarmati Report' Review - A Riveting Tale of Media, Politics, and the Godhra Tragedy!

Vikrant Massey makes a striking return to the big screen with The Sabarmati Report, a gripping film that revisits one of the most debated events in India's recent history'the Godhra train

Saturday, November 16, 2024
Devara - Part 1 Makes Waves at the Box Office with Rs. 77 Crore Opening Day Collection!

Devara: Part 1 made a remarkable entrance at the box office on its opening day, grossing Rs 77 crore across all languages, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The action drama, directed by

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Taaza Khabar Season 2 Review - A Missed Opportunity for Freshness!

The highly anticipated Taaza Khabar Season 2 featuring Bhuvan Bam returns with his character Vasant Gawde, diving into the world of fresh news updates. Alongside Bam, the show

Friday, September 27, 2024
Yudhra Review - A Bumpy Ride Through Action and Chaos!

Ehsaan Loy composing the music, all the elements seem to point to a cinematic success. However, in 2024, audiences have become harder to impress, and despite these heavyweights, Yudhra fails

Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT