Goldfish review: Kalki Koechlin and Deepti Naval elevate Pushan Kripalani's emotional drama with powerful performances, but the film drags and drags.
Director: Pushan Kripalani
Cast: Kalki Koechlin, Deepti Naval, and Rajit Kapur
Where to watch: Theatres
Rating: 2 stars
It is said that a goldfish's memory lasts for only three seconds and thus, Goldfish is a perfect title for a film in which one of the two central characters suffers from the onset of dementia. But, as it has been scientifically proven that goldfishes can actually remember things for much longer time span, the film falters just as its title.
Kalki Koechlin is Anamika aka Ana aka Miku, who returns to her mother Sadhana Tripathi, a veteran artist played by Deepti Naval, after she learns that the latter is at the onset of dementia. The two haven't spoken to each other in years and as this unexpected situation draws them closer, old wounds and secrets unravel in their complex relationship. Added into the mix is their neighbours on the London street, with distinctive characteristics, and Ashwin Raina, an underutilised Rajit Kapur, who owns a nearby grocery shop and has much more to do with Sadhana's life than what her daughter had imagined.
Goldfish, directed by Pushan Kripalani and written by Arghya Lahiri and Kripalani himself, attemps to touch the issues of identity crisis and forgiveness with an emotional, layered script. Set during the period of Covid-19, the film's atmosphere and setting has been well chosen to show two souls in search for the love and meaning in their lives.
However, the film suffers from its pace and narrative. Even at a length of well under two hours, Goldfish drags and drags. The film failed to captivate me and engage me throughout its entire duration. The film meanders in its screenplay and loses its objective in the last one hour. With a half-baked central plot, the film is survived by its two brilliant performers.
Deepti Naval and Kalki Koechlin are excellent in their roles and portray the complex relationship of a mother-daughter beautifully. The two actresses bring out the nuances in their characters brilliantly on screen and it doesn't feel like they are 'acting' for a bit. It is for their powerful performances that I could feel invested in the film.
Pushan Kripalani's Goldfish is a solid attempt at taking a mature look at the family dynamics, but fails in its execution and unlke its title, gets drowned in the waters.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Goldfish/Kalki Koechlin Instagram")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}