‘All We Imagine as Light’ Movie Review: ‘Spirit of Mumbai’ finds a poignant reality in Payal Kapadia’s beautifully haunting film (Latest Exclusive) | 🎥latest

All We Imagine as Light Movie Review: It is indeed cruel to see Mumbai only as a city of tall towers, whereas the heart of this place lies beyond the skyscrapers – in a world where these are being encroached upon to make way for tall buildings and their artificial beautification. Is. As a character in All We Imagine as Light says, it is this world and its inhabitants who have created Mumbai: the workers, the immigrants who leave their native cities in search of livelihood, the hopeful aspirants and the romantics. Payal Kapadia’s Grand Prix-winning film also begins by giving a voice to immigrants, setting the stage for a quiet and poignant tale of love, friendship and togetherness. All We Imagine as Light review: Payal Kapadia directorial to premiere at Cannes 2024; Critics praised it as ‘a brilliant film’,

We imagine everything as light It revolves around two Malayali nurses – Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha) – who work in a government hospital in Mumbai and share a flat. Despite living together, both are completely different. Prabha is restrained and hardworking in her work, sadness always hovers over her. On the other hand, Anu is fickle and disrespectful. Their relationship seems less like a friendship and more like a brother-sister dynamic, with Prabha looking out for Anu’s best interests, or so she thinks.

Watch the trailer for ‘All We Imagine as Light’,

Prabha shares her weaknesses not with Anu but with the hospital cafeteria attendant Parvati (Chhaya Kadam). Parvati faces the threat of eviction from her house at the hands of an unscrupulous builder and his goons.

‘All We Imagine as Light’ Movie Review – Love, Loneliness and Companionship

Loneliness and companionship have different meanings for these three women. Parvati, a widow, fully accepts her loneliness, even rejecting the idea of ​​staying with her son and his family in their hopeless situation. Prabha, on the other hand, suffers from the loneliness that is imposed on her when her husband moves to Germany and stops contact for over a year. Her yearning for intimacy and connection is heartbreakingly evident in one scene, where she embraces a rice cooker – a gift from her husband – for comfort. Is this a sign of hope or an underlying message to move forward? This uncertainty makes him reluctant to reciprocate the interest of a kind-hearted Malayali doctor (Aziz Nedumangad) at his hospital. All We Imagine as Light wins Grand Prix Award at Cannes 2024: Netizens praise Payal Kapadia and her team for remarkable achievement, call win ‘historic’,

A still from All We Imagine as Light

For Anu, companionship exists but is full of challenges. Her parents put pressure on her to get married by sending her photographs of potential grooms. She can’t tell them about her Muslim lover, Shiaz (Hridhu Haroon), with whom she always seeks out secret moments and places, but they are never able to be fully intimate. A scene where their plan to meet at Shiyaz’s uncle’s house goes awry expresses her frustration at the lack of sexual satisfaction in her relationship.

‘All We Imagine as Light’ Movie Review – Stark Portrayal of Mumbai

The bustling city of Mumbai does not give these characters time to dwell on their emotional crises. Payal Kapadia captures the constant pace of the city, juxtaposing its residents’ struggles to cope with its almost neglectful nature. From waterlogged trains to land encroachment, life goes on. As Parvati poignantly puts it, this is not a city of dreams but a city Maya City – City of illusion. It tempts you but refuses to embrace you fully. The film’s portrayal of Mumbai, seen through the lens of someone who truly understands its essence, avoids romanticizing the twinkling lights, while capturing its vibrant nature and sleepy attitude with Ranbir Das’s almost documentary style. The cinematography is clearly captured (the film is shot in 1.66:1 aspect ratio).

A still from All We Imagine as Light

In the second part, We imagine everything as light The city and its three main characters get a brief respite from each other when they travel to Parvati’s village in coastal Maharashtra. Away from the urban chaos, Prabha and Anu (whom Shiaz follows) find the mental space to face their fears, question their realities, and address their oppression. Kapadia has interestingly included a touch of mysticism in a particular sequence, leaving the audience to ponder over its meaning. Once you understand that, it’s hard not to smile when the film ends with a beautiful sense of closure, as the characters come together in peace, elevated by an excellent musical score. Kiran Rao’s ‘Missing Ladies’ or Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’? Netizens fiercely debate India’s 2025 Oscar entry choice,

‘All We Imagine as Light’ Movie Review – Great Performances

The performances are uniformly excellent. Kani Kushruti and Divya Prabha play their roles with such conviction that their characters feel alive. Kushruthi has skillfully conveyed Prabha’s hidden pain and fear of insecurities through subtle expressions, especially through her eyes. In turn, Prabha balances youthful abandon with quiet anxiety about an uncertain future. Chhaya Kadam, as always, fills her role with authenticity, playing a woman whose sense of belonging in the city is inextricably tied to some legal papers. Hrudu Haroon, who has recently earned praise for Mura, is effective as the lovable Shiaz, while Aziz Nedumangad makes his limited screen time count.

‘All We Imagine as Light’ Movie Review – Final Thoughts

In We imagine everything as lightPayal Kapadia weaves a thought-provoking magical tale that depicts the fragility of human relationships amid the constant churn of a city like Mumbai. Based on the story of the lives of ordinary women grappling with loneliness, love and longing, she creates a deeply personal yet universally resonating story with a touch of magical realism. The film doesn’t offer neat resolutions or easy answers but embraces the complexities of its characters and their world. Don’t miss this if you are keen on meaningful cinema.

(The opinions expressed in the above article are those of the author and do not reflect the stance or position of The Latest.)

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