Waiting

With echoes of Pedro Almodovar's 'Hable con ella- Talk to her' portraying two people connecting while their spouses are in coma, 'Waiting' can easily be the best film I saw in 2015. The complex ethical and moral dilemmas imaginatively depicted in 'Waiting' are made accessible to the viewer through excellent direction by Anu Menon, heartfelt acting from Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki Koechlin, and Rajat Kappor, tight editing by Niitn Baid and Apurva Asrani, and a haunting music score by Mikey McLeary. Doctor-patient relationships, end of life decisions, uncertainty of outcomes in patients in coma following a stroke or a road-traffic accident are some of the themes that the narrative challenges the viewer to contemplate and think about for a long time after the end credits roll. In spite of its dark themes, the film maintains a light humorous tone as a testament to the resilience of human beings that is both life-affirming and uplifting. As a practicing medical consultant, I was reminded of the blurred lines that can exist in doctor-patient relationships ranging from empathy, attachment / detachment, emotional engagement/ disengagement and lack of interest. In medical circles, the notion of 'difficult patients and difficult families' is a challenge that medical students and junior doctors have to 'manage'. Well-informed patients, who come equipped to clinics having read the latest literature on a medical condition, are another challenge that health-care professionals need to 'master how to deal with'. Trust and confidence between patients and doctors are qualities that many films portrayed in a bad light; 'Side effects, USA, 2013, directed by Steven Soderbergh', and 'Shutter Island, USA, 2010, directed by Martin Scorsese' are two examples. 'Waiting' manages to handle the evolving doctor-patient relationship between Shiv, Tara and the Professor (Rajat Kapoor) sensitively, as well as artistically and authentically; the heated arguments ring true, and the opposing points of view are portrayed for the viewer to take sides or remain neutral without sentimentality. Dr James Ruzicka is credited as co- writer and this insider's input from a hospital environment has certainly paid off to keep a 'reality check'. In one of the funniest scene in the film, the eminent Professor teaches his junior doctor how 'to communicate' with family members of patients under his care. The verbal and non-verbal gestures are an art to be mastered and followed without question. 'Waiting' exploration of the current debate around 'euthanasia- right to live- right to die' is well balanced and non-committal in posing more questions than answers. The film can also be read and enjoyed at so many levels, the central relationship between the older man Shiv Kumar (Naseeruddin Shah) and Tara Deshpande (Kalki Koechlin) is a master-class in analyzing the generation-gap and culture clash between old people used to posting letters and telephone conversations, and young people active on twitter, face-book and instagram. What starts off as a supportive relationship in Shiv and Tara finding comfort and solace in each other's company, develops into a deeper understanding of each other's viewpoint and poignant co-dependency. Since I saw the film premièring in December 2015 at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), I have highly recommended it to friends and some of my patients and their families too; in short 'it is a gem that should not be missed'.

Two people, waiting...... This is an apt one-line description of a film about life, lasting love and impending loss which explores a zone Bollywood doesn't bother with. Which is itself so refreshing that you want to champion the attempt, as well some of the outcome, even if it doesn't hit all the marks, all the way. Anu Menon's Diretion is simplistic, but effective. She has handled the film well. Cinematography & Editing are fine. Music by Mikey McCleary is lovely.

Performance-Wise: Naseeruddin Shah underplays his part & remains restrained throughout. Kalki is the star of the show. She's simply terrific, enacting a rather difficult, with flourish. Rajat Kapoor is brilliant in a brief role. Arjun Mathur & Suhasini Maniratnam lend good support.

On the whole, 'Waiting' is a well-made film. Do Watch!

Its really mindblowing to watch the movie which is very well scripted with great dialogue and conversation showing intellectual thoughts of a common man. It make you think deeply on relationships and friendship. A great work. Kudos to Anu Menon.

Anu Menon's 'Waiting' is A Nicely Done Drama-Comedy, that also comes packed with proficient performances. Its a heartfelt tale, told with simplicity.

'Waiting' Synopsis: Shiv (Naseeruddin Shah) and Tara (Kalki) form an unlikely friendship at an hospital, where their partners are battling for life.

'Waiting' has a strong emotional undercurrent, which makes the narrative heartfelt throughout. Watching the two protagonists express grief & moments of hope, is indeed absorbing. The only aspect that didn't work for me in this 93-minute film, was its culmination. Though not bad, I wasn't particularly impressed by it. A Better End would've only helped 'Waiting' more.

Anu Menon, James Ruzicka & Atika Chohan's Screenplay is heartwarming & engaging. Only glitch, as mentioned before, lies in its finale. Dialgoue deserve a special mention. They are very real. Anu Menon's Diretion is simplistic, but effective. She has handled the film well. Cinematography & Editing are fine. Music by Mikey McCleary is lovely.

Performance-Wise: Naseeruddin Shah underplays his part & remains restrained throughout. Kalki is the star of the show. She's simply terrific, enacting a rather difficult, with flourish. Rajat Kapoor is brilliant in a brief role. Arjun Mathur & Suhasini Maniratnam lend good support.

On the whole, 'Waiting' is a well-made film. Do Watch!

WAITING REVIEW :- I hope just like me most people have not heard and are not desperate to watch this Low Budget and Low Buzz Film. I missed watching this film in theater due to very low promotions and very low buzz but i read so many positive reviews and it forced me to download film and watch it. Believe me, after watching Waiting i regret myself that why i didn't watch it before. Waiting is Such a Beautiful and meaningful for which quality cinema are 'Waiting'. Simple story but class execution by makers made it A Classic Film. I'm super late to watch and write film's review but i just could not resist myself from sharing my views about film with you all. It would be my pleasure to talk about this film and its each fields in at least 1 sentence if not much. Film glued me from its beginning and thanks to short run time that film looked very pacy and that actually helped to leave powerful impact on me. Writing is Powerful, no doubts hands down. Screenplay is Fantastic, you won't even realise when Interval appears and when film finishes. Music is Disappointing, only 1 song is there in film which is not a Chartbuster but definitely a perfect situational song. Acting from Nasiruddin Shah is so natural that it doesn't even give you a feel that you're watching him in a shot film. Kalki Kocheline looks Sexy, but it is her Acting which snatched my attention more. Cinematography is normal but realistic. Dialogues works like a Magic, almost 90% Dialogues are in English, some abusing words might irritate you. Direction is Brilliant, he knew exactly what he wanted to show to audience and he succeeded in it big time. Some scenes like Alarm Scene, Coffee sharing scenes gives you a feel of watching an Art Film. Only Climax looked little bit messy and incomplete, i feel it could have been better. Overall Waiting is a MUST WATCH film for Classes. Masses should skip it as it is not their cup of tea, neither by Story nor by dialogues. I'm going with 8/10 Stars as i feel Waiting is Classic which failed short to Masterpiece Verdict, so in 1 Line Waiting is An Complete Award Material Film Do Not Miss.