Cat Sticks

Cat Sticks by director Ronnie Sen is a black and white film based in contemporary Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. The film doesn't have a storyline in the sort of way like requiem for a dream, but is a more candid look in the lives of who are drug addicts. There are scenes which are stark cold and ironic like the father who does dope in front of their son, while the TV is singing some old bollywood song. He later after having put his son to bed, goes our trafficking and looking for money. Next we have the middle aged heroin dealer who is part of the narcotics and customs but sells them to college students. They have an almost satirical conversation, with many insider jokes and topics including the brutality of the police on suspects. And we have protagonist figure two friends who settle in an abandoned flight to smoke heroin. There story has a wider prtion that the other two.

I felt the characters lacked depth and were in essence following one scene to the other in apt repetition of their drug abuse. The camera had better coverage on the whereabouts and obfuscates certain alleys trying to capture a noirish atmosphere.

Though uncertain with their lives they live on the edges of drug abuse and poverty, struggling with losses. The film somehow doesn't make the audience engage to their inner feelings, so it is hard to feel any sympathy for them. Overall an honest effort.