Introduction –
The Mumbai version of Modern Love it seems is replicating its New York counterpart in terms of hits and misses. While some of the episodes or NY Times inspired stories are just about average there are others which fall below our benchmark of “Real Cinema”. My Lovely Wrinkles belongs to the former category. Interestingly, we have yet to watch an episode that provides that “Oomph” feeling, that punch and cinematic exuberance.
Synopsis –
Dilbar ( Sarika ) is a sixty plus Punjabi woman, an avid reader, a reviewer and a wine drinker. And yes, she also plays cards with close friends whenever time permits. The only element missing from her life is “Love” which she lost long back in a car accident, for which she blames herself. Dilbar has accepted the situation and the associated loneliness as a part of her life.
And then Kunal ( Danesh Razvi ) happens.
A young man in his mid-twenties, Kunal visits her house to learn the finer nuances of communication and acquiring professional tips on cracking a job interview. Although Dilbar considers herself as his mentor, Kunal has different feelings for her. For him, she is the epitome of confidence, of maturity and sensuality. He hands over a “Questionable”, self-drawn card of a woman clad in transparent clothes. Kunal’s action disturbs Dilbar. She does what anyone in such a situation would do. She asks him to leave.
However, the incident opens up her yearning for her lost love. She discusses the disturbing event with her friends who laugh it off. But then Dilbar starts missing Kunal. She even fantasies him in the bathtub and in bed. Days later she invites him again for a cup of coffee. Dilbar exploits this meeting to clarify her position; that they can continue to fantasize about each other and catch up over a cup of coffee but nothing beyond that as it would be ruin their unique relationship. Kunal agrees. He also suggests that she liberate herself from the past and start living once again.
Check out My Beautiful Wrinkles on Amazon Prime Video.
Analysis –
Young boy old woman love stories are not new in the cinematic world. There are dozens of films based on this theme. What makes this story unfulfilling is the confusion, the hesitation and the indecisiveness which is conveniently labeled as friendship / coffee buddies later. This confusion seeps into viewers’ minds. It leaves them discontented, displeased and disappointed. This is where creativity and introduction of newer ideas could have been exploited. Yes, we are aware that these concepts are based on NY Times Essays and therefore there is little scope for substantial tweaking.
Direction and cinematography is exactly in accordance with established norms. In other words, it is predictable, simple and ordinary. Had it not been for the extravagant settings the shot composition would have lacked depth.
Performances of Sarika and Danesh Razvi are just okay. We expected more from Sarika but somehow she failed to reveal the talented actor in her.
2022 Alankrita Shrivastava Alankrita Shrivastava 38 Minutes Amazon Prime Video