Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 143
October 12, 2023
A Good Day to be a Dog Episodes 1, 2 Review
Han Hae-na is a high-school teacher who lives with her sister and belongs to a family with a generational curse – they turn into a dog at midnight if they kiss somebody! So she is constantly getting dumped by her boyfriends due to her ‘no kissing’ clause. At age 28, when she accidentally kisses a colleague in a drunken stupor, Han Hae-na has 100 days to reverse the curse, or she will remain a dog forever.
Based on a webtoon of the same name by Lee Hey, the Korean series “A Good Day to be a Dog” is a fantasy-romance starring Park Gyuyoung as the lead, Han Hae-na, who is cursed and unable to kiss anyone. Hae-na has a crush on the adorable History teacher, Lee Bo-kyeom (Lee Hyun-woo), but keeps her feelings to herself. One night, while out for dinner with her fellow teachers, she becomes overly intoxicated and mistakenly kisses Jin Seo-won (Cha Eun-Woo) because he was wearing Lee’s jacket. As a result, she transforms into a dog that night and needs Jin’s help to rectify the situation, even though he appears to dislike her.
The primary plot of “A Good Day to be a Dog” is completely explained in the first episode, along with the basic introduction of all the primary characters. First off, fans of the original webtoon will have plenty of reasons to rejoice because the makers of the live-action adaptation largely stay faithful to the source material, with just a few minor tweaks here and there. For example, in the webtoon, Hae-na makes it back home before her first midnight transformation into a dog, but in the series, her transformation takes place outdoors. And just like the webtoon, all characters are very good-looking, but I would’ve preferred if all of them did not look like K-pop idols or models. “Do people have to be handsome to become teachers these days?” a character jokes in the show, which was definitely funny, because all the teachers are indeed too shiny.
Cha Eun-Woo doesn’t seem like the best choice to play a math teacher, he is drop dead gorgeous and doesn’t look much older than the actors cast to play high-school students in the series. Lee Hyun-woo is a lot more goofier than Che Eun-Woo and could’ve been the lead instead. “Based on the first two episodes, Cha Eun-Woo appears better suited for roles as an action hero, a historical prince, or as the lead in a romantic drama that complements his looks, similar to his previous works such as “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty” and “True Beauty.” I’m not saying he should be typecast, but he does seem a bit miscast for this show. It’s the script’s inherent comedic elements that make things work for his character rather than his own performance. On the other hand, Park Gyuyoung is much more animated and amusing as Han Hae-na, with great comic-timing, making her character a lot more fun. Ryu Abel plays her spunky sister, who has limited scenes but is quite endearing as the protective sister looking out for Han Hae-na, although it’s her best-friend Song Woo Taek (Cho Jin Se) who does most of the heavy-lifting when is comes to helping the cursed sisters out.
The scenes where Hae-na turns into a little dog are super-cute, some of them require special-effects, which were also executed well and add to the comedic mood of the story. However, at 60 minutes, the writers aren’t able to maintain the comedic tone or interest for the full hour and perhaps each episode should’ve been trimmed down to 45 minutes. In the second-episode for example, there’s a long-drawn sequence of Hae-na going to an escape room with Jin, Lee and another teacher, which was supposed to have funny moments, but fell pretty flat.
Regardless, “A Good Day to be a Dog” seems to be a fun enough series for those who want to see a fantasy-romance with a dash of comedy. It’s not rib-tickling, but is still pretty amusing, with a very good looking cast to boot. Besides, there are probably a whole lot of K-drama fans, who’d just be streaming this for Che Eun-Woo!
Rating: 7 on 10.
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Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)
Bon Appetit – Quick Series Review
This Korean romance was cute and fluffy until all the silly misunderstandings in episode six ruined it all. Okay, maybe “ruin” is too harsh a word, but it was entertaining until a point, and then it wasn’t.
Directed by Hwang Kyu Il, 2023 Korean romance “Bon Appetit” stars Yoo Jung Hun as overworked marketing manager Doo Hoon, who survives his days with convenience store food, however, warm meals make their way to his life when chef Lee Yoon Soo (Lee Ki Taek) moves next door. As the two share meals, they grow closer, viewers learn they attended the same university and Lee Yoon Soo has quite the crush on his neighbor.
Well, there isn’t much of a plot in this eight-episode series, but the banter between the leads and Doo Hoon’s office shenanigans make the first half a relaxed, laid-back watch. Lee Ki Taek is charming as chef Lee Yoon Soo, who makes a lot of interesting dishes through the runtime and also struggles to run a small restaurant all by himself. Yoon Seo Bin who was last seen in “Roommates of Poongduck 304”, has a small cameo as a part-timer as a nearby food-join who sometimes helps Lee Yoon Soo out. Yoo Jang Hee is supporting character Park Sang Woo, a new intern at Doo Hoon’s office, who was more interesting than the leads due to his straightforward personality.
The cinematography is warm and lends a very domestic tone to the tale, despite the bulk of the story unfolding at Doo Hoon’s office, outdoors, or during university flashbacks. Food is a key ingredient in “Bon Appetit” and foreign viewers get to know about different kind of fascinating Korean dishes and drinks. The romantic sub-plot however needed a lot more work. Despite the fact that the protagonists are working professionals in their late 20s, the plot relies on school-level conflicts to push the story forward in the last few episodes.
If you are looking for a simple food-based romance, “Bon Appetit” might make for a decent pick to watch on the weekend. Rating: 6 on 10.
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Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)
October 11, 2023
Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen Power Through ‘The Iron Claw’ Trailer
Zac Efron is still the charismatic and cute basketball player from Disney’s “High School Musical”, but watch him in the trailer for A24 biopic “The Iron Claw” and you won’t see any traces of the teenage heartthrob in there.
Directed by Sean Durkin, “The Iron Claw” tells the story of the undying bond between Von Erich brothers and their contribution to the professional wrestling world. The Von Erich family is a famous wrestling dynasty which was associated with the Texas-based promotion World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and later, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Holt McCallany portrays Fritz Von Erich, the family patriarch, who rigorously trained all his sons to make their mark in the wrestling world. Fritz’s oldest son passed away at age six, and Zac Efron plays his second son, Kevin Von Erich, known for trademark moves in the ring, including the iron claw. The actor has built up incredible muscle weight for the role and looks like a professional wrestler from every angle, voice included. Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson play his brothers Kerry and David respectively. Jeremy’s red bandana look for Kerry Von Erich is reminiscent of the iconic Rocky era, evoking a profound sense of the 1970s.
The trailer takes viewers on a roller-coaster ride through the life of a family plagued by numerous struggles and tragedies. “The Iron Claw” promises to be a nostalgic journey for wrestling fans and a captivating introduction to an unfamiliar world for those who aren’t avid genre enthusiasts.
Watch the trailer below.
Migi to Dali Episode 2 Review
Recap – This mystery-thriller series introduces the audience to orphaned twins, Migi and Dali, who craftily scheme their way into the lives of an aging wealthy couple Sonoyama Osamu and Sonoyama Youko. The couple believes they’ve adopted a single child, Hitori, with no clue that they’ve unwittingly welcomed two brothers into their home. Episode one of “Migi to Dali” reveals the enigmatic, two-faced nature of the twins, hinting at a complex and thrilling story yet to unfold.
Episode two begins with a flashback to 1983 when the twins were probably just 5-year-olds. They are both simply standing at the edge of a cliff in Oregon village, the same place where they now have a new home. The flashback is ever so brief, only serving to pique the viewer’s interest in why the boys wanted to be adopted in the same village. When the scene shifts to the present, the boys begin to investigate their new house, suspicious of their adoptive parents, sure that they must have some hidden agenda for being so selflessly nice towards Hitori.
Just like in episode one, this edition is comically creepy, with the twins moving around as if they are possessed by some demon. The animation, coupled with the piano-based background music, again makes the plot feel more like a horror show than the comedy-mystery it’s supposed to be. But I am getting used to the execution, which is quite genre-bending and amusing. The constant juxtaposition of the old but seemingly innocent and happy Sonoyamas versus the crafty, cynical boys living with them serves as an entertaining contrast, illustrating how age has very little to do with one’s personality. I love how the couple humor their adopted son and agree to wear all-black to the party like him.
Plot-wise, episode two makes a significant stride by revealing the real motive of Migi and Dali for choosing to get adopted in Oregon village by the Sonoyamas. It’s also a hilarious edition, where the Sonoyamas plan a surprise welcome party for Hitori. Due to some misunderstanding, the twins think the couple is planning something sinister. A whole bunch of new characters are introduced at the party, and the episode closes with an exciting cliffhanger: the boys decide to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night. Don’t forget to watch a short scene after the end credits that will give you more clarity on the story.
You can watch “Migi to Dali” on Crunchyroll.
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)
October 10, 2023
Fair Play Review – When Love Gets Uneven
“I don’t shit where I eat,” Emily, the protagonist of the 2023 movie “Fair Play,” tells a colleague when he casually encourages her to have an affair with her analyst, Luke. The thing is, Emily is already in a secret relationship with Luke because company policy forbids office romances. However, due to a recent promotion at her competitive hedge fund firm, their bond is severely tested.
Directed and written by Chloe Domont, “Fair Play” begins with a passionate scene of Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) at a party, and the two end up getting engaged in a restroom. The two appear to be deeply in love with each other, but a few days later, Emily gets promoted to a position that Luke had his eyes on, leading to a lot of bad blood between them. Men feeling threatened if their partners are more successful than them? Not a new story. Yet, it’s not the kind of tale we often see in movies.
While “Fair Play” is set in New York, the film was shot in Belgrade, Serbia, so the cinematography appears slightly duller than the typical NY skyline and lively streets. However, the creators deliberately decided to lend the scenes a despondent tone to align with its dark theme: the escalating collapse of a once-loving relationship. Despite sharing an apartment, the protagonists also go to work separately to avoid raising suspicions, and those morning scenes of them heading to the office looked like they were shot before sunrise. That’s how gloomy the skies are throughout the 1 hour 53-minute runtime. However, the hedge fund office offers a good change-up, with men and women in suits, all fervently working through numbers.
The chemistry between Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich as Emily and Luke is electric from the start, but as the plot progresses, the pace of their fallout gets exceedingly unrealistic given their initial dynamics. As Luke rapidly unravels due to his resentment over Emily’s promotion, you get the sense that either he has a serious mental health disorder, either that or he is an extremely shrewd manipulator that the Harvard-educated, super-smart Emily couldn’t read right. Either way, the plot discredits Emily’s intelligence, even though she is supposed to be a brilliant finance analyst. It’s also strange how Emily isn’t aware of Luke capabilities at work, despite office gossip clearly being quite rampant and becomes victim to his emotional cruelty and gaslighting. But well, ‘love’ can really cloud one’s brain.
If it weren’t for the far-fetched deterioration of the lead couple’s relationship, “Fair Play” offers a fascinating glimpse into just how the slightest shift in power can really change the balance in a relationship. Especially when it’s the woman who is more financially successful. It also explores the vapid sexist perception that if a woman climbs up the corporate ladder faster than her peers, she is probably sleeping with the boss. The last time I saw this theme tactfully explored was in the 2023 Netflix series “Scoop”, about a top woman journalist who’s incarcerated for being too good at her job. Director Chloe Domont also offers a fair portrayal of how women are easily discredited by their male counterparts. However, in a world full of Lukes, there are also bosses like Campbell (Eddie Marsan), who may be ruthless but recognize and value talent regardless of gender.
Phoebe Dynevor delivers a rousing performance as the conscientious Emily, who had everything going in her favor until her boyfriend/fiancé suddenly decided to pull a Jekyll and Hyde on her. I think I screamed at the screen a bunch of times, saying “dump him, just dump him”, even though it’s easier said than done. Alden Ehrenreich as the insecure Luke is interesting, but many other actors could have portrayed the role more effectively. Alden isn’t able to make Luke as despicable as the character truly is, even though he does handle a challenging emotional breakdown scene towards the end with great intensity. The climax neatly ties up everything after a roller-coaster ride of emotions, so depending on the viewer, it might feel either underwhelming or just the right way to provide closure to viewers.
Rating: 6 on 10
If you are looking for a tense romantic drama, stream “Fair Play” on Netflix.
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Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)
October 9, 2023
The Continental Season 1 Episode 3 Review
“A monumental conclusion!”
I immediately agreed with the above statement made by a character in the second half of the season finale of “The Continental”, right after he witnesses a grisly end of an assassin’s life. Titled “Theater of Pain,” episode three of the mini-series is packed with blood, deaths, gloom, and doom, so expect a lot of guns and gore. It’s indeed a theatrical affair that takes the entire ensemble cast to deliver an entertaining curtain call.
Read: The Continental Season 1 Episode 1 Review for plot overview
Like the first two episodes, this one to begins with a brief black-and-white flashback featuring the younger versions of the Scott brothers, which serves as both proof of their strong bond and foreshadows a very crucial revelation. To avenge his older brother Frankie’s death, Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) is all geared up to storm The Continental, the hotel housing countless assassins and the primary villain of the tale – Cormac O’Connor.
If, like me, you were also bugged by the sub-plot involving KD (Mishel Prada), the cop hell-bent on finding the Scott brothers because it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the story, rejoice, because we are also given a pretty solid explanation about her agenda. She even arrives at the Dojo belonging to siblings Miles and Lou in Chinatown while looking for Winston and tries to intimidate Lou for information on her case. Jessica Allain who plays Lou, gets to show off some kick-ass karate moves again and despite her apprehensions about backing Winston & Miles’ suicide-mission, she has her brother’s back when needed. Ray McKinnon is amusing as Jenkins, the sharpshooter who was introduced in episode 2, and is tasked with having eyes on The Continental to help Winston in the final showdown.
Nhung Kate, who plays Yen, Frankie’s Vietnamese girlfriend, engages in a fantastic face-off with Gretel (Marina Mazepa), one of the twins responsible for Frankie’s murder. In a comical action-film moment, the two women decide to drop their weapons and fight each other with bare hands, and their combat was riveting. Marina Mazepa, a real-life contortionist, showcases some incredible moves, resembling a mutant from X-Men. “Woah, this woman should play Elastigirl,” I thought to myself as the flexible Gretel cracked her knuckles and bones, rising effortlessly from each fall like a superhuman.
The special effects in the action scenes are well-executed, and while the cinematography maintains the same moody, retro, and nostalgic feel as the first two episodes, some of the fight sequences could have benefited from better lighting. Admittedly, the warm and dim lighting aligns with the moody ambiance of this 70s action-crime story, but a touch more color and a bit of brightness would’ve been nice. The background music was laden with astutely chosen hits again, each track serving to heighten the flavor of the tale. The rock song “Barracuda” befittingly plays when Winston finds a new stash of weapons and is all pumped up to mark Cormac’s final chapter.
Mel Gibson is comically devious as the despicable Cormac, the kind of villain who shamelessly strikes deals with ‘God’. While Winston Scott is busy preparing his game plan, Cormac goes to his private church, does drugs, and hopes God will solve all his problems. And if God doesn’t bail him out, there’s always a hotel full of serial killers, unlimited arms and sneaky secrets at his disposal. Colin Woodell as Winston Scott was the only weak link in this finale for me; he doesn’t exude the aura of a ‘main character’ in this show. While some of the other characters might begin to grow on you, Woodell’s portrayal feels a bit wooden and boring for a man who goes up against a dreaded syndicate of criminals that even the cops avoid. Thankfully, the writers don’t heavily rely on Winston’s character and provide ample space for all the other actors to shine, which significantly contributes to keeping the last episode thrilling and fast-paced.
“The Continental” is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
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Five Classic Roald Dahl Books and Their Appeal
Known for his quirky style of filmmaking, Wes Anderson decided to pay tribute to another creator popular for his whimsical stories, Roald Dahl, by creating four short films based on the author’s works. If you enjoyed watching the films – ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’, The Rat Catcher, The Swan and Poison – but haven’t read any of Dahl’s works, we have listed five of his most famous books along with their appeals.
Dahl’s unique storytelling style, characterized by clever wordplay and vivid imagination, has made him a beloved figure in the world of literature. Dahl’s books are timeless classics that continue to enchant both children and adults alike.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (1964)Appeal: This delightful tale appeals to children and adults alike with its captivating story of a young boy’s adventure in a magical chocolate factory. It’s a whimsical and imaginative journey that explores themes of greed, kindness, and the joy of imagination.“Matilda” (1988)Appeal: “Matilda” is a heartwarming story of a young girl with extraordinary intelligence who stands up against injustice. It appeals to young readers who dream of using their wits to make the world a better place. Themes include the power of knowledge, resilience, and the importance of family.“The BFG” (1982)Appeal: “The BFG” is a charming story about a young orphan named Sophie and her unlikely friendship with a Big Friendly Giant who collects dreams. It appeals to readers who love fantastical adventures and themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of dreams.“The Witches” (1983)Appeal: This spooky and thrilling tale of a young boy and his encounter with a group of witches will captivate readers who enjoy a good scare. It explores themes of bravery, cunning, and the triumph of good over evil.“James and the Giant Peach” (1961)Appeal: This whimsical adventure follows young James as he embarks on a journey inside a gigantic peach. It appeals to readers who love tales of unlikely heroes and themes of friendship, resilience, and the power of imagination.Read Next: 10 Fiction Books That Re-Imagine Greek Myths (Audio version below)
Hungry Ghost Review – Gut Punch For Some
Sneha Jaiswal (X | Instagram | GoodReads)
All my close friends know that I do not care a lot about Birthdays. But if there’s something I do love about them – it’s cake. I have to have the biggest slice from my own birthday cake. If we are celebrating someone else, I can settle for a thin sliver. So reading the graphic novel “Hungry Ghost” by Victoria Ying immediately filled me with sadness. The story begins with a flashback to protagonist Valerie Chu’s childhood birthday celebration when she was just a preteen. Her mother saves a special slice of cake for her at their house party – the smallest one. “Remember, don’t eat, just taste,” Val’s mom constantly warns her about avoiding weight gain.
So “Hungry Ghost” is about a teen girl’s complicated relationship with her body, food and her domineering mother. It serves as a reflection of how ‘well-meaning’ statements from parents can have devastating impact on a person’s psyche. Valerie is the perfect girl on the outside, she is smart, sweet, mild-mannered, fit and has great grades. But she grows up with twisted ideas about food, health and body imagery, which leads her into developing a severe eating disorder, even though she is just 17. I am guessing 17, because she is in the last year of High School and the author doesn’t explicitly mention the age anywhere.
Just a little over 200 pages, the graphic novel has beautiful artwork, with a sparse and simple color palette. Most of the pages are limited to pastel shades of blue, pink and greys, which adds a slow, pleasant touch to the tale, despite the dark issues explored in the story. Apart from her body-image issues, Valerie also has to deal with the tragic loss of a loved one, an event which forces her to re-look her relationship with food.
For someone with an eating disorder, Valerie is constantly surrounded by food, whether at home, at school, or even when she’s out hanging with friends. Her best friend is a vivacious and curvaceous girl named Jordan, whom her mom cruelly always refers to as the “fat” friend. In fact, even Valerie’s inner thoughts about her friend are mean, largely influenced by her mother’s persistent belief that overweight individuals are unattractive and unhealthy. There’s a small Paris trip in the story which instantly reminded me of “Heartstopper”, the popular YA romance series, which also features a protagonist with an eating disorder. While all her friends are excited to try out Parisian treats, Valerie is least bit interested in gobbling up anything, although she does hope some romance blooms between her and a cute guy she crushes on.
While I enjoyed reading about Valerie’s tumultuous feelings about food and how it infiltrates almost every minute of her day, even influencing the way she perceives others, the other characters could have used more character development. For example, all we know of Jordan is that she is cheerful and loves eating, so her only personality trait is munching food. Valerie’s mother, on the other hand, is simply awful, and it’s absurd how the woman’s behavior is excused as a “mother’s way of showing love.” Even when her daughter confesses to being bulimic, the mother simply tells her to ‘diet,’ instead of addressing the issue more empathetically. The sheer insensitivity and lack of empathy the parent displays shouldn’t have been glossed over.
The ending of “Hungry Ghost” feels somewhat rushed, though Victoria Ying emphasizes that all of Valerie’s troubles don’t simply vanish like magic. While I haven’t read many books exploring eating disorders, as someone who lacked confidence in their body as a teenager, some parts of this graphic novel really hit home to me. If the themes of eating disorders and loss are not triggering for you, “Hungry Ghost” is a compelling book well worth delving into.
Rating: 4 on 5.
Read Next: 10 Fiction Books That Re-Imagine Greek Myths (Audio version below)
October 8, 2023
Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 1 Review
Based on the manga series of the same name by by Tatsuya Endo, Spy X Family Season 2 starts off with a very fun and familial episode focusing on Loid Forger’s efforts to cheer up his wife Yor, lest their marriage crumble, which could also jeopardize his mission.
Here’s a quick recap of the story so far – Agent Twilight is still working on making ‘Operation Strix’ successful, for which he needs to spy on political leader Donovan Desmond. Known to be highly reclusive, the only way to meet Donovan Desmond is through a parent-teacher meeting at his son’s exclusive private school. So Twilight takes the name Loid Forger, adopts an orphan called Anya and also marries city hall worker to make his family cover complete. Loid has no clue that his Anya can read minds and Yor is a deadly assassin, and now they also have a dog called Bond that can see the future.
Titled “Let’s Follow Mama and Papa,” episode one of season two begins with a black screen, accompanied by the sounds of punches and groans in the background. Yor eliminates a group of terrorists but sustains an injury in the process. Back at home, Loid notices Yor’s discomfort and assumed she must be upset with him for assigning her domestic chores. In an attempt to mend things, he invites her on a date. To look after Anya, he hires Freddy, who is easily persuaded by Anya to play spy and tail her parents during their date. What unfolds is an entertaining edition of the Forgers’ day out.
The animation remains delightfully simple and expressive. It’s quite comical to see the typically reserved Yor appear extremely grumpy. The illustrators depict her as if she were a cursed spirit due to the pain from her injury, causing Loid to understandably freak out upon seeing this new side of her. I like how all characters get to be in different outfits in this edition. For example Freddy and Anya wear comical costumes as they discreetly try to track Loid and Yor. While Freddy’s disguise makes him look like a handyman, little Anya wears a conspicuously bright red coat, which amusingly makes her stand out even more in a crowd.
Season two of Spy x Family is off to a fun start with this episodes, which is a blend of action, violence, blood and of-course – some engaging family drama. Loid and Yor still behave like cordial strangers with each other, but this season promises some development in their dynamics. Meanwhile, the impish-cute Anya, who is the only one aware of both Loid and Yor’s secrets, is in complete awe of her cool adoptive parents and is hilariously protective about them.
You can stream Spy x Family on Netflix.
Also Read: Castlevania: Nocturne Echoes Prequel’s Gothic Grit (Audio version below)
October 7, 2023
Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty Movie Review
It’s a funny coincidence how we were debating the “necessity of marriage” and “the right time for marriage” just a few hours before streaming “Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty.” This 2023 Telugu romantic comedy revolves around Anvitha Shetty (Anushka Shetty), a chef with no interest in romance or marriage, who is searching for a donor to help her become a single mother. On the other hand, stand-up comedian Siddhu (Naveen Polishetty) is on the hunt for a committed relationship. When these two individuals cross paths, an unlikely friendship blossoms, but could there be something more in the cards? Let’s just say that this film isn’t likely to provide strong arguments against marriage.
Written and directed by Mahesh Babu P, “Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty” relies heavily on actor Naveen Polishetty’s comic-timing as Sidhu and the lead hero doesn’t disappoint. Naveen is hilariously entertaining as an engineer with a start-up company, who is almost always evading his responsibilities at his full-time job and instead chasing his dream to make money off stand-up comedy. His journey takes a turn when he meets Anvitha, who is impressed by his jokes and offers him a chance to perform at her hotel in Hyderabad. Unbeknownst to Sidhu, this opportunity comes with a hidden agenda – Anvitha is assessing whether he could potentially be a donor for her unique quest.
Anushka Shetty glows as the beautiful master-chef Anvitha, her personality fills up the screen, however her character in the film is slightly one-dimensional. All we seem to know about Anvitha is that she enjoys cooking, values punctuality, and doesn’t appear to think about much else. Yet, as Sidhu humorously points out during one of his stand-up shows, “Women often have long checklists for what they seek in a man, while men typically don’t have a list; all they need is a woman.” So, while Anvitha does indeed have a lengthy list of qualities she’s seeking in a man, Sidhu falls in love after a few kind words from the older woman.
Naveen Polishtty’s energetic delivery of jokes and multi-faceted portrayal of Sidhu are the film’s highlights. Even when his heart is broken, he maintains his wry sense of humor. “This is not the friend-zone; this is not even the bro-zone; this is the use-and-throw zone, guys,” he says to his friends with a dejected expression after facing rejection. Even when his love-life crashes, his jokes land. Murli Sharma plays Sidhu’s father, and the bickering between the two would be relatable to many. For example, when Sidhu gets ready for a date, his father passes a jibe about how if he showed the same sincerity at work, he would’ve already been married with kids.
The cinematography is straightforward, vibrant, and filled with vivid colors. The film begins with an appetizing sequence featuring various dishes in Anvitha’s upscale kitchen in the UK. While the background score integrates well with the storyline, some of the songs are rather forgettable and seem like recycled versions of older hits. “Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty” is a fun no-brainer movie, which doesn’t take itself too seriously and keeps the story light and comedic for most parts.
Despite its unconventional premise centered around a successful career woman’s goal to become a single mother, the film concludes on a somewhat clichéd note. However, considering the genre, hoping for something too out of the ordinary might be setting expectations too high. Nevertheless, it makes for a worthwhile one-time watch over the weekend.
You can stream “Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty” on Netflix.
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