JEANNE’S REVIEW

SISTER MIDNIGHT, the feature film debut from Indian artist and filmmaker Karan Kandhari, is a wild and unpredictable dark dramedy. Set in Mumbai, the story revolves around a woman named Uma (Radhika Apte) who comes from a small town to marry a man, Gopal (Ashok Pathak), she knew as a child. What could possibly go wrong?

Uma is totally unprepared for life as a housewife. She doesn’t know how to cook or even manage the household expenses. Gopal’s abode, like all his neighbors, is extremely small. So, there isn’t much for Uma to do. She prevails upon her next-door neighbor, Sheetal (Chhaya Kadam), to teach her a few basics in cooking, which is pretty darn funny itself. But unfortunately, Uma is not a very promising student.

She is able to secure a job as an office cleaner by describing herself as a “domestic goddess”. Uma travels several hours each way but is determined not to give up. Her relationship with Gopal gets off to a rocky start, but there, too, Uma is resolute in making it work --- as much as Gopal is capable. She pushes him to do things together, even if it’s only smoking a cigarette outside when there is a chance of a breeze.

Kandhari was set on not portraying Uma as any kind of a heroine. Instead, he refers to his protagonist as “an accidental outlaw”. And Apte, a highly regarded Indian actress, plays Uma with great verve. She’s crazy and chaotic --- and, towards the end, almost certifiably insane. Apte is terrific fun to watch, it’s no wonder she’s so popular in her native country.

To complement the dark zaniness of SISTER MIDNIGHT, Kandhari has chosen Interpol frontman, Paul Banks, to compose the soundtrack. Like the screenplay, Banks’ music is wide ranging and out there. This little film about an outsider --- or hillbilly as Sheetal calls her --- navigating Mumbai is mildly entertaining, but not necessarily for everyone.

Opinion: Wait for VOD

    DAVID’S REVIEW

Filmed in India’s largest city by population, Mumbai, SISTER MIDNIGHT is not what American audiences are likely to appreciate. The movie is entertaining in parts, but also very frenetic and inexplicable in others.

SISTER MIDNIGHT stars Radhika Apte as Uma, a woman trapped in an arranged marriage. She does not like, nor is she capable of, normal domestic chores like cooking. She is not attracted to her husband, Gopal (Ashok Pathak), and he is basically intimidated by her.

The story takes a bizarre turn after Uma is bitten by an insect. Her behavior becomes erratic and somewhat demented, but in a comedic vein. Much of Radhika’s acting is of a physical nature, largely silent, although she is quick to utter clever responses to anyone she finds offensive.

Indian writer/director Karan Kandhari, London-based for many years, incorporates his love of various types of music to frame this audacious movie. The soundtrack is a plus.

Opinion: Wait for VOD