Film Review: THE PHOTOGRAPH

WDCB’s Gary Zidek reviews the new film THE PHOTOGRAPH.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek reviews the new film THE PHOTOGRAPH.

The new feature film THE PHOTOGRAPH comes from writer-director Ritesh Batra. The Indian filmmaker garnered attention with his 2013 debut movie THE LUNCHBOX and in 2017 directed Robert Redford and Jane Fonda in OUR SOULS AT NIGHT. On the surface, THE PHOTOGRAPH can be described as a classic rom-com. Two characters from different worlds come together through unusual circumstances and find love.

Batra says the film was inspired by the classic Bollywood musicals he grew up with and Shakespeare. The plot for THE PHOTOGRAPH feels familiar in that sense, we recognize these characters and this situation, but there’s also some added depth. Certain details and themes give THE PHOTOGRAPH a patina of authenticity that’s usually absent from standard rom-coms.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui & Sanya Malhotra star in THE PHOTOGRAPH

These cultural details that make THE PHOTOGRAPH unique might be too foreign for some U.S. audiences. Most of us can relate to challenges involved with appeasing our families, but the idea of trying to make your parents happy before yourself when it comes to finding a significant other isn’t common in America. I wish there was a little more cultural education woven into the story to truly understand some of the Indian customs.

Overall THE PHOTOGRAPH tells a sweet story, that may be a little slow for some audiences.

Gary gives it two out of four stars.

THE PHOTOGRAPH is playing in select theaters nationwide.