In the Shadows

Individuals want to escape when they come to know the reality around them. Great script and well directed. We need more movies like that.

IN THE SHADOWS (GALI GULEIYAN, 2017) shares a similar spirit with SALAAM BOMBAY (1988) and SHADOWS OF TIME (2004), but not in the same league. It has a brilliant idea (interweaving a man's past and present, to manifest how cruel reality's firm grip on a little poor guy is), wonderful acting and a production team doing good job. Nevertheless, it is seriously hampered by the thin and somewhat unconvincing plot.

The biggest hole of the story, in my opinion, is that the gentle boy decided, and dare, to kill the much stronger ruler of the family. Based on what the director showed to the audience, the boy got slapped and kicked for a short while (for understandable reason). If that could have been the cause of patricide, probably half of Indian parents were dead already (not to be disrespect to peoples of India, but just making a point here). Harsh discipline was quite common in last century's Asia. Of course, violence in any form is not "right," truth is it still exist even today, in lower class, in developing countries. The father in ITS seemed abstemious, given the circumstances.

There is another problematic issue in the screenplay. Since the boy realized the father cheated on the mother, would that be the cause of patricide? It surely fueled the boy's resentment, but hardly enough to instigate murder against a man double his size. The boy is far from tough, otherwise he would be running away long ago.

After the murder, the boy should be kept in institution for a period of time. Then, how come he was back to the slum again? Why did his mother let him go back (we all know how much she loves him)? Why did the affluent friend let him go back (we all know how kind and helpful this friend is)? As a long time resident he must be infamous around, it's unnatural that no one shows any emotion (eg scared, annoyance or trying to make fun) towards this weirdo and murderer. He set up dozen of cameras on neighbors' doorway for YEARS and no one noticed? ..... Too many illogical and unrealistic "holes" reduced ITS to near mediocrity. It is really unfortunate for all participated talents.

Last but not least, IN THE SHADOWS is entitled to be considered a decent movie, for audience with patience and sympathy. If taking out "entertaining" elements on the marking sheet, it should be regarded higher than SLUMDOG BILLIONAIRE (2009).

Great performances, director was lost somewhere and it was an incomplete movie , not great !!

Cast-Manoj Bajpayee,Ranvir Shorey,Neeraj Kabi,Shahana Goswami,Om Singh.

Khadoos(Bajpayee) lives in the shabby,claustrophobic lanes of Old Delhi.The ugly,dull lanes reflect his activities,he doesn't follow any calendars,hardly comes out of his home,and watch his neighbors via some CCTVs he attached unknowingly to them.One day he overhears some little boy getting abused by his father ,(that family shares the same wall with Khadoos) and this turns out to be a regular phenomenon. Khadoos decides to save the boy from the clutches of his father and thus reuniting the human connection he lost somewhere in the past.All the above traits give Khadoos a creepy,peculiar look in your mind ,doesn't it?then just see in the poster or in the trailer look at Manoj Bajpayee,his insomniac eyes,his torn dress,his gibberish way of talking,you will be stunned by his physical transformation for this Indie film.A true artist,Manoj Bajpayee delivers another performance which is enough to make anyone spellbound.If i say more about him,I will involuntarily give spoilers.

Neeraj Kabi is rough as an abusive father and a unfaithful husband .He makes his character the most hated one by his vigilant acting.

Shahana Goswami is the most sympathetic character playing the role of the wife of Neeraj Kabi,gentle and kind to her children and always in fear that her husband might lose his cool and beat her and their children.Every frame she is in you can feel her pain,her fear,her unconditional love to her family.

Ranvir Shorey plays the role of the only friend of Khadoos ,which he has ,as always, done with perfection.The child artists are spontaneous and quite good in their roles.

The photography is top notch,the way old Delhi is captured-lifeless alleys,the worn out houses are vividly haunting and you will never even want any day to pay a visit there. The shadow of hopelessness is disturbing in those ghostly existence.

The sound design fits perfectly and increases the discomfort of watching this film.The movie is difficult to bear with for popcorn movie lovers.Dipesh Jain in his debut has shown his caliber of film making.

8.5/10

The best of cinema, the best of acting, the best of storyline, this movie offers the best of everything! I am not a critic, only an art lover. But while watching this film, I couldn't set my eyes off it even for a second. Great performances by all the actors, especially Manoj Vajpayee. And the issue raised is the important of all!