Category: English OTT Film Reviews

Posted on

Snow white (2025): A fun modern update to the damsel in distress trope

Rachael Zegler in the role of Snow White surrounded by the Dwarfs

Walt Disney production house latest attempt at reimagining an old fairy tale is entertaining in spite of some flaws. What makes Snow White mostly work is the reimaging of the central character as a more self-reliant young woman

Starcast: Rachael Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap and others

Genre: Fantasy/musical

Director: Marc Webb

Screenplay: Erin Cressida Wilson

Based on: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Producers: Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff

Cinematography: Mandy Wanker

Music: Pasek and Paul etc

Streaming site: Disney+Hotstar

Running time: 1 hour and 49 minutes

In the last few years Walt Disney productions have been on a spat of remaking old fairy tales with modern sensibilities whether it is Aladdin in 2019 or now the latest Snow White. A couple of commonalities linking the two films are the musical format and more empowered women characters specifically the lead women. Snow White (2025) is no different from its predecessor, the movie is a mix of fantasy while dealing with real world themes. Not everything lands but the movie makes for a breezy watch with an assertive female protagonist.

Aladdin 2019

In simple terms the story focuses on Rachael Zegler’s Snow White. She is confined to her own castle by a demonically evil queen played by Gal Gadot. Snow White hopes to reclaim her rightful place. In this process she meets Andrew Burnap’s Jonathan, Unlike the prince character from the old one Jonathan is a charming bandit on the lines of Robin Hood. The rest of the story focuses on Snow White ending the reign of the evil queen.

A strong aspect of Snow White (2025) is the characterization of the central character coupled with Rachael Zegler’s act. Marc Webb along with Erin Cressida Wilson have done a good job in gradually building up the character, in the initial portions she comes across as a sweet but docile person however by the end the character becomes a leader standing up against the injustices. This entire transformation has come out strongly.

Mention must also be made of the understated romance between Rachael Zelger and Andrew Burnap. Andrew Burnap bandit is a welcome break from the regular character of a prince. Sure, the character could have done with more depth but the scenes between them make for a good watch. Andrew Burnap delivers a charismatic act in spite of the brief screen time.

Rachael Zelger and Andrew Burnap

Gal Gadot’s character has some modern touches too going beyond someone who is just jealous of Snow White and tormenting her, she is seen as a symbol of fascism plundering the riches of the land. There is a dictatorial way in which the character operates, and Gal does a very fine job in bringing out those shades. These touches elevate the movie beyond just another reimagining.

As far as the visuals go cinematographer Mandy Waker makes sure that the movie becomes a visual treat. The movie has a vibrant look to it and the special effects have been well integrated. The musical numbers make for a fun watch particularly ‘Waiting on a Wish’

One of the big flaws of the movie are the dwarf characters. Their bond with Snow White doesn’t make an impact due to the lazy writing, it feels like more of an add on due to their presence in the fairytale rather than something substantial. Also, the movie’s tonality alerting between fantasy and real-world issues doesn’t land on some occasions.

Final word: Watch Snow White (2025) if you are in the mood to watch something lighthearted and get yourself lost in a fantasy world.

Posted on

Girls Will Be Girls: A layered story of adolescence driven by a fantastic cast

Girls Will Be Girls movie image

Director Shuchi Talati does a wonderful job in exploring the complexities of Teenage. An important part of Girls Will Be girls is the theme of sexual awakening portrayed with lots of sensitivity

Starcast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron and others

Director and writer: Shuchi Talati

Producers: Richa Chaddha, Clarie Chassagne and Shuchi Talati

Production Companies: Pushing Buttons Studios, Blink Digital etc

Music: Pierre Oberkampf and Sneha Khanwalkar

Cinematography: Jih-E Peng

Running time: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

The age of adolescence is a very complex period in the life of a teenager. Both mentally and physically there are major upheavals. Shuchi Talati’s story focuses on one such teenager without any commercialization.

Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti in Girls Will Be Girls

The main plot of Girls Will Be Girls revolves around Mira ( Preeti Panigrahi) set in a boarding school. Preeti is both a class topper as well as a prefect. Kani Kusruti plays the protective mother Anila. There is a father too appearing occasionally. Mira’s life takes a major turn with the entry of a new joinee Srinivas ( Kesav Binoy Kiron). Mira starts developing feelings which includes sexual as well. While chatting with Srinivas over the phone Anila catches her daughter making it very clear that the two can only be friends and northing more. However Mira and Srinivas continue to pursue each other romantically. Soon Srinivas starts coming to Mira’s house developing a good rapport with Anila. This leads to a major tension as Mira feels that Srinivas is giving more attention to her mother. The rest of the story focuses on the new challenges that Mira faces and how she navigates adolescence.

Keshav Binoy Kiron as Srinivas

A strong aspect of Girls Will Be Girls is how Shuchi Talati portrays the physical changes that a teenager undergoes. For example there is a scene where Mira tries to appear sexy in the front of a ,mirror while lip syncing. Similarly there is also a bit of Mira trying to practice kissing. These moments have been presented with honesty making it relatable for many teenagers.

Apart from the challenges of adolescence Shuchi Talati also does a wonderful job in showcasing the complex mother and daughter dynamics. Their relationship has shades of jealousy with some unpleasant moments. Anila is an overprotective mother who has a hard time in dealing with her rebellious daughter. She wants to limit the physical and emotional intimacy of the two. The dynamics get further complicated when Srinivas gets closer to the mother, his proximity with Anila increases leading to a further divide. However beneath all the insecurities there is also mutual love which comes out strongly.

The complex mother and daughter dynamics

The movie’s pacing is deliberately slow but for a story of this nature it works perfectly. The build up to the bodily changes that Mira is undergoing has been portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity. The film dwells into the themes of sexuality from a female perspective showcasing how societal repression often comes in the way. This is something that we don’t see in the high testosterone male led cinema.

The scenes of Mira losing her virginity and the various feelings which come with it have been shot in an aesthetic manner with no titlation.

Mira’s sexual awakening

Shuchi Talati’s use of visual metaphors is also brilliant. These metaphors perfectly convey the internal struggle which the characters are going through on numerous occasions. The movie is a perfect example of how dialogues aren’t always needed to convey the emotional turmoil.

The performances of Preeti and Kani Kusruti also make this movie a major winner. Preeti Panigrahi had won the special jury award at 2024 Sundance Film Festival and she truly deserves it for her wonderful portrayal. She perfectly captures the vulnerability, defiance and the contradictions which a teenager goes through. She more than holds her own opposite the terrific Kani Kusruti. Speaking about Kani Kusruti the actress continues her terrific form showcasing her immense versatility post All We Imagine as Light. She does a superlative job in bringing out the turmoil of a woman who is grapping with her own desires while being a caring mother. As Srinivas Keshav Binoy Kiron has an easy charm blending in perfectly. He also brings in a sense of ambiguity adding an extra layer.

Posted on

Don’t Look Up: Leonardo DiCaprio And Jennifer Lawrence Headline This Important Film On Climate Change

Adam Mc Kay’s Don’t Look Up is an allegory of sorts in many ways. It talks about how world leaders, corporations, and big media are dealing with global warming and its consequences. It works both as a satire and also as a wakeup call. The satire mostly comes through the character of President Orlean (Meryl Streep). Her character is based on ex President Donald Trump.

The story of Don’t Look Up revolves around two astronomers Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio). Both of them embark. While working on a research paper they stumble upon the existence of a comet “the size of Mount Everest.” It is hurtling towards the earth and is all set to make a deadly impact in 14 days. The comet is said to have the power of a billion Hiroshima bombs.

First they warn the American president who is in the midst of a political crisis over a Supreme Court appointment. She and her son along with the chief of staff make them wait for hours before sending them away. The next day she gives them twenty minutes to have their say. The president along with the administration don’t take their warnings seriously.

Left with no other option they go to a morning show of a television hosted by Brie Evantee (Cate Blancheet) and Jack Bremmer (Tyler Perry). They try to put their point across but  the television hosts are just another pair of guests who are not worthy of importance. The excitement is more about the break- up of a popstar (Ariana Grande in a cameo). Not surprisingly both the astronomers feel like they are talking to a wall. Kate in particular is livid and doesn’t shy away from showing her emotions. What follows is a cocktail of many socio political issues.

The most striking aspect of Don’t Look Up is how the director tackles the many themes in the film. In the hands of a less competent director this cocktail would have fallen flat but Adam Mc Kay does a terrific job in not only making you laugh but also making you thoughtful about how indifferent we have become towards climate change.

An important aspect of the film is how it looks at people from both ends of the spectrum. On one hand you have the realists who recognize where the world is heading, at the other hand you have those who pretend that everything is fine. The director does a terrific job in capturing both these sides.

The scenes involving Meryl Streep’s character is another major asset. Through her character the director talks about autocracy, he takes several jibes at the way Donald Trump has functioned. Anyone who has issues with the government is picked up and given a warning. This comes through in the scene involving Jennifer Lawrence character.

Leanardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence are a delight to watch in their respective roles. They make you empathize with the frustrations of Kate and Dr Mindy. Meryl Streep is a complete hoot as President Orlean. It is clear that she has enjoyed playing this character a lot.

Don’t miss Don’t Look Up.