All We Imagine as Light (2024)
All We Imagine as Light has got to be one of the most overrated movies of 2024. It is an Indian drama that follows the lives of two nurses in Mumbai, Prabha and Anu, as they navigate the challenges of urban life and their personal struggles. Despite its best efforts, the film fails to achieve its ambitious goal of bringing attention to significant social issues.
Let’s start with the good stuff. The movie’s got some decent performances, especially from Kani Kusruthi and Divya Prabhakar as the lead characters. Despite their best efforts, they struggle to bring their characters to life due to a script that lacks excitement. The cinematography isn’t half bad either. There are a few shots of Mumbai that’ll make you go, “Ooh, pretty!” But that’s about it. The rest of the time, you’re stuck watching people mope around in dimly lit rooms. I get it, life’s tough, but do we have to spend two hours in the dark?
Let’s discuss the crucial aspect of the film—the pacing. Watching this film is like watching a snail on tranquillizers; it moves very, very, very slowly. It’s like the director, Payal Kapadia, forgot that movies are supposed to, you know, move. There are long stretches where nothing happens, and I found myself checking my watch more times than I care to admit.
Another issue is the dialogue. It’s supposed to be deep and meaningful, but it comes off as pretentious and forced. Half the time, I couldn’t tell if the characters were having a conversation or reciting a philosophy textbook. I won’t even begin to discuss the plot. The plot is incredibly thin. While some attempts are made to address issues such as gender inequality and urban isolation, they lack subtlety. Despite its attempts to be profound, the film ultimately lacks depth.
The soundtrack is forgettable at best and downright annoying at worst. There were moments when the music swelled, and I thought, “Oh, something important must be happening!” Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t.
Now, I’m all for slow-burn dramas that tackle social issues. However, All We Imagine as Light feels less like a slow-burning drama and more like a mediocre film. It’s like the film is so caught up in trying to be artsy that it forgets to be, well, interesting. Look, I wanted to like this movie. I really did. But by the end, I was left feeling more frustrated than enlightened. It’s like being promised a gourmet meal and getting served a bland bowl of oatmeal instead.
If you’re into experimental Indian cinema and have a lot of patience, you might find something to appreciate here. However, All We Imagine as Light is likely to be as enjoyable for most people as a root canal procedure. Save yourself the trouble and watch paint dry instead—it’s cheaper and probably more entertaining.
In the end, this film is a prime example of style over substance. It’s got some pretty pictures, sure, but not much else. If you’re looking for a meaningful exploration of women’s lives in modern India, you’re better off looking elsewhere. This one’s a snooze fest that’ll leave you wishing for all the time you can’t imagine getting back.