October Film Review – A Bumbling Affair

October is an excruciatingly slow movie that seems even more so because of its consistently melancholic tone. For Varun Dhawan who wants to try out different genres, he has done quite well as we see in the October film review.

If October is trying hard to make you feel a lump in your throat, then it shows. The film steers clear of melodrama and keeps to its realistic narrative, and yet at its core, it is largely implicit. The way the story sets itself up early in the first half makes it difficult for the viewer to associate with what follows. Also, there isn’t anything new that you haven’t seen before, and the protagonist taking impetuous decisions driven by emotion over rationality fails to have the desired impact.

Another grouse that I have with the movie is its pacing. Right from the start and well into the first half, the sluggish narrative makes it a tedious watch. Fortunately, it redeems itself to some degree in the latter half.

If you overlook the shortfalls of October, you might find it moderately absorbing. Varun Dhawan does his best to bring credibility to his character, Dan, who is at the center of the story. Apart from being a pivotal role, his nuanced performance is refreshing to watch. Newcomer, Banita Sandhu is probably the star of this one, and although her character, Shiuli, doesn’t have much to say by way of dialogues, her facial expressions manage to compensate for that.

The background score is useful in adding to the contemplative mood of the film. There is quite a bit of implicitness like I mentioned earlier, and director Shoojit Sircar hopes that the audience will go along with the story.

If you aren’t able to resonate with the protagonist’s decisions, October will not be a fruitful watch. There is a lot to be desired by way of pacing as the ending of the film feels rushed considering the way it meanders at the start.

October, then, is a film that won’t stay with you for any considerable amount of time after you have exited the cinema hall. There isn’t any particular scene that stands out, and while the acting is above-average, there is nothing that you carry away with you. October is a floundering experiment that might not be everybody’s cup of tea.

Even the filmgoers that like the film will walk away thinking it could have been much better.

October film review rates October (2.5 / 5)

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