#Homecoming review: Plabita Borthakur shines in this Sony LIV film

2.5/5

Story:

A theatre group called Raasta has a reunion as the venue where they hosted their plays is about to shut down. The members have an emotional reunion with Durga Puja at the backdrop of it.

Review:

"A good song, a good play and a good film can change the world," Sohum Majumdar is heard saying in #Homecoming. The dialogue is a huge hit when it comes to starting a revolution but #Homecoming simply touches the brim.

While the film has its heart in the right place and treatment that distinguishes a Bengali from others, it connects only on the grassroot level. "What if we get a second chance with the one that got away?" #Homecoming does leave you with hopes, many at that but that is where the story begins and ends - at hope, hoping the film finds its way, hoping there is some kind of closure, hoping to find some moment that stays back. Of course, the film has a few moments but those are almost about it.

#Homecoming introduces Sri (Sayani Gupta) and Hussain Dalal's characters. They both manage to leave a great first impression.

The film explores the core of theatre well. Through just glimpses, it manages to capture the emotion of the medium - unity - quite well.

Tushar Pandey's introduction is quite unexpected and leaves an impact. Similarly, Sohum Majumdar promises something interesting.

The heart of #Homecoming is in the right place. However, there are a few moments which appear unnatural. Hussain's Imroze singing at random appears to be an additional, unrequired force in the film.

On the other hand, Sri's song comes at a crucial moment - when you're still trying to understand why Tushar's character Shubho is the way he is. Sri's fight with Imroze is a huge highlight in the film. It is one of the fewer moments in the chaos when the film becomes an interesting watch.

Tushar has an interesting character and while he really tries to perform well, the actor misses the x-factor which comes with almost every other actor in the film. The problem is not with the way he talks in Bengali because the dialogue delivery is good but the character as a whole and his graph do not go in sync with the actor in some places.

Sohum (Godai) dives into his character almost immediately. It is in the moment when he is finally left alone that you see the real Godai.

The film perfectly captures the vibe and feel of Calcutta, now known as Kolkata. It is one of the fewer cities in India that takes pride in the past it has seen and looks forward to a future where the spirit of revolution still resides.

Even though theatre is at the core of #Homecoming, love is where the heart of this film lies. The complicated, simplified and undeniable love is pretty evident as the movie progresses to its end.

Plabita Borthakur is the one person who steals the show in every frame. Her speech or rather speeches are something to look forward to. They are rare and the perfect tribute to Bengal and Bengalis.

The road is the destiny for this 'Raasta' theatre group members. We never really understand what happened to the group, apart from the fact that they made a lot of memories together, especially during their reunion. These memories are sweet, sad and a little bitter too but they are personal which makes it special. Despite being personal, these Bengalis were united over a kulhad of tea which is a gesture that speaks for itself.

Verdict:

#Homecoming is a sweet film that takes its own time to churn out something. As the movie nears its end, that is when you truly get the vibe of this slice-of-life correctly. It is when the film captures the spirit of Kolkata but that can only be considered a fleeting moment when you look at the film as a whole. Plabita Borthakur, though, shines throughout the movie. If you are her fan, then this project becomes a good watch. Otherwise, watch #Homecoming's second half because that is where you actually meet and connect with the characters.