PremiumHow Is That For a Monday review: A confident Kaushik Ghantasala anchors Sripal Sama’s smart crime drama
The plot surprises you with its unexpected turns but you invest in it for the heartfelt storytelling and taut screenplay
Last Updated: 11.34 AM, Oct 27, 2023
Story:
Shyam, a software engineer, has just lost his job in the US. That’s not all, he’s struggling financially, having to loan $1000 from a pawnbroker to pay his credit card bills. Meanwhile, a group of goons is after a dementia patient Christopher Carter, who ultimately land at Shyam’s residence. What connects their destinies?
Review:
It’s interesting to be a film buff in times when storytellers don’t feel the need to confine their plots to a single genre. How Is That For a Monday?, marking US-based Sripal Sama’s directorial debut, is an unusual blend of crime, thrills and human drama. The film has a smart screenplay, the storytelling is unpredictable, breaks norms and you’re intrigued by its twists and turns.
Shyam is a relatable ‘millennial’ corporate professional. He is sleep-deprived, full of complaints, perennially occupied with work, has little time for social life during weekends until all hell breaks loose. He lands in a soup not once but twice and the experiences change the course of his life.
The 86-minute film may not be packed with many events, though there’s enough tension in between them. Shyam finds himself in the middle of a counterfeit money scam, is a witness to a murder and has a life-altering conversation with an elderly man. The tale has many coincidences, is slightly simplistic at times and despite the leisurely narrative, it keeps you guessing.
Even before landing in this mess, Shyam’s conversation with a friend gives him a reality check and hints where the drama’s headed. The director smartly masks his budgetary contraints with a compact, grounded setup. The story unfolds over a few hours in limited locations. The earthy tone and the controlled performances hold the film together.
The film centres on three characters primarily - Shyam, the cop Brandon Mayor and Christopher Carter and how their paths cross with one another. With Christopher Carter, the drama could’ve turned soapy with the ‘motivational’ anecdotes but Sripal keeps the film’s slice-of-life vibe in check. Carter’s backstory with Dean Jon’s eatery has enough heft to strike a chord with the viewer (and Shyam).
With every second film celebrating the greys in cops, it’s relieving to see an officer who is well-intentioned and still means business. The ‘do-gooder’ ending is quite satisfactory, is heartfelt and in cinematic terms - safe. Without giving away spoilers, the film would’ve been more exciting had Shyam went against norms and took the viewers off guard with his choices.
Kaushik Ghantasala makes acting look easy and is a natural in front of the camera. Though this is a situational drama that asks him to react and not ‘act’, he has an impressive screen presence and shoulders the film confidently. His interactions with Shruthi bring a smile to your face, especially with the reference to Akshaya Trititya and her love for superstitions.
Candido Carter’s humanitarian cop act fits the bill. Elester Latham does well to not reduce his character to a sympathetic caricature and holds his own in crucial moments.The other actors in the film - from Megan Barlow to Keagan Guy to Robert Malcom Cumming - perform well within the scope of their roles.
Rahul Biruly’s cinematography, editing (by Raghavender Vuppuganti) and Dawn Vincent’s music score contribute to the rootedness of the ambience, staying true to the film’s mood.
Verdict:
How is that for a Monday? is a refreshing indie film with an innovative screenplay that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Look beyond the crimes and the thrills, the film is ultimately a plea for compassion and suggests a ‘take it easy’ approach to life. Kaushik Ghantasala is a picture of confidence in a meaty, well-written role. Sripal Sama makes a promising directorial debut.