Movie: Starfish

Hello readers,

Here's the new day with a new movie review. I recently watched Starfish on Netflix.

Here's what you need to know.

Plot Summary: The film traces the journey of a diver employed by a dredging company, seeking answers from her painful past. A twist of fate brings her face-to-face with an individual who significantly altered the course of her life. The question looms: will this encounter impact the mystery she is fervently trying to unravel?

Movie Review: Based on Bina Nayak's novel, "Starfish Pickle," the narrative unfolds in the picturesque setting of Malta. Tara Salgaonkar (Khushalii Kumar), a deeply troubled individual, leads a diving mission to recover the remains of a naval crew following a ship explosion. The story delves into Tara's life, marked by panic attacks and a tumultuous lifestyle stemming from a dark secret. This secret led her mother, Sukanya (Vidya Malavade), to take her own life, labeling Tara a mistake. Tara embarks on a journey to decipher her mother's cryptic message and understand the reasons behind her drastic decision. Along the way, Tara becomes entangled in relationships with naval captain Aman Sharma (Tushar Khanna) and musician Neel (Ehan Bhat), all while seeking closure.

The film's visual appeal stands out, with cinematographer Jim Edgar and director Akhilesh Jaiswal capturing underwater scenes and oceanic life brilliantly. The depiction of Malta and Sicily, along with vibrant nightlife scenes, is visually captivating. However, the screenplay, credited to Akhilesh and Aditya Bhatnagar (with novelist Bina Nayak receiving writing credits), feels disjointed and lacks a cohesive quality. The focus on Tara's emotional turmoil overshadows the storytelling and the exploration of how guilt and uncertainty impact relationships remains superficial.

While the direction by Akhilesh is commendable, the narrative often feels like a series of events centered around the protagonist. Tara's encounters, including one with spiritual and music guru Arlo (Milind Soman), play a pivotal role in her life story. However, the film's turning point is followed by sequences that appear rushed. The attempt to maintain the mystery surrounding Tara's past results in an ending that feels more ambiguous than open-ended.

Khushalii Kumar delivers a compelling performance as the diver with a tumultuous past. Her portrayal is particularly strong in the second half when her emotional turmoil intensifies. Tushar Khanna and Ehan Bhat deliver satisfactory performances, while Milind Soman excels in his brief role. The film's music, including the folk song "Madhaniya Redux" and the club number "Kudiye Ni Teri," adds to its appeal.

While the film boasts a promising premise and potential for a robust character arc, a tighter and more coherent screenplay could have elevated it to greater depths. Nevertheless, the movie offers a visual feast despite its narrative shortcomings. You can watch it on Netflix and let me know your thoughts on this piece.