The movie Santosh (2024) presents a story that is well-written and showcases commendable direction. However, despite these merits, it falls short in key areas, leaving the overall experience underwhelming. My experience with the film revealed several strengths and weaknesses worth exploring in detail.
Story and Direction
The foundation of any good film is a compelling story, and Santosh excels in this regard. The narrative is rich and well-structured, bringing attention to relatable themes and complex characters. The director deserves credit for handling the story with care and thoughtfulness, ensuring it flows logically and maintains coherence throughout. The visual storytelling, aided by cinematography, is another strong point, giving the film a polished and professional feel.
Screenplay and Pacing
Where Santosh falters, however, is in its screenplay. The pacing is excruciatingly slow, which undermines the engaging potential of its plot. As the movie unfolds, scenes linger far too long without adding meaningful depth to the story. This sluggish pace leaves the audience waiting for a payoff that never truly arrives. Instead of feeling captivated, I found myself distracted and disengaged.
This issue is compounded by the lack of twists or surprises in the narrative. In today's cinema, a twist or a well-executed climax can leave a lasting impression on viewers, making them think about the movie long after it ends. Unfortunately, Santosh doesn't deliver on this front. The story's conclusion feels predictable and anticlimactic, leaving little to remember or discuss.
Entertainment Value
Ultimately, a movie's primary goal is to entertain its audience, whether through its storytelling, performances, or emotional resonance. Despite its strengths, Santosh feels overly dull. The absence of a gripping climax or any standout moments reduces its entertainment value significantly. While the film is not entirely devoid of merit, it doesn't justify the time spent watching it.
Audience Reception and Ratings
Another aspect that caught my attention is the movie's rating. Santosh has been reviewed by only 10 people, who collectively gave it an average score of 7. This seems puzzling to me, as such a limited number of reviews doesn't provide a reliable measure of the movie's quality. A rating influenced by so few opinions could easily be biased or not reflective of the wider audience's perspective.
This observation is particularly relevant in the case of Santosh, where the limited reviews might give a false impression of the movie's strengths. For a more accurate understanding, a larger and more diverse group of reviewers would be necessary. Until then, relying on these scores seems unwise.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Santosh has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. The film stands out for its well-crafted story and impressive direction, but its slow pacing and lack of surprises hold it back from being truly memorable. It's a movie that might appeal to those who enjoy thoughtful, slow-burn dramas, but for viewers seeking an engaging and thrilling experience, it may fall short.
While I respect the effort and creativity that went into making Santosh, I can't wholeheartedly recommend it. For me, the film didn't justify the time I invested in watching it, and its critical reception, based on a handful of reviews, doesn't seem to align with its actual quality. If you're curious about Santosh, it might be worth watching with tempered expectations, but for most viewers, there are likely better options available.
