It is raining cats, dogs and snakes outside. An elderly couple breaks into an impromptu dance in their kitchen. This sequence is intercut with a dance performed by the same couple at a much earlier phase in their life. There is an adorable moment when the elderly lady can't quite hold a pose. But she tries gamely. She is in a state of bliss amidst the seemingly huge imperfection that has marked the couple's present state - the husband, a retired army officer, is suffering from Alzheimer's. And then, he suddenly snaps out of the wondrous reverie. He can't recognize the lady as his wife. What is still imprinted in his mind is the image of the much younger girl that he fell head-over-heels in love, even if the marriage itself was arranged. In a fit of disgust, he throws a tantrum and some flour on the wife for good measure. The wife loses her temper but only for a split-second. She knows that it is not the husband's fault. Amidst the heartbreaking moment, she focuses on a practical detail - she has to change. Life has to move on. It is this kind of detailing that sets Lakshmy Ramakrishan's "House Owner" apart. The nuance not only brings the drama to life but also right next to us.
