chand-suhas

Jay Kelly is a beloved movie star who has entertained his audience for 35 long years. Ron Sukenick and Liz have been his manager and publicist respectively who practically have looked after him as well as made him the star he is all through these years. The life of a star demands an hefty price and not just from Jay but also from Ron and Liz. There is a tribute arranged in Italy to celebrate his career and Jay wishes to spend time with his family, the ones he lacks the connect after all these years while also forgetting the other family he had with him throughout. This is the story of Jay Kelly, an ordinary man who has to find his life's worth on screen.

I am a sucker for these stories and I simply loved it despite the over melodrama as that is exactly what I would like to consume. Casting George Clooney as Jay Kelly itself was a masterstroke as he lives this character and his nuanced performance makes you connect with him. Adam Sandler always delivers in non-comedy roles and his performance as Ron was truly exceptional. There were lots of sacrifices made, both willingly and unwillingly. Jay Kelly comes to realization as he is left all alone and wants to introspect whether it was worth it. On the other hand, Ron goes through an heartbreaking realization himself which he stayed in denial. It is Jay's desperate attempt to fix the issues one last time but life is never meant to be that filmy. To take this journey through this actor's life and to see him find meaning to his life, well on screen was one of the beautiful moments in the film. This one is all heart and I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rahul Ravindran has chosen to narrate a poignant story, to be the voice of someone who has enough fight left in them to stand up for themselves. With The Girlfriend, he narrates the story of Bhooma Devi who is suppressed by the male figures in her life. It is her journey towards realizing her own value and that it is not defined by others. On that aspect, it is in a way a frustrating watch as the scenes are designed to trigger and Bhooma's realization takes it's own time. But the pay off is indeed worth it.

Rahul Ravindran's brilliance is not just in the execution of the scenes but the staging as well. The much talked about mirror scene leaves a lasting impact. The pace does dip a bit to accommodate it's miminal supporting cast as the familiarity of those scenes or the character's actions doesn't surprise. Rightfully the focus shifts on Bhooma and Rashmika Mandanna is fabulous in portraying this character. The tense climax right from her fear in reaching her hostel, followed by her outburst is brilliant writing. Definitely recommended.

Stevie fears her parents separation after her mother has got a job offer in Duluth but her dad who is aspiring musician, doesn't want to move. Above that, she is unable to tolerate her chaotic brother Elliot. The siblings come across a magical book called The Legend of the Sandman and realize finding him in their dream will have him grant them one wish which can help them keep their parents united. The trick is for both Stevie and Elliot to lucid dream and control the dream world. Will the duo be able to get the Sandman to grant them the wish? Do they learn the lesson about accepting the life for what it is, forms rest of the story.

The film offers nothing new concept wise and it is quite predictable too. What works is the siblings bonding and the humor which doesn't get impacted by the predictable screenplay. Kids fearing separation and desperately trying to find an easy solution to it, is something Hollywood can narrate with ease and In Your Dreams, plays by it's strength. The lucid dreaming was a nice touch and the whole dream world is created well. The highlight remains Nightmara whose character is elevated the right way, keeping the suspense intact till the reveal. It is more to do with Stevie's fear while Elliot gets multiple scenes to shine as the savior. Overall, it's a decent one time watch.