Starfish movie review: choppy narrative and impulsive editing | Bollywood
Akhilesh Jaiswal’s Starfish, an adaptation of Bina Nayak’s acclaimed novel Starfish Pickle, attempts to explore the depths of human emotion, but unfortunately, it’s a bit choppy. The film’s journey is bumpy, with a broken narrative, impulsive editing, and a script that feels lethargic at best. (Also read: Farey review: Alizeh Agnihotri’s debut is an outstanding exam hall heist)
Helmed by director Jaiswal, the film begins with a promising narrative dive, introducing Tara, a diver played by Khushali Kumar. Tara is caught up in the undertow of her own past. But what begins as a compelling exploration becomes plagued by chopps that interrupt the flow. The first chapters offer a glimpse into Tara’s world, only to be interrupted by impulsive editing that prevents the audience from immersing themselves in the storyline.
This movie is similar to a diver forgetting the rhythm of his strokes, causing a temporary loss of concentration and disrupting the overall viewing experience. The story tries to regain momentum in the pre-interlude, but its efforts feel like a struggle against the film’s current, which refuses to be tamed.
Jim Edgar’s cinematography is a saving grace, but it falls victim to the film’s impulsive editing. Capturing underwater scenes with exquisite artistry, his stunning visuals are sometimes overshadowed by abrupt transitions and disjointed narrative. The underwater scenes, which were supposed to be the highlight of the film, lost their impact.
Set against the enchanting backdrop of Malta, the film’s exploration of Tara’s life as a diver and her struggle with PTSD is hampered by a script that meanders lazily through the depths of its subject matter. The conflict between moving forward and confronting past hurts could have been a powerful element, but it feels diluted and fails to leave a lasting impact.
The relationships that Tara develops, first with Aman (Tushar Khanna) and later with Neil (Eehan Bhatt), suffer from lazy scripting, with predictable arcs that fail to evoke the intended emotional response. I am. Milind Soman’s arrival as Argo tries to introduce some mystery but ends up getting caught up in the film’s overall lack of direction.
Despite Khushali Kumar’s commendable performance, the film struggles to rise above the challenges posed by a choppy narrative, impulsive editing choices, and a screenplay that feels like a missed opportunity. Rather than moving smoothly through emotional depths, the cinematic voyage becomes bumpy, leaving the audience to struggle with the film’s uncontrolled flow.
In conclusion, Starfish fails to convincingly explore human emotions, largely due to its choppy narrative, impulsive editing, and a script that lacks the finesse necessary to navigate the complexity of its themes. It fails in its attempt to provide some kind of exploration. Jim Edgar’s cinematography remains a highlight, but falls victim to the film’s overall lack of consistency. For audiences looking for a seamless, immersive cinematic experience, Starfish may feel like trying to find direction in a sea of cinematic turmoil.
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(Tag Translation) Starfish