A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox.
It adds up to a delightful film experience, but one that should come with a warning about its constant scenes of delicious food preparation. Watch on an empty stomach at your own risk.
The ingredients may sound familiar, but this is chewier than a rom-com and far more satisfying.
It’s as slight as it sounds, but there’s enough warmth and wit packed in to suggest this Indian charmer could have breakout potential.
The real deal. To quote Master Chef's Greg Wallace, it's a perfectly balanced plate.
Though this set-up makes it sound like the stuff of drippy Hollywood nonsense, it’s actually more Lost in Translation than Nicholas Sparks, with director Ritesh Batra adroitly choosing to keep the focus on the strength that his yearning protagonists provide one another instead of building towards a love-conquers-all fairytale ending.
By its final act, pressing home the most un-Bollywood message that life's often more complicated than the movies,it's assumed the feel and weight of a well-observed short story. Rabindranath Tagore, for one, would be proud.
Delicately judged, handsomely photographed and beautifully acted The Lunchbox marks an impressive debut from Ritesh Batra that is recommended to romantics of all ages.
Will they get together? Should they get together? Will they even meet up? Batra keeps you guessing right to the end of this enchanting picture.
The Lunchbox is perfectly handled and beautifully acted; a quiet storm of banked emotions.
Wry and gently comic Mumbai-set drama.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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