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Tragedy can sometimes lead us down a perilous path. Whether it happens to us or to others, we sometimes embark in a quest for answers. Maybe to try to find meaning to what happened, or just out of curiosity, or sometimes to even absolve ourselves of guilt. But sometimes, answers don't necessarily bring closure, but bring more pain instead. That is the crossroad at where many of the characters in this Indian supernatural thriller find themselves.
U-Turn follows Rachana (Shraddha Srinath), a young intern at an Indian newspaper that is investigating a series of incidents at an overpass. This involves motorists moving the concrete blocks that divide the road in order to make a quick U-turn and avoid traffic. Most that do so, don't move the blocks back to their place, which in turn causes accidents. However, when one of the culprits ends up dead, Rachana finds herself in the eye of local police, forcing her to look for answers.
This is a film I really hadn't heard of before, so thanks to my friend Darren for bringing it to my attention. It is always great to explore films from other countries and cultures, especially when they are well made. U-Turn might not be perfect, but it is a competent film that manages to establish a good sense of tension, dread, and mystery through most of its run. Director and writer Pawan Kumar knows how to keep us on edge, as characters try to figure out what's happening. He also knows how to throw a couple of good scares at us. There's one "jump scare" in particular that got to me, and literally made me jump on my seat.
Most of the performances are solid. Lead actress Srinath effectively transmits her character's thirst for answers, while also paired with her fears and insecurities. Roger Narayan is pretty good as Nayak, the police officer that tries to help her in her investigation. Unfortunately, Kumar feels the need to stick hints of an unnecessary "love triangle" between Rachana, Nayak, and a co-worker of her that she has a crush on.
Despite whatever strengths the film has through most of its duration, the film's biggest weakness is its need to try to provide all the answers to its mysteries during its last act. Kumar's script stretches the mystery too long and throws one too many red herrings, and eventually succumbs to over-explaining things, which makes the end result to not feel completely satisfactory. It is still a solid supernatural thriller, but a bit more ambiguity would've worked better for the film. Like they said, you won't feel guilty for not having all the answers.
Grade:
U-TURN
(2016, Kumar)
A film from India
-- recommended by Darren Lucas --
(2016, Kumar)
A film from India
-- recommended by Darren Lucas --
"Some questions should never be asked. You won't feel guilty for not having answers."
Tragedy can sometimes lead us down a perilous path. Whether it happens to us or to others, we sometimes embark in a quest for answers. Maybe to try to find meaning to what happened, or just out of curiosity, or sometimes to even absolve ourselves of guilt. But sometimes, answers don't necessarily bring closure, but bring more pain instead. That is the crossroad at where many of the characters in this Indian supernatural thriller find themselves.
U-Turn follows Rachana (Shraddha Srinath), a young intern at an Indian newspaper that is investigating a series of incidents at an overpass. This involves motorists moving the concrete blocks that divide the road in order to make a quick U-turn and avoid traffic. Most that do so, don't move the blocks back to their place, which in turn causes accidents. However, when one of the culprits ends up dead, Rachana finds herself in the eye of local police, forcing her to look for answers.
This is a film I really hadn't heard of before, so thanks to my friend Darren for bringing it to my attention. It is always great to explore films from other countries and cultures, especially when they are well made. U-Turn might not be perfect, but it is a competent film that manages to establish a good sense of tension, dread, and mystery through most of its run. Director and writer Pawan Kumar knows how to keep us on edge, as characters try to figure out what's happening. He also knows how to throw a couple of good scares at us. There's one "jump scare" in particular that got to me, and literally made me jump on my seat.
Most of the performances are solid. Lead actress Srinath effectively transmits her character's thirst for answers, while also paired with her fears and insecurities. Roger Narayan is pretty good as Nayak, the police officer that tries to help her in her investigation. Unfortunately, Kumar feels the need to stick hints of an unnecessary "love triangle" between Rachana, Nayak, and a co-worker of her that she has a crush on.
Despite whatever strengths the film has through most of its duration, the film's biggest weakness is its need to try to provide all the answers to its mysteries during its last act. Kumar's script stretches the mystery too long and throws one too many red herrings, and eventually succumbs to over-explaining things, which makes the end result to not feel completely satisfactory. It is still a solid supernatural thriller, but a bit more ambiguity would've worked better for the film. Like they said, you won't feel guilty for not having all the answers.
Grade: