All We Imagine As Light Review: A Deep Dive Into the Subtle Drama of Lives in Transition

In the bustling streets of modern-day Mumbai, where chaos and serenity collide, director Payal Kapadia weaves a story of human fragility and transformation. All We Imagine As Light is a delicate portrayal of three women Prabha, Anu, and Parvaty who are caught in the throes of life’s unpredictable nature. This movie offers a poignant exploration of love, identity, and the quest for personal resolution. With its quiet intensity, nuanced character development, and subtle storytelling, the film is a rich tapestry of emotions, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The World of All We Imagine As Light: A Closer Look at the Characters

Kapadia’s narrative centres around three nurses, all of whom have come to Mumbai with their own set of dreams and challenges. Each character faces emotional turmoil in their personal lives, adding layers to the film’s intricate plot.

Prabha: The Woman Stuck Between Two Worlds

Prabha, played by Kani Kusruti, is the cornerstone of the narrative. Having left her small-town life behind, she works diligently as a nurse while grappling with the uncertainties of her personal life. The arrival of a rice cooker a gift from her absentee husband throws her world into disarray. The gift symbolizes the unresolved tension in her marriage. Is this a peace offering or a final severance? The question lingers in her mind as she weighs the possibility of letting go of her past to embrace a new future, especially as a doctor begins showing romantic interest in her.

Prabha’s inner conflict is masterfully portrayed as she navigates between her loyalty to a husband who has abandoned her and the potential for new love. Her evolution throughout the film feels real and relatable, making her one of the most compelling characters in Kapadia’s storytelling.

Anu: The Youthful Spirit Torn Between Tradition and Freedom

Anu, played by Divya Prabha, is the younger, more carefree counterpart to Prabha. Recently moved in with Prabha, Anu is struggling to keep up with her rent and the expectations of those around her. Unlike Prabha, Anu enjoys a more liberated relationship with her Muslim boyfriend, Shiaz, but even that freedom comes with a price. Societal norms and traditions weigh heavily on her, as seen when she disguises herself in a burqa for a romantic rendezvous that ultimately gets cancelled.

Anu’s journey is one of self-discovery and learning to navigate her emotions and desires in a city where relationships are often dictated by cultural norms. Her inner conflicts reflect the tension between modern romance and traditional values, making her character’s arc both intriguing and emotionally charged.

Parvaty: The Widow Battling to Retain Her Home

Chhaya Kadam’s portrayal of Parvaty adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. As an older woman, Parvaty faces a different set of challenges, primarily revolving around her home and livelihood. Having been widowed, she is now on the verge of eviction because her late husband did not leave behind the proper documentation for her to stay in their apartment. Her story represents the plight of countless women who are left behind in a world that doesn’t always make room for their independence.

Parvaty’s struggle with the impending loss of her home and her quiet resilience adds a sense of urgency to the film. Her character serves as a reminder of the precariousness of life in a metropolis like Mumbai, where the fight for survival often extends beyond emotional and relational challenges.

The Tension Between City Life and Personal Freedom

Mumbai, with all its clamour, serves as more than just the backdrop of the film it’s an integral character in its own right. The city’s vibrancy and chaos mirror the inner conflicts of the characters. In the opening scenes, voice-overs from diverse working-class individuals set the tone, showcasing the myriad lives that call this sprawling metropolis home.

For Prabha and Anu, the city represents both opportunity and confinement. They have found careers in a bustling hospital, yet their personal lives are fraught with the restrictions that the city imposes. Anu’s freedom is curtailed by societal norms, and Prabha’s unresolved relationship issues feel exacerbated by the distance between her and her husband. Parvaty’s story is the starkest example of the city’s indifference she faces the threat of losing her home to a property developer with little recourse to fight back.

A Journey to the Village: Seeking Resolution and Peace

The turning point in the film occurs when the three women decide to leave the city behind, following Parvaty as she quits her job and returns to her coastal village. Here, the noise of the city is replaced with the quietude of rural life. This shift in setting also reflects the internal changes happening within the characters. Away from the incessant demands of city life, Prabha, Anu, and Parvaty begin to confront their inner turmoil and seek a sense of closure.

For Prabha, the village serves as a place of healing. Her professional skills as a nurse are called upon in a crisis, allowing her to step out of her emotional fog and reclaim a part of herself that had been buried beneath years of unresolved feelings. This scene, where Prabha is asked to help someone in need, is both literal and metaphorical. It symbolizes her awakening to her own needs and desires, as well as her understanding of her estranged husband’s life and, by extension, her own. The revelation is both hallucinatory and epiphanic, bridging the gap between dream and reality.

The Hallucination Scene: A Glimpse Into the Depths of Prabha’s Soul

One of the film’s most creative moments is the hallucinated conversation Prabha has with a man she saves on the beach. This scene is as mysterious as it is revealing, offering insight into Prabha’s inner world. The conversation feels like a window into her subconscious, where she finally confronts the emotional distance between herself and her husband. It’s a powerful metaphor for the ways in which we often avoid our deepest feelings, only to have them surface at unexpected moments.

This scene adds a layer of surrealism to the otherwise grounded narrative, making the film’s conclusion all the more impactful. It’s in these moments of quiet reflection that Prabha begins to make sense of her past, her marriage, and her future.

Emotional Clarity and the Need for Resolution

While the film builds up to a sense of emotional resolution, the final act leaves some threads unresolved. For some viewers, this may feel unsatisfying, as the closure the characters experience might not resonate on a deeply personal level. However, it’s this very ambiguity that makes the film so human. Life is rarely tied up in neat little bows, and Kapadia’s decision to leave certain aspects of the story open-ended feels authentic.

In many ways, All We Imagine As Light is more about the journey than the destination. The emotional clarity the characters seek may not be fully realized, but the film’s exploration of their inner worlds is a profound reminder of the complexity of human relationships and the constant push and pull between personal freedom and societal expectations.

Final Thoughts: A Quiet, Reflective Masterpiece

All We Imagine As Light is a subtle yet powerful exploration of life in transition. Payal Kapadia’s direction allows for moments of quiet reflection, offering viewers a chance to immerse themselves in the emotional landscapes of her characters. While the film may not deliver a strong sense of closure, it more than makes up for it with its rich character development, nuanced storytelling, and poignant performances.

With a careful balance of tension and tranquillity, the movie speaks to the universal human experience of seeking connection, love, and clarity in a world that often feels chaotic and indifferent. It’s a film that invites reflection, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.