'The Signature' review—Anupam Kher expertly headlines important yet melodramatic film
The Signature, headlined by Anupam Kher and featuring supporting performances by Manoj Joshi, Mahima Chaudhry, Neena Kulkarni, and Annu Kapoor, arrived on ZEE5 on Friday. An important, timely, and poignant tale of love, loss, and longing, it's anchored efficiently by Kher and underscores some harsh realities of life, but is undone by its tendency to be overtly weepy and melodramatic. It's Kher's 525th film!
Story of two senior citizens and their struggles
Directed by Gajendra Ahire, TS focuses on Arvind (Kher) and Madhavi (Kulkarni), two senior citizens re-exploring themselves in their life's second phase. When Madhavi suddenly suffers brain haemorrhage and slips into coma, Arvind runs from pillar to post to arrange money for her timely treatment. Things aggravate when he's asked to sign a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) form, potentially signaling the end of Madhavi's life.
It will remind you of other similar Hindi films
The shadow of several other similar movies is discernible in The Signature. It joins the league of movies like Uunchai, Goodbye, and Shastry Viruddh Shastry, which were weaved in the same vein and spoke about similar issues. Rhythmic, well-paced, and well-intentioned, it effectively accentuates how the lives of the middle class are fraught with endless challenges, further worsened by a mounting medical bill.
Exposes the exploitation by private hospitals
Ranvir Shorey (in a special appearance) delivers a powerful monologue, possibly one of his career-best yet. His character underlines the unbridled exploitation by some private hospitals that rack up bills at a time when the patient and their family are at their most vulnerable. TS wants you to pause and ask: What do you owe to society, and what does society owe to you?
Kher hits all the right notes with its performance
Kher is a portrait of pathos and melancholy throughout the runtime. Unkempt appearance, dropped shoulders, and an overall sunken demeanor—it's as if he has aged by several years after his wife's sudden hospitalization. Medical emergencies may be hard on the patients but are just as traumatic on the primary caregiver, and Kher credibly fuels life into their rage, frustration, and helplessness.
Negatives: You don't buy all the characters
The Signature could have been a more gravitas-laden film if the supporting characters (especially those who play Arvind's immediate family) had been fleshed out better. It doesn't help that these actors visibly struggle while sharing the screen with Kher, evidently trying to match up to his experience and brilliance. Initially, they are an integral part of the narrative, but simply disappear toward the end!
More on the over-the-top acting
A lot of dialogue is stunted and doesn't quite flow well; when you listen to the characters speaking, you can't help but be put off by how theatrical everything seems. While the more experienced actors still overcome the conversation-heavy scenes, the younger cast evidently falters and stumbles. Moreover, slow, melodramatic music meant to elicit tears also shakes the film's foundation. It's completely needless.
Except the ending, you can predict most of the film
Instead of first staging the characters and the setting well, The Signature dives head first into the central story and then uses conversations and flashbacks to develop the characters or provide context. However, this technique doesn't always work. The predictable tale keeps moving in circles with little to no progression, and the film mostly shies away from breaking any new ground.
Can watch it once for Kher's performance; 2.5/5 stars
It's tough to doubt The Signature's intention as a portrait of our society that equals one's value with the heaviness of one's pocket. It throws hard, cold, brutal facts at you—What's your life really worth? Also a haunting reminder of mortality, The Signature has some poignant aspects going for it; I just wish it hadn't run out of oxygen so soon. 2.5/5 stars.
