New Delhi: Now, when the debate about the selection of 'The Good Road' at India's Oscar entry is going on, we felt the need of taking a look at what foreign film critics said about the film.
Jay Weissberg of Variety wrote: A feel-good movie that touches the heart while steering clear of expectation, 'The Lunchbox' signals a notable debut from tyro helmer-scripter Ritesh Batra. The ingredients on their own are nearly fail-proof, yet it's the way Batra combines food with an epistolary romance between a nearly retired number cruncher and a neglected wife that hits all the right tastebuds. An indie Indian pic with the crossover appeal of 'Monsoon Wedding,' it's sure to be gobbled up by audience-friendly fests before heading into niche cinemas.
Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: A standout in the Cannes Critics Week that has already generated potent word of mouth, The Lunchbox is a charming first feature that describes denizens of the sprawling Mumbai metropolis in a tender, ingenious tale of romance by correspondence. Instead of using modern social media, the virtual couple meets through a lunchbox mix-up that could only happen in India. What is most endearing is the delicacy with which writer-director Ritesh Batra reveals the hopes, sorrows, regrets and fears of everyday people without any sign of condescension or narrative trickery. The co-production among India, Germany, France and U.S. benefits from fine production work and should make its way beyond festivals into international marketplaces.
Meenakshi Shedde of Twitch wrote: Khan, Kaur and Siddique deliver first-rate, nuanced performances. The cinematography wonderfully captures the rhythms of Mumbai's people and their emotional lives, and the editing keeps a gentle pace. The music offers a rousing finale with the dabbawallas' prayers over the staccato of the train's wheels. Some may be disappointed by the ambiguous end. Yet, it is imbued with a poignancy that lingers, along with the lovely line, sometimes, even the wrong train can take you to the right destination.
Richard Mowe of Eye For Film wrote: Much taken with the idea of corresponding with each other at a distance, the pair confide their feelings and try to reach out and finally meet up but whether they do or not is one of the film's carefully guarded secrets. Batra proceeds at a leisurely pace, which suits the mood of the piece to perfection. The script has been well honed in development labs at various festivals, providing a tasty dish for those with penchant for the exotic.
Fionnuala Halligan of Screen Daily wrote: Playing out on crowded commuter trains, rickshaws and old-fashioned taxis, The Lunchbox has a strong visual sense, mercifully avoiding the colour-pop pitfalls. Musically, too, it opts for more authentic, atmospheric sounds of the city. In fact, all technical aspects are a credit for such a small-scale production.
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