Sara's - A breezy film that actually weathers a storm!

Bharath Vijayakumar

Sara's is a film about a girl who refuses to bear a child. Well, it actually is about a girl who wants to become a filmmaker and direct her first film. But in all probability, the first sentence is how the plot of the film is going to be defined by a majority. And this mindset of defining a girl through her motherhood is what this film tries to address. Not through preaching but by telling a story.

Sara (Anna Ben) is a go-getter. The first time we see her, she is the one that initiates a kiss with her boyfriend. Much like Jude Anthany Joseph's debut Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, Sara's too is a film narrated through the viewpoint of its female protagonist. And much like Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, here too the girl has a supportive father backing her. Sara is a rebellious girl. Think of it and the majority of the protagonists in our cinema had always been rebellious. Think of it again and you realise that while the guys in our films mostly had to rebel outside their homes in the society, the girls had to battle it out within their homes and family (in other words the crux of the society).

Jude Anthany Joseph creates empathetic characters and this is what makes the film endearing. Even characters that ask Sara to do things that she does not want to, do so from a place of goodwill and their general understanding of life and not to rob her of her freedom. It isn't about Sara vs the rest but how the others are not able to see the very basic right of a woman to make a choice about something extremely important. The romance between Sara and Jeevan (Sunny Wayne) is likable and is based on love and mutual respect. The change in the mindset of Jeevan is brought about convincingly with the kind of peer pressure and family expectations that he is subjected to. In a lesser movie, this change would happen just like that because a conflict has to arise. There is a point in the film where you might even get a feel if Jeevan is being given a raw deal and doesn't the expectations of everyone concerned come into the picture in a family set-up. The film answers your questions. Everything else is secondary and the decision to become parents rests solely with the couple, more so with the woman. Sara is very clear about this but you see when everyone around you says something else, you do begin to wonder if you are being selfish and if they are right. This confused struggle is superbly conveyed in the film. And when she gets a word of affirmation from her father, you realise what it means to her. The film also conveys how the society and family setup makes you believe that you are happy by constantly giving its approval. This it does through the character of an yesteryear actress. Maybe after a point you start believing that you are happy without actually being happy. And despite all the hurdles, Sara is still in a position to make her choice and has a certain privilege. We also get to see the other end of the spectrum through the character of Lissie (Srindaa).The film ends delightfully with her literally kicking male privilege where it hurts the most.

Bottomline:

Pleasant performances, soothing music and a feel good drama is what Sara's delivers. Jude Anthany Joseph actually does something more. He delivers a strong message in a light hearted film. Maybe the best way to weather the storm is by staying breezy!

Rating: 3.5/5