Blue Jean Blues movie: Review
By Johnson Thomas
Rating: * * *
An interesting study of the frivolousness of youthful relationships and their effects, in the contemporary context, this film, written and directed by Nitin Mahajan certainly has its heart in the right place. When Nerdy Krish (Raj Thakur) mistakes the attention that hottie Garima (Radhika Deshmukh) showers on him, as love, he was obviously going to be in for a rude awakening. When Garima stops needing his help for solving her study issues, she dumps him - desultorily at that - by claiming that he is not cool enough for her.
Krish, who already has abandonment issues and sees his mother's remarriage as a rejection of him as a son, begins to slide downhill after that. The people who help him through those tough times are his best friend Madhu (Shweta Bisht), his crazy Karthik Mama/uncle (Dr. Sanjeevkumar Patil) and his Mother, Devaki (Ashwini Ekbote) who show concern and caring at the time of his distress.
Krish, inspired by a blog written by an adventure cyclist who has written about the restorative wonders of travel, develops an interest in bicycle riding and eventually decides to bicycle his way to Bangalore to visit Madhu and iron out the fraying edges in their friendship. His experiences along the highway and time spent alone in quiet rejuvenating contemplation help him come out of his crippling depression and see life in a new light.
There's nothing soppy, preachy or sappy about the portrayal of depression or its resolution, here. It's all done rather organically with a matter-of-fact seriousness and an equal measure of playful jest while providing the person with depression, steady motivation, and encouragement towards seeking out the most suitable options for him. The treatment here is true to the subject and the representation of the mental health issue is meaningful.
The cinematography allows us to experience the journey towards well-being through the struggles, endeavour and grit depicted here. While the technique and telling may not be accomplished the message comes across in clear, easily understandable simplicity. This is, therefore, a profound experience. Give it a chance!