“While the mind may be muddled, one’s heart must be in its proper place,” proclaims director Amar Wala through his colossally appealing, humor-soaked drama in this year’s TIFF Discovery bonanza.
Quarter-life crisis hits harder than the mid-life crisis as the year ticks to the end of 2024. It’s the point that initiates one’s career, the point that forms the locus of getting to further heights—as one would say, ‘the game-changer’. It’s quite chaotic for some who haven’t seen the light that welcomes them to their right path—like Ashish here, who has some sort of light beam popping up, but it’s all shaky and mostly uneven. Just graduated from graduate school with a major in creative arts, Ashish (Saamer Usmani) is attempting to pen a short story but is experiencing writer’s block. His career path isn’t blooming much, per se. And that’s not all; his existence is filled with too many unknowns. Firstly, the dilemma of uncertainties in every aspect of his decisions significantly reduces his decision-making capacity. What comes along is the arrival of his estranged father (Bernard White), who informs him that he’s suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The endurance boat begins to sway, but he finds solace in the company of his lifelong friends. Surprisingly, a blooming cupid connection blossoms as he meets Claire (Amy Forsyth), a person who resonates well with the same wavelength. Can it all be alleviated on a perfect balance system, while Ashish quotes, “The real-world hits me as hard as it could”?
Amar Wala’s enlightening insight on Parkinson’s disease comes off as quite personal, given that it was partly inspired by his own father’s condition. We witness the ripple effect of Parkinson’s disease not only on the affected individuals but also on those around them. Ashish pins on his bitter past of his father’s absence occasionally, but Amar Wala carries a torchlight and lets us peep into his delicate emotions, where the care and love towards his flesh and blood remain intact within him. It’s heartwarming to observe a father and son endeavoring to put their differences aside in the face of adversity; the “Nebraska” vibe between them is addictive. Bernard White is amazing, showcasing his rarely seen Indian accent throughout the film, and we simply adore him for who he is. Nevertheless, the film’s spellbinding power is in the upsurge of humor that arrives with each scene. The comedy is unpretentious, leaving us yearning for more each time it finds a space to turn funny—and it will, in its own, special form.
As a non-Canadian, there’s a lot of revelation in the context of admiring the city of Toronto and what it has to offer, which seems like a tour package set by Amar Wala to let us indulge in its own vibe. On occasion, I can see why Ashish finds solace in his hometown; I would, too. Ashish’s emotions are contained and kept within the city’s context, thanks to Saamer Usmani’s moving performance. His unique viewpoint on the decisions he makes to protect family values and the consequences of racism are also noteworthy. Nonetheless, the director compels us to reevaluate the value of compassion in familial relationships, regardless of how marred they may be by emotional resentment and bitterness. In terms of romanticism, the conversations between Ashish and Claire are a cinematic treat, leading each “exchange of ideas” into a sense of pure bliss. The approach where Amy Forsyth re-created Gertie’s infectious energy from CODA back into her role of Claire never gets old.
Shook rises to its name and gradually takes a turn, forming a valley that touches the very core of our being. The film is a crossroads of connections—the realm of interpersonal bonding, be it with loved ones, friends, a romantic partner, or even a city, and the maze of obstacles that shape an individual according to their societal morality and personal affinities. It’s more about discovering genuine connections, the path to enlightenment through compatibility, a sync that signals a shift in reality. Somehow, within Ashish and all of us for that matter, the shaky beams will glow brightly and steadily when the right moment arrives, making Shook a delightful and soothing drama that packs a punch.
Explore our coverage of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival here.
