What Is the Story About?
On the sidelines of Durga Puja in Kolkata, a group of friends plan a reunion. They were all part of a theatre group, Amra, years ago and were passionate about it.
Performances?
Analysis
Soumyajit Majumdar helms Homecoming. As the title suggests, the story is about coming home for a bunch of art-related people.
Homecoming is all about conversations, as mentioned above. The many characters talk to each other on various issues, but it all can be put under the umbrella of art, coming of age and self-realisation.
While it’s easy to deduct what Homecoming is about when we reach the final portions, the initial sequences are a bore and drag. The many characters make the whole thing look chaotic.
If you feel like giving up after a point from the start, then you are not alone. Homecoming gets that irritating and looks pointless. The biggest issue here is too many characters and lack of commonality, initially.
But, if one is patient enough and manages to go through the first hour, there are some engaging moments later.
A couple coming together after a long gap, a person realising his true passion over his profession. The reunion aspect kicks in these moments and we connect to the nostalgia on display. The songs do help the cause big time. The prose reading bit is superbly done describing the road, path to coming home (the title justification)
Unfortunately, whatever happens, is a little too late in the day. The ending is again a bore even though the resolutions are found. What we eventually have here is a random colour thrown at the wall and hoping to find beauty in it.
Overall, Homecoming is a reunion tale that’s too self-indulgent and pretentious for anyone to care. It has a few sparks, but that’s not enough to try it as a whole.
Music and Other Departments?
Multiple composers work on the soundtrack of Homecoming. They have come up with memorable work. The songs carry a feel that is missing in the narrative. Anup Singh and Rusha Bose (additional cinematographer) come up with ordinary visuals. They have restrictions concerning the location, but still, it could have been better. Bodhaditya Banerjee’s editing gives a messy feel to the narrative. The writing is a mixed bag with ordinary and good work coming together.
Highlights?
Music
Homecoming Poetry
A Few Conversations
Drawbacks?
Editing
Too Many Characters
Drags Endlessly
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Homecoming Movie Review by Binged Bureau