Starfish: A Beautifully Shot Film That Could Have Dug Deeper

Rating: ★★★ (3/5)

Starfish (2023)
Review by Riyaz Ahmed
Film Critic, Mti News

Mumbai,  24 th November 2023 : Starfish, a film based on Bina Nayak’s book Starfish Pickle: A Goan Adventure, is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant exploration of trauma, healing, and the power of the natural world. The film follows Tara (Khushalii Kumar), a skilled scuba diver haunted by her dark past. Struggling with panic attacks and mental stress, Tara finds solace in the ocean, where she can escape the turmoil of her memories.

Director Akhilesh Jaiswal masterfully captures the beauty and tranquility of Goa and Sicily, creating a mesmerizing backdrop for Tara’s journey of self-discovery. The film’s cinematography is breathtaking, using underwater shots and sweeping vistas to convey the vastness and wonder of the natural world.

Khushalii Kumar delivers a powerful performance as Tara, embodying her character’s pain, vulnerability, and resilience with remarkable authenticity. She seamlessly transitions between moments of fragility and strength, captivating the audience with her raw emotional depth.

Despite its strengths, Starfish suffers from a somewhat rushed and unsatisfying resolution. The revelation of Tara’s past trauma feels forced and fails to provide the emotional closure that the film seems to aim for. This abrupt ending leaves the audience with lingering questions and a sense of incompleteness.

“Although the film’s script was somewhat lacking, the performances of the main cast, Khushali Kumar, Milind Soman, Ehan Bhat, and Tusharr Khanna, were refreshingly genuine. The film is carried by Khushalii Kumar’s captivating presence. She exudes an irresistible charm and delivers a nuanced performance, particularly in the film’s most dramatic moments. Ehan Bhat and Tusharr Khanna also make convincing contributions to their roles, but unfortunately, the script doesn’t give them as much prominence as Khushali Kumar’s character, Tara. Milind Soman, an actor with a commanding screen presence, embodies a character deeply immersed in music, meditation, and spirituality. Khushalii Kumar’s initially somber demeanor is gradually explained, and she comes alive in several scenes throughout the film. The film’s underwater sequences and the captivating locations of Malta are beautifully captured, adding to the film’s visual appeal.”

Overall, Starfish is a visually arresting and emotionally compelling film that effectively portrays the struggles of overcoming trauma and finding peace in the midst of personal turmoil. While its narrative could have benefited from greater depth and nuance, the film’s captivating visuals and Khushalii Kumar’s standout performance make it a worthwhile cinematic experience.