WATCH THE TRIALER HERE
First, the Recap:
It’s a death sentence. There’s no coming back from this. Are your affairs in order? You only have “x” amount of time left, please make every effort to spend it well and with those you hold dearest. All phrases associated with receiving bad news about your health, they carry with them that utter notion of despair that will never exit your mind. Facing another of the world’s most insidious diseases, HIV, and her discovery of its presence in India back in 1986, one doctor made a choice most might find exceptionally drastic–she left a highly successful research position to specifically tackle and directly address the newfound virus and its growing impact as an epidemic in India. Then, this affluent physician desired to interact with those who believed in the affliction being the automatic sealing of their fate, providing them with things they never deemed attainable–love and hope. Journey with surprising matchmaker Dr. Suniti Solomon who paved the road for romance in the age of AIDS.
Next, my Mind:
Showcased as the second film associated with the “Medical Programming” at the inaugural 2019 New York City South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA while also enjoying its New York Premier, this is actually the second time I’ve personally viewed this effort from director/producer/DOP Ann S. Kim and co-director/producer Priya Giri Desai, and the first thing that remains in this critic’s head about it–sometimes, nothing is more impactful, relevant, inspiring, challenging, persuading, and bascially necessary that real life and the holistic truths it encompasses. This is acutely traversed and navigated through this indie documentary effort in a day and age that is already filled with so much hopelessness, fractured relationships, and/or those who might just feel like love will never come along or be deserved.
Instead, this 74-minute film definitively destroys all of these concepts in presenting its uniquely touching portrait of finding that partner for life amidst what could have been the most downtrodden times of someone’s existence via battling one of this world’s worst overall diseases. It then becomes an even grander illustration of compassion, heart, and triumph of the human spirit upon witnessing the story of one woman’s dogged efforts to not only reveal AIDS in India, but then choose to vacate material success and dedicate herself to studying the malady, manifesting an absolute path ahead that culminates into the means to provide those who have the disease to realize they not only have worth and chances to control their illness, but also experience the beauty of a pure-hearted relationship with someone else that transcends the virus and restores genuine happiness. It’s stirring, reaching the viewer’s soul, and it’s the story of Dr. Solomon’s life leaving behind an ongoing legacy of optimism and belief in the shadow of a monster.
As if Dr. Solomon’s journey wasn’t overtly motivational in itself, what drives the potency of the thematic elements being addressed is the other primary factor involved, which is the two additional tales delivered involving Karthik, who’s lived with HIV for sixteen years after a random accident caused his exposure, and Manu, a woman whose arranged marriage left her with a now-former spouse who had the virus and passed it on. Karthik is an intelligent, capable, perfectly affable man who knows what he would desire in a wife, yet reserved, even withdrawn, when it comes to the actual thought of finding someone he could remotely be compatible with. Manu has the personality everyone would love, vibrant and alive, paired with an IT career that’s made her successful, but hesitant due to the past experience in marriage, while unintentional, that left her two years and counting with HIV. In learning about Dr. Solomon and her organization, YRG Care Clinic, these two people find a connection neither ever thought possible.
Thanks to their personal contact with Dr. Solomon during the process, it is heartfelt, endearing, and sincere watching the impact she has on them that changes their perspectives about what it is to achieve aspirations and yearn to be loved, successfully discovering both, all because of one soul’s desire to help others. This mentality ultimately, and posthumously, awarded Dr. Solomon the Padma Shri. The visual presentation of the documentary is so wonderfully personal, made so by the multiple sequences involving interviews with and footage of Dr. Solomon in action both at work and often humorously at home, putting feet to faith and pressing towards the goals she’s had from the start to become something no one saw coming–professional marriage-broker to the broken. The subsequent footage of Karthik and Manu is very cleverly executed, and I leave it to you to watch the film and see what I refer to, as it all leads to a deeply affecting finale which caps the genius of how it was shot.
In total, “Lovesick” takes its namesake and turns it on its head, smartly equating the term with both relational and medical connotations and delivers a documentary that is a must-see effort. Ideally, it will simply bring better awareness of the specter of AIDS and its ongoing effect on those with it whom we need to help. But, this critic hopes, it goes well beyond that and reminds us that we’re all human, we’re all susceptible, and we all have the right to long not only for further cures to treat HIV/AIDS, but to lead by Dr. Solomon’s example and demonstrate higher levels of benevolence and love towards one another.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
THANK YOU, oneflmfan!