WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Familial kinship, interdependence, and allegiance. This is all well and good when applied to those considered our blood relations, painting what we would hope is a portrait of shared unity, harmony, and mutual respect. But, in also being human, with our own ideas about what is best for ourselves and sometimes others, it leaves the door open to see this ideal picture tainted and splintered. As such, can there be any means of recovery? In the wake of an unanticipated, heartbreaking loss, one sister Janet (Leeanda Reddy) brings together her siblings Riki (Rahul Brijnath), Melissa (Jailoshini Naido0), and Amy (Kajal Bagwandeen) to pick up the pieces and be a comfort to their mother Lakshmi (Lillete Dubey). However, will the time apart, personal agendas, and differing opinions potentially undermine what is really at stake?
Next, my Mind:
A proficiently skillful utilization of dramatic intensity mixed with more light-hearted comedic elements to highlight the equally oscillating facets of one family’s dynamics and expectations when facing an unexpected loss and the subsequent grief as they process while spending three (possibly intolerable) days togther, this 96-minute feature film effort from writer/director/producer Bianca Isaac and producer Gregory Mthanji made a truly indelible statement for its first-time feature film helmer while bringing full levels of entertainment, stirring emotional depth, and deep relevance in its themes while screening at the 2020 ECSA: Escapist Cinema of South Asia online film festival, presented by Jingo Media and sister festivals DFW SAFF and NYC SAFF.
Additionally presenting looks at questions of happiness, contentment, marriage, children, deep commitment, love, familial loyalty, admitting when needing help, owning up to mistakes, a willingness to sacrifice for those we cherish, and realizing our own inward vanity, plus perception and how it all affects not only us but others, the film does a supremely acute job of making the viewer invest in the myriad of characters involved, doing so in a way that is not at all shallow or just “surface”, rather treating us to a very transparent exploration of each of their circumstances while showcasing how it all folds into the foundational event that has brought them together. The narrative is boldly candid in its depictions of their flaws, yet still finds plenty that provides us hilarity amongst what could have been complete dysfunction.
What then becomes the film’s greater strength are the notions of reconciliation, healing, self-improvement, and forgiveness while bringing the necessary and much needed truth that family is exactly that–FAMILY. We make it through, we find the paths, even in the craziest or direst of situations, and this critic absolutely loved the emotive profoundness that the story exudes throughout, even more so by its admittedly tear-jerking finale. It’s purpose and intent behind this, and the lessons we can all learn from the film are honestly tangible and wholly accessible, since we can all relate in some form to times like this with our own kin. The film is so clearly, cleanly shot, and very much makes no bones about its diaspora roots seeing as the effort was filmed entirely in South Africa, where the director herself currently resides. Creativity has NO borders, folks. Period.
Once more I get to highly laud yet another brilliant ensemble cast, here starting with Reddy as Janet, a woman of success in business and who could be the most level-headed of her siblings as she attempts to bring them all together for the time they require, doing so with reservation, frustration, yet undeniable love. Yet, her own story is one she needs to experience to come to realizations hidden or unacknowledged, and the journey is funny, painful, and fulfilling, with Reddy excelling at every turn. Brijnath shines as the sole brother, Riki, a man who’s been up, then down, then up again, then constantly immersed in an addiction he cannot seem to escape. His path through this while dealing with the family crisis is also both witty yet rending, as we know his intention IS good, but desperation is dictating so much of his actions. Brijnath expertly presents this throughout the film with high energy and commitment.
Naidoo offers beautifully building performance as Melissa, a woman caught in a loveless marriage after being in one relationship, then ending it, then coming back again, seemingly unwilling to stand up for herself. Yet, she is also the most emotionally broken member of the sibling clan, and watching as she both takes and give advice while then navigating her own life circumstance is ultimately inspiring, thanks to Naidoo’s understated yet passionate performance. Bagwandeen gets what I would believe she saw a one of those “delicious” roles in playing Amy, a highly self-serving/self-preoccupied woman whose jet-setting ways hide the fact she’s actually quite fragile and hurting inside. Seeing her plumb the varying depths of this and the results it brings as events unfolds is another that is amusing and moving, and brings a wonderfully orchestrated moment of release that very much touches the heart when it arrives, soulfully enacted by Bagwandeen.
Then we have veteran actress Dubey as the mother Lakshmi, really at the center of the family’s reconnection due to the state of affairs, who more than makes her presence known as a time of mourning starts devolving into far too much personal drama between the siblings that initiates disrespect towards why they’re all actually coming together. Lakshmi’s ultimate command over them all comes out in both fiery and tender moments that showcase the love she has for them all despite the craziness, and it’s simply a magnificent performance provided by Dubey that so deftly brings this matriarch to life so fully, with total believability and grace. Supporting turns are many, featuring the excellent Jonathan Boynton-Lee as Janet’s love interest Oliver who gets more than his fair introduction to the family’s discord, plus the vivacious Zakeeya Patel as Melissa’s daughter Candice whose rebellious attitude may yield hard life lessons that will change her forever.
We continue to newcomer and, I feel anyway, rising star Kiara Govender as Janet’s daughter Kiara who, like Candice, ends up having to realize that even when life seems unfair or harsh, it still has a way to teach and refine you to good ends. Pranesh Maharaj plays Melissa’s volatile husband Calvin, Shahir Chundra plays Amy’s other half Roy, Tumi Morake plays Babes, a local bookie/gangster with whom Riki is more than familiar with, Ashish Gangapersad as a very strange religious man who oversees arrangements the family needs, often to their consternation, and Ruben Naidoo in a pivotal role you need to watch the film to understand. So, in total, “3 Days To Go” is a film that infuses applicable, real world concepts and our very humanity with a stylish finesse that accentuates both our vulnerability and our strengths in time of upheaval, showing we can all come together, watch differences and obstacles fall, and discover unity, peace, and love so deeply needed and too often missed.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
