The Lunchbox is gentle relationship movie between an elderly accountant on the verge of retirement and a housewife who marriage is deteriorating because of her husband's affair.
Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) and Ila (Nimrat Kaur) get to know each other over a mix up of tiffin boxes. She has cooked for her husband which is delivered by the Mumbai dabbawalas.
They tend to have almost a 100% accuracy but Saajan receives Ila's food and enjoys the meal. It leads to an exchange of messages between the two as they talk about their lives.
Saajan a withdrawn widower starts to look forward not only to the meals but the messages. It brings colour to his life which is noticed by Shaikh who is meant to take over his job.
For Ila whose father is dying of cancer. She considers whether to develop her relationship with Saajan and arranges to meet up with him.
Director Ritesh Batra has delivered a gentle charming non Bollywood film. It is about characters in various stages of life who see a hint of finding happiness gain.
It reminded somewhat of the film 84 Charing Cross Road that featured Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft corresponding to each other over the years.
I did think Irrfan Khan was rather young to be playing Saajan. He was only in his mid 40s when this film was made, which meant that any romance between Saajan and Ila would had been more believable.
Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan) and Ila (Nimrat Kaur) get to know each other over a mix up of tiffin boxes. She has cooked for her husband which is delivered by the Mumbai dabbawalas.
They tend to have almost a 100% accuracy but Saajan receives Ila's food and enjoys the meal. It leads to an exchange of messages between the two as they talk about their lives.
Saajan a withdrawn widower starts to look forward not only to the meals but the messages. It brings colour to his life which is noticed by Shaikh who is meant to take over his job.
For Ila whose father is dying of cancer. She considers whether to develop her relationship with Saajan and arranges to meet up with him.
Director Ritesh Batra has delivered a gentle charming non Bollywood film. It is about characters in various stages of life who see a hint of finding happiness gain.
It reminded somewhat of the film 84 Charing Cross Road that featured Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft corresponding to each other over the years.
I did think Irrfan Khan was rather young to be playing Saajan. He was only in his mid 40s when this film was made, which meant that any romance between Saajan and Ila would had been more believable.