Hamid

It will take a little extra patience from you but Hamid (given Urdu name) delivers as a heartwarming film about looking for closure in your personal life when things become difficult as does for this young school-going kid in this social drama who decides to take it up with god to find answers. TN.

'Hamid' is a politically precise film. It's intentions are all ought there. And the film is helmed with responsible beauty by it's director Aijaz Khan, who tells the story with honesty and command. He stages entire scenes sans any melodrama, which makes this film a worthy, competent one. A special word for the cinematographer John Wilmore. His beautiful Kashmir is filmed with so much detail and an attention to aesthetic, it's practically one of the best things about this film. But the weak spots of this Netflix film, unfortunately, are more than just a few: it has a sluggish screenplay with bland use of Urdu verse- the Dogri language has a way more diverse use. The performance by Rasika Dugal and the cameo of Sumit Kaul are beautiful. I loved the unnerving way there narratives unfold. But the same cannot be said about Talha Arshad and Vikas Kumar. The phone correspondence with Allah is heartfelt but crude. Despite so many bumps, I have to say that as I hit the back button on Netflix, my heart was heavy and still, I had a big smile on my face. 'Hamid' is an earnest tale told effectively. It only needed some good writing and a handful of more polished actors to be awesome. It's not perfect, but it's very watchable. 3/5.