This Hindi movie is a pretty straightforward slice-of-life story that tries to give a modern look at what it's like to be a single, professional gay man. It dives into how he understands who he is, the chances he missed out on, and the personal choices he’s made along the way. The director used three parallel timelines to tell the story, which honestly didn't make much sense to me. While the core idea was actually pretty interesting, I really feel like this would have worked way better as a short film considering the point it was trying to make. Still, it wasn't a bad watch. The plot centers on Rachit, a city professional, and his friend Shikhar as they hang out for an evening. Rachit is a polished, urban guy, while Shikhar has more of a "small-town" rustic vibe, and you can really see the contrast between them when they talk. As the night goes on, Rachit starts thinking back to some old memories from a long time ago. He remembers being an intern after college in ...
Ruben is a young guy taking a break from college to take care of his alcoholic father. His mother had died in a deadly hurricane that hit their town after which any of its residents have already left. Ruben has no friends, and so his father contacts his brother to give him some job to keep him busy. It doesn't take long to figure out that the uncle is in some kind of drug business. Ruben seems to strive with the business and not too long in the movie his best friend Jimmy from junior high returns to the town. They soon start hanging out and it feels they have some story or relationship from before but we are never told about it. Jimmy shows his old art work that he did many years ago and Ruben convinces him and his uncle to exhibit that as a art show in the warehouse that he works for his uncle in. A member of the city council stops by and he decides to make this a visitor center because the artwork has all memories of the glory that this town used to represent. Jimmy and Ruben start a beautiful loving relationship and surprisingly they are well accepted by everyone and they can be themselves. The uncle moves to anew town, father quits drinking and eventually things are all falling in place.
The film is not earthy shattering or anything but is sensitive and trying to show and emphasize how things are changing in one's life and how you have to continue to keep moving. I Was unsure where the film is headed because it felt that it kept changing the mood and genre at many places. The actors give a good show and you can see that they are very sincere in their portrayal of their characters, but the problem is none of them is charismatic or exciting to hold your attention. Yes, they do a good job of projecting the character but when the character itself is supposed to be dull, there isn't much that actors can bring to the table. I just wish there was more to romance of Jimmy and Ruben and we got to see more story to that. Jimmy's character was so plain and basic, that it was hard to connect. Ruben's uncle was the only lively person who had some gravitas. The story that the writers/director are trying to get across is a good message, and for a low budget, independent film it is alright. The film is neither a coming out film nor a redemption. It is somewhere a mishmash where everyone in their own way is dealing with their grief and issues in life and just need to move on. Thankfully it is set in a work where homophobia doesn't exist, there is no unnecessary drama despite the uncle dealing with drugs and all and overall a happy ending. (4.5/10)
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*After "Ruben's Place"-confusion, "Esteros" became even more captivating - it still has all of me and won't let me escape any time soon :)