The sunbaked, drought-stricken terrain of southeast India is a major determinant of the action in P S Vinothraj’s beautifully crafted, precisely plotted debut, “Pebbles.” Taking a simple premise with all the focus and penetration of a perfectly constructed short story, the writer-director transforms the drama of a young boy dragged between villages by his abusive alcoholic father into a larger, unforced statement about toxic patriarchy, limited resources, and the silent, enduring place of women as enablers of life. Boasting an exquisite use of framing and a deeply sympathetic, never cloying child as protagonist, “Pebbles” deserves widespread promotion.
It’s fortunate that Tamil celebrities of the caliber of actress Nayanthara and director Vignesh Shivan boarded as producers, guaranteeing a certain level of attention at least in their home state of Tamil Nadu. Vinothraj’s film, just over an hour long without the credits, is the kind of small-scale independent Indian...
It’s fortunate that Tamil celebrities of the caliber of actress Nayanthara and director Vignesh Shivan boarded as producers, guaranteeing a certain level of attention at least in their home state of Tamil Nadu. Vinothraj’s film, just over an hour long without the credits, is the kind of small-scale independent Indian...
- 2/6/2021
- by Jay Weissberg
- Variety Film + TV
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