The Parcel Film Review
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The Parcel Film Review
The movie effectively portrays the current state of social restlessness stemming from growing inequality within the community. It sheds light on how marginalized groups are increasingly becoming restless and engaging in confrontations, even with healthcare professionals, hospitals, and the existing systems. The film serves as a reflection of the frustration and conflict that arise from limited access to resources and opportunities, emphasizing the urgent need for addressing these disparities.
Despite being a ‘thriller’, Parcel is a slow burn of a film, like its predecessor; one where the storyteller takes his time to release information to you, almost in drips, bit-by-bit. However, the film manages to hold your attention as well as your curiosity. These apparently contradictory and certainly difficult tasks are achieved thanks to a simple yet beautiful story that is relevant, immersive and one that has a strong connect.
Parcel tells the story of a married couple, both doctors, who are grappling with their own personal and professional challenges. The wife has taken a break from her practice for undisclosed reasons, while the husband is disillusioned with the treatment of medical professionals in the country. However, their lives take a complicated turn when the wife starts receiving mysterious anonymous parcels containing seemingly ordinary gifts.
Director Acharya explores the theme of ugliness at the core of the film. Despite the outward appearance of a blissful family, the film delves into their dark pasts and present struggles, highlighting the inherent unhappiness that can exist beneath the surface. It draws a parallel to a beautiful tree that appears pristine on the outside but may be decaying from within. Acharya skillfully conveys the message that envy-inducing lives can mask deep-rooted dissatisfaction and despair.
Alongside the exploration of the couple's relationship, the film also provides a sharp social commentary on the medical profession, exposing its flaws and fallacies as practiced in a country like India. The frustrations of both healers and patients are showcased, with a poignant scene depicting the wife's encounter with a patient whose father fell victim to medical profiteering. This particular scene unveils the ugliness of the healthcare system in India, but my only criticism lies in its brevity, as I believe more exploration of this theme could have been beneficial.
Overall, Parcel skillfully weaves together personal struggles, social commentary, and a sense of mystery, capturing the complexities of human existence and the flaws within our societal systems.