Courtesy Netflix Studios
Despite being the third largest movie market in the world, India’s on-again/off-again relationship with queer representation hasn’t shown off much. And while the new Netflix movie Cobalt Blue doesn’t hit the nail on the head, it is a gentle reminder that a little bit of decent cinematography can go a long way.
University student Tanay (newcomer Neelay Mehendale) is a literature nut in mid-1990s India. As the country begins to position itself as a cultural powerhouse, his desires to be a part of a growing poetry movement gets a boost when a vacant room in his house is occupied by a mysterious, unnamed hunk (Prateik Babbar). Sexy unnamed hunk is sexy because he’s always got his chest bulging out of his tight button-ups. You know how it goes. Tanay’s new experiences with love offer a sudden jolt to his poetic skills, too, all while his sister (Anjali Sivaraman) struggles to find that same sense of freedom as she stares down the barrel of an arranged marriage she doesn’t particularly want.
Despite numerous sensual and literary pleasures, Cobalt Blue takes forever to get going. The first rule of queer cinema is to never wait too long for the sexy new arrival—this is what brings our sensitive and artistic protagonist into adulthood. Director Sachin Kundalkar (who also penned the novel on which the film is based) has a strong visual eye, but his direction can’t reach its aspired heights. He’s especially hobbled by the decision to cast many first-time actors who could better learn how to frame themselves in a shot. And even if they did possess such knowledge, Cobalt Blue can’t seem to get beyond its own sense of self-importance even as its egotistical nature offers an entertaining enough ride. Here Kundalkar aims at a more experimental take on the love story contrasted against expected narrative tropes; the strongest moments, however, wind up showcased in montage sequences.
Behold a stretched-out narrative begging to be squeezed back into the tiny home in which it belongs. Conflict within romance feels forced, while most character choices are baffling. Even worse, generally decent dialogue flips toward the end when some shoved-in words about gay rights zap away much of the established subtlety. Even so, for all of its narrative problems, Cobalt Blue’s arthouse aesthetic vibe promises a reward beyond its surface issues. Its editing is superb, however, and highlights an energetic world without dwelling too long in its artistic sensibilities. Far better than half the stuff Netflix crams onto the platform, the rarity of seeing queer Indian cinema at least feels like a worthy use of time.
6
+Visually superb
-Major directorial misses
Cobalt Blue
Directed by Kundalkar
With Mehendale, Babbar and Sivaraman
Netflix, NR, 113 min
