Saajan Fernandes is a civil service accountant in Mumbai, India, with one month to go on his job before he retires. He subscribes to the "dabbawalas" system, where he has his food delivered to his desk from outside of work. Saajan's food comes from a restaurant but due to a mix-up, he receives lunches prepared by another man's wife, Ila. When Ila receives the lunch containers back, they're licked clean and she assumes her husband liked what she made for him. After speaking with her husband, it becomes apparent that he never received the food she had prepared. She decides to keep preparing meals for the stranger, who seems to be enjoying them.
The next note from Saajan suggests that that food is a tad bit salty. Not insulted, Ila decides to adapt her concoctions to his specifications, and seeks culinary advice from her neighbor one flight above, by shouting to her through an open window (we never see the neighbor, Auntie, who apparently is an older confidante).
'The Lunchbox' takes its cue from the old 1940 Lubitsch classic, 'The Shop around the Corner', where two anonymous correspondents form a relationship. The relationship between Saajan and Ila is at the heart of the narrative but it plays out strictly through the off screen narration of the principals.
The dramatic tension arises over whether Saajan can free himself of his depression, as he is a widower, who was devastated by the death of his wife. Ila also faces a crisis when she discovers that her husband has been cheating on her and must decide whether she wants to leave him.
A sub-plot involving Shaikh, the 'orphan' scheduled to take over Saajan's job is perhaps the most charming aspect of the film. At first, Saajan virtually ignores Shaikh and keeps postponing training sessions for the newly hired employee. Shaikh ends up having to forge ahead on his own and incurs the wrath of the boss when it's obvious he has no clue how to do the job. The boss fires Shaikh but Saajan takes the blame and saves his job. Eventually the two become friends, and the friendless Shaikh asks Saajan to be the best man at his wedding.
'The Lunchbox' denouement is designed to be bittersweet but hopeful. Saajan and Ila finally agree to meet; but when Saajan gets cold feet when he shows up at the restaurant where Ila has been waiting for him, she decides not to send him anymore meals. After Ila's father dies, she looks for Saajan but he has already decided to move to another city. Then she decides to move to outside the country to Bhutan, and leave her husband. Saajan changes his mind about moving and on a hopeful note, decides to look for Ila.
Ultimately, the burgeoning romance between Saajan and Ila is not enough for us to completely fall in love with this narrative. One big problem is Saajan's personality. He's such a one note dour character that it's hard to like him for most of the film. Yes I understand he finally comes out of his shell but is this depressing guy really someone you're willing to go along with for the ride for so long? Similarly, Ila is also a bit of a one note, downbeat character too. Her crumbling marriage seems a little too pat and the relationship between her and her husband, seems woefully underdeveloped.
In reality, I hardly think Saajan and Ila are a good couple. Perhaps Saajan's instinct that she was too young for him was a good one. Nonetheless, he's off (in Hollywood fashion) to seek out the newly separated Ila, and win her heart for good.
As a first time director, Ritesh Batra is to be commended. He has a flair for directing his actors and getting most out of his cinematographers. Special mention should go to the composer of some very nice, highly atmospheric music. 'The Lunchbox' was the subject of great controversy in India after the Film Federation of India failed to nominate it for the Academy Awards. Some members felt the premise was flawed since the Dubbawalas could never make such a mistake as delivering the wrong lunch. I would have denied it on the grounds that the simplicity of the screenplay, with its dour principals and sentimental ending, would have precluded it from earning an Oscar nomination.
The next note from Saajan suggests that that food is a tad bit salty. Not insulted, Ila decides to adapt her concoctions to his specifications, and seeks culinary advice from her neighbor one flight above, by shouting to her through an open window (we never see the neighbor, Auntie, who apparently is an older confidante).
'The Lunchbox' takes its cue from the old 1940 Lubitsch classic, 'The Shop around the Corner', where two anonymous correspondents form a relationship. The relationship between Saajan and Ila is at the heart of the narrative but it plays out strictly through the off screen narration of the principals.
The dramatic tension arises over whether Saajan can free himself of his depression, as he is a widower, who was devastated by the death of his wife. Ila also faces a crisis when she discovers that her husband has been cheating on her and must decide whether she wants to leave him.
A sub-plot involving Shaikh, the 'orphan' scheduled to take over Saajan's job is perhaps the most charming aspect of the film. At first, Saajan virtually ignores Shaikh and keeps postponing training sessions for the newly hired employee. Shaikh ends up having to forge ahead on his own and incurs the wrath of the boss when it's obvious he has no clue how to do the job. The boss fires Shaikh but Saajan takes the blame and saves his job. Eventually the two become friends, and the friendless Shaikh asks Saajan to be the best man at his wedding.
'The Lunchbox' denouement is designed to be bittersweet but hopeful. Saajan and Ila finally agree to meet; but when Saajan gets cold feet when he shows up at the restaurant where Ila has been waiting for him, she decides not to send him anymore meals. After Ila's father dies, she looks for Saajan but he has already decided to move to another city. Then she decides to move to outside the country to Bhutan, and leave her husband. Saajan changes his mind about moving and on a hopeful note, decides to look for Ila.
Ultimately, the burgeoning romance between Saajan and Ila is not enough for us to completely fall in love with this narrative. One big problem is Saajan's personality. He's such a one note dour character that it's hard to like him for most of the film. Yes I understand he finally comes out of his shell but is this depressing guy really someone you're willing to go along with for the ride for so long? Similarly, Ila is also a bit of a one note, downbeat character too. Her crumbling marriage seems a little too pat and the relationship between her and her husband, seems woefully underdeveloped.
In reality, I hardly think Saajan and Ila are a good couple. Perhaps Saajan's instinct that she was too young for him was a good one. Nonetheless, he's off (in Hollywood fashion) to seek out the newly separated Ila, and win her heart for good.
As a first time director, Ritesh Batra is to be commended. He has a flair for directing his actors and getting most out of his cinematographers. Special mention should go to the composer of some very nice, highly atmospheric music. 'The Lunchbox' was the subject of great controversy in India after the Film Federation of India failed to nominate it for the Academy Awards. Some members felt the premise was flawed since the Dubbawalas could never make such a mistake as delivering the wrong lunch. I would have denied it on the grounds that the simplicity of the screenplay, with its dour principals and sentimental ending, would have precluded it from earning an Oscar nomination.