Common Sense Media Review
By Ishmeet Nagpal , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional Bollywood drama about dementia has mature themes.
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Three of Us
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THREE OF US, after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia, a middle-aged woman, Shailaja (Shefali Shah), travels to her childhood home to confront and bid farewell to her most painful memories. Her husband, Dipankar (Swanand Kirkire), and her childhood sweetheart, Pradeep (Jaideep Ahlawat), join her, as the three of them try to find answers and closure together.
Is It Any Good?
A poignant journey down memory lane, this Bollywood drama is understated and deeply evocative. Three of Us is an audiovisual treat—a ballad of rhyming silences and meticulously chosen frames. Director Avinash Arun's vision as director and cinematographer is praiseworthy and is aptly supported by the dialogue writers, Varun Grover and Shoaib Zulfi Nazeer. Ahlawat as Pradeep is sublime to watch, particularly in a scene where he hesitates to briefly leave his daughter in the care of another man. Elsewhere, Shah as Shailaja and Kirkire as her husband, Dipankar, bring the complexities of married life to the fore with their flawless performances. This is a movie that can permanently shift something in your heart, if you let it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the mature themes in Three of Us. What is childhood trauma? How did it affect some of the characters in later life? How can you support someone who has lived these experiences?
How did the movie portray dementia? Was it done sensitively? What do you know about this illness? Do you know anyone affected by it? What kind of support do people living with dementia need?
What character strengths were displayed in the movie? Why are these important traits to have? Can you think of any times when you've shown these qualities?
Talk about the dynamic between Shailaja, her husband, and her childhood sweetheart. Did it surprise you? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: December 29, 2023
- Cast: Shefali Shah , Jaideep Ahlwat , Swanand Kirkire
- Director: Avinash Arun
- Inclusion Information: Indian/South Asian writers, Female writers
- Studio: Karmic Films
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time: 99 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 3, 2024
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