THE WEDDING GUEST
UK, 20 1918, 96 minutes, Colour credit of the.
Dev Patel, Radhika Apte, Jim Sarbh.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom.
The Wedding Guest is a brief melodramatic drama full of local subcontinent colour. It is been written and directed by veteran, Michael Winterbottom, whose work includes a range of quite varied dramas and documentaries.
Dev Patel (Slum Dog Millionaire, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, David Copperfied, Lion…) Packs his bags, flies to Pakistan on a mission. He has been commissioned to abduct a young woman from a forced marriage, reunite her with her boyfriend who is paying for the mission.
On the one hand, the film is continually surprising in its detailed look at the towns and cities of Pakistan and India, the range of countryside. On the other hand, the focus is on Jay, his intensity, his commitment to his mission, the death of a security guard, trying to make contact with the man who commissioned the abduction. In the meantime, he gets to know the young woman and her stances – a modern young woman who does not want to be trapped in an arranged marriage.
There are various disruptions to the plan but, ultimately, Jay has to make a decision about returning Samira to Pakistan. It is her wish never to return. There are further dramatic complications, especially the man who organised the mission and his going back on his word, leading to his death, his body being burned and buried in the desert.
Which brings the couple together, a seemingly inevitable relationship – but, the been many indications that Samira is not necessarily to be trusted and, while she does escape, she phones Jay, leaves him enough money – for what?
- The title, the irony is? The forced wedding, Jay and his intervention?
- Sequences in the UK, Jay packing, airport, Pakistan, the location photography, in the streets, the countryside, the atmosphere? Transition to India? Amritsar, Delhi, hotels, streets, cafes? The countryside, desolate? The musical score?
- Jay, his personality, not knowing much about him, his packing, his mission, Pakistan, his plan, techniques, hiring the cars, making the connections, the discussions with the boy, scouting out the house, the intrusion, taking Samira, gagging her, the escape, the encounter with the security guard, shooting him?
- The details of the plan, vehicles, accommodation, security on Samira, her seeming the victim? Phone calls, Deepesh, change of plans, finally meeting him, the money, his hesitations? Newspaper reports of the killing? His wanting Jay to take Samira back to Pakistan?
- Samira, her character, England, returning to Pakistan, the arranged marriage? Her decision, not wanting to be married? Collaboration with Jay, the money, demanding to meet Deepesh, the issue of the jewels? The meeting, the drive, Deepesh and his attitude, Jay rescuing Samira? The confrontation, the fight, killing Deepesh, the dilemma, Samira guarding the body, Jay getting the tools, burning the body, the burial?
- The decision, to travel to the resort, going to the jewellers, trying to sell the diamond, failure? The growing relationship between the two? The effect on Jay?
- Samira leaving, the phone call, the diamonds, leaving Jay the money?
- Jay, in India, his past, his future?
