Verdict: Adapting Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s acclaimed 1876 short story
‘The Gentle One’ into a film set in war-torn present-day Sri Lanka doesn’t
exactly sound like an easy task. Prasanna Vithanage’s screenplay and direction
however, seem effortless in transporting the universal themes of love, betrayal
and desperation to the other side of the world. Vithanage is undoubtedly the
small island’s premier filmmaker, and this moving film showcases his talents
beautifully.
Sarathsiri (Shyam Fernando) is a pawn broker who presents a
cold and unsympathetic front to his poverty-stricken customers. That is, until
the beautiful Selvi (masterfully played by Anjali Patil) becomes a regular
customer. He follows her to her modest home and soon learns that she is
betrothed to an ‘old fart’. He takes his chance, awkwardly proposes marriage
and the couple are soon wed, knowing barely anything about each other. But
Sarathsiri’s terrible secret is revealed one day with the visit of an old army
friend. The secret will have a profound effect not only on the marriage, but on
Selvi’s life.
The film is visually stunning, with production designer Rob
Nevis making deft use of the dewy and untouched Sri Lankan landscape.
Vithanage’s heart-warming yet gut-wrenching script flows naturally on screen
and is complemented perfectly by haunting performances from the small cast and
beautiful cinematography.
The civil war in Sri Lanka was a horrifying time for the
island nation, but Vithanage’s work promises a certain hope to the country;
this is Sri Lankan cinema at its finest and will hopefully inspire a generation
of young filmmakers to follow in Vithanage’s pioneering footsteps.
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