Lice review: It's all about circling back to ego-shattering and cruel childhood memories!

In this review, cinematic_beacon aka Rhea gives her take on Lice and how it follows Roshni and Chakor’s fragile friendship as they succumb to social pressure and drown themselves in lies, status, and reputation. 

Before I start to dwell on this film, here is an honest confession that this film was my favourite out of the Focua South Asia package at MAMI. It held this profound sense of honesty and authenticity that feels criminal to overlook. It took me back to my school days - the times we unconsciously divided ourselves into groups based on popularity, intelligence, beauty and whatnot. While introspecting, these labels felt rather unfair and prejudiced, but in this context, it was hilarious to watch through the lens of cinema!

Roshni, a girl who learns about her scratching problem as she happens to have lice in her hair, befriends Chakor, the school's outcast, to protect her lie from coming out. Slowly, their ‘arrangement’ blossoms into a bittersweet friendship of sorts that keeps you guessing whether they actually enjoy each other’s company or are doing it out of compulsion. Seeing such talented child actors do justice to universal roles like these is terrific. Like the rest of the audience, I was teleported back to my adolescence, during which such topics felt more important than discussing the state of the economy and/or world politics.

Both lead protagonists brilliantly attempted to draw in some level of duality and twofold characterization. Roshni’s sly moves juxtaposed with Chakor’s relentless confidence beautifully brought out the narrative's essence. As the story progresses, naturally, we get to the beta turned into the alpha, and the alpha is trying super hard to maintain her position—brilliantly executed by the two girls. The witty use of dialogue combined with the prowess and mastery showcased by Roshni and Chakor deserves applause. Yet still, the best part of the film, if you ask me, would be the ending! 

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After Chakor and Roshni begin hanging out more often, they get comfortable in each other’s presence, prompting them to explore new places together. Sitting in the middle of the fields, they joke around about disclosing each other’s secrets and insecurities, giving the audience this huge whiff of uncertainty, betrayal, and treachery. Nonetheless, this forbidden area is overshadowed by sudden rainfall, which both the girls start playing in. This is where there’s a significant plot twist. The so-called ‘rain’ they’re dancing in is actually pesticide and chemical. This is a deliberate choice made by the director, who cleverly metaphorizes this pesticide rain as a metaphor for their relationship - a little sinister, a tad bit evil, packaged as something good, something helpful and authentic. 

Another tiny gesture I noticed during this scene is Roshni’s behaviour. She thoroughly enjoyed the moment, with her hair flowing in the air and her head shaking from side to side. However, she also seemed to get on top of Chakor and scratch her head violently to spread the lice to her, too. This move was reserved and smartly showcased - raising suspicions and quashing them simultaneously. Oh, how my heart ached watching her do that! It’s incredible to have kept guessing the genuineness of their relationship, making me thoroughly enjoy the cynicism and eeriness of this movie. 

Rest, Lice is a technically sound film, with its story, visuals, sound, and pacing all hitting the right spots. Vindhya Gupta has taken an ordinary subject and made it such an impactful and entertaining film that I couldn’t help but speak to her on a personal level. For those of you who want to go back to grades 4 and 5, watch Lice! It’s an admirable body of work that needs all the eyeballs it can get! 

Lice had its Indian premiere at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival this year! 

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