Perfect World Pictures and Blinding Edge Pictures’ Old (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is the story of four parties holidaying on a secluded beach. The first party comprises Guy Cappa (Gael Garcia Bernal), wife Prisca Cappa (Vicky Krieps), and their young children, Maddox (Alexa Swinton) and Trent (Nolan River). Guy and Prisca are about to be divorced, and this is their last family vacation. The second party is rapper Mid-Sized Sedan (Aaron Pierre) and his female companion. The third party consists of surgeon Charles (Rufus Sewell), wife Chrystal (Abbey Lee), their daughter, Kara (Kylie Begley), and Charles’ mother, Agnes (Kathleen Chalfant). The fourth party comprises a close-knit couple — husband Jarin Carmichael (Ken Leung) and wife Patricia (Nikki Amuka-Bird).
Strange things start happening to the four parties and their members. The group then realises that the beach is rapidly aging them, with an entire year of growth passing every about 30 minutes. The group members also realise that at least one member in every group has an underlying medical condition and that trying to leave will result in them blacking out and waking up on the beach.
Kara (Mikaya Fisher as 11-year-old; Eliza Scanlen as 15-year-old) grows up and develops a special bond with Trent (Luca Faustino Rodriguez as 11-year-old; Alex Wolff as 15-year-old; Emun Elliott as adult) and even gives birth to his baby.
What happens thereafter? Are the groups or at least some of the group members able to escape from the beach? If so, how? If not, what happens to them? What is the mystery behind the rapid aging process?
The story is based on Sandcastle, a novel written by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters. The story is bizarre, to say the least. It has a depressing effect on the viewers. M. Night Shyamalan’s screenplay, like the story, leaves the audience feeling sad and depressed. Besides, it becomes a bit predictable after some time.
Gael Garcia Bernal is alright as Guy Cappa. Vicky Krieps does a fair job as Prisca Cappa. Rufus Sewell does a fine job as surgeon Charles. Alex Wolff is reasonably nice as the 15-year-old Trent. Thomasin McKenzie is fair as 16-year-old Maddox. Abbey Lee has her moments as Chrystal. Nikki Amuka-Bird makes her mark as Patricia Carmichael. Ken Leung is alright as Jarin Carmichael. Eliza Scanlen has her moments as the 15-year-old Kara. Aaron Pierre is alright as rapper Mid-Sized Sedan. Embeth Davidtz is quite nice as the adult Maddox. Emun Elliott is effective as the adult Trent. Nolan River (as the six-year-old Trent), Luca Faustino Rodriguez (as the 11-year-old Trent), Alexa Swinton (as the 11-year-old Maddox), Kylie Begley (as the six-year-old Kara), Mikaya Fisher (as the 11-year-old Kara) and Kathleen Chalfant (as Agnes) are adequate. Gustaf Hammarsten (as the resort manager), Francesca Eastwood and Matthew Shear (as resort employees Madrid and Sidney respectively), Kailen Jude (as the resort manager’s nephew) and M. Night Shyamalan (as the resort employee who drives the guests to the beach, and monitors them) are alright.
M. Night Shyamalan’s direction is okay. He has made an extremely class-appealing film. Trevor Gureckis’ background music is fairly nice. Michael Gioulakis’ cinematography is appropriate. Naaman Marshall’s production designing is okay. Brett M. Reed’s editing is quite sharp. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Old is too weird for the liking of the Hindi film-going audience and hence will not do well at the box-office. The current scenario in the country (restrictions on seating capacity and number of shows, fear of Coronavirus), which is not conducive to cinema-going, will add to its tale of woes.
Released on 17-9-’21 all over (except in Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala) thru Warner Bros. Publicity & opening: weak. …….The original English version has also released simultaneously.