New Line Cinema’s Shaapit Stree (dubbed from Hollywood film The Curse Of The Weeping Woman; A) is a supernatural horror film set in the 1970s.
Anna Tate-Garcia (Linda Cardellini) is a social worker. She is a widow and has two children, Samantha Garcia (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen) and Chris (Roman Christou), with whom she lives in Los Angeles.
La Llorona (Marisol Ramirez), also known as the Weeping Woman in Latin American folklore, is a ghost who wants to take away Anna’s children. The folk tale goes that La Llorona had lost her own children and she, therefore, causes misfortune to those nearby. Anna, obviously, wants to save her children. Meanwhile, PatriÂcia Alvarez (Patricia Velásquez) has lost her two children to La Llorona, thanks to Anna’s insistence on freeing them from the cupboard where PatriÂcia had kept them safe.
How Anna uses mysticism to fight the evil entity is the film’s crux.
Mikky Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis have written a routine horror tale, basÂed on Latin American folklore. Since it is an alien folk tale, it may not hold much relevance for the Hindi-speaking audience. Also, lack of novelty is a handicap. On the plus side, the horror scenes are quite scary.
Linda Cardellini does well as Anna Tate-Garcia. Roman Christou impresses as Chris. Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen performs decently in the role of SamÂantha. Marisol Ramirez is good as La Llorona. Patricia Velásquez makes her presence felt in a brief role as PatÂricia Alvarez. Raymond Cruz leaves a mark as Rafael Olvera. Others are adequate.
Michael Chaves’ direction is so-so. Joseph Bishara’s background music is impactful. Michael Burgess’ cameraÂwork is nice. Melanie Jones’ production designing is of a fair standard. Editing (by Peter Gvozdas) is a bit loose, especially in the earlier reels. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Shaapit Stree is a dull fare.
Released on 18-4-’19 at Jai Hind Mukta A2 (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was not upto the mark. The original English version has also opened simultaneously.