Trial Period a Bollywood drama revolving around a unique family setup, is not your typical father-son tale. This movie, which tells a tale of a single mother who ‘rents’ a father for her son, introduces us to a unique premise that struggles to fully capture our attention due to its predictable nature.
Directed by Aleya Sen, known for her debut film “Dil Juunglee” (2018), “Trial Period” stars the charming Genelia Deshmukh, the multi-faceted Manav Kaul, and the young talent, Zidane Braz. Despite having an interesting lineup of actors, the film struggles to engage the audience due to a lack of fresh ideas and a narrative that tends to be overly predictable.
The plot centers around Ana, played by Genelia Deshmukh, a single mother who, after a series of events, decides to hire a father figure for her young son, Romi (played by Zidane Braz). This unusual decision leads to a series of comical and sentimental moments that form the crux of the movie.
Genelia Deshmukh’s portrayal of a single mother seems overly dramatic at times, detracting from the character’s relatability. While it’s always a delight to see her on screen, in “Trial Period,” she is unable to effectively convince the audience of her character’s struggles and dilemmas. She seems perpetually out of place and does not successfully pull off the character’s complexity.
On the other hand, Manav Kaul shines as Prajapati Dwivedi, or PD, the man hired to play the role of the father. He easily convinces us as a small-town, socially awkward guy who gradually fits into his new, unconventional role. His chemistry with young Zidane Braz is heartwarming and often carries the movie forward.
The film attempts to present a heartwarming storyline centered around familial relationships. While the movie gets points for exploring a unique concept, it falls short in its execution. One of the biggest shortcomings is the movie’s predictable storyline, which, from the moment PD enters Ana and Romi’s life, seems to follow a formulaic path. Despite this, “Trial Period” does have its share of touching moments, primarily around the evolving relationship between PD and Romi.
The screenplay, which should have been the heart of such a film, unfortunately, feels half-baked. Several instances seem incongruous, and the narrative often feels forced rather than flowing organically. This results in a narrative that, while ambitious, lacks the depth necessary for such a premise.
Despite the narrative’s shortcomings, the film does have its highlights. The background score by Anupam Roy stands out and remains memorable. The tracks “Dheere Dheere” and Kaushik-Guddu’s recreation of the Bengali folk song, “Gole Male,” are worth mentioning and enhance the overall mood of the film.
However, the movie suffers from its weak portrayal of single mothers. The film seems to insinuate that single mothers are inadequate at parenting, which is a problematic and outdated assertion in today’s world where single-parent families are not uncommon.
Another point of criticism lies in the film’s portrayal of the societal dynamics of an urban nuclear family. The movie fails to examine the changing roles within these families with fresh eyes, often resorting to cliched tropes.
In conclusion, “Trial Period” is an ambitious movie that attempts to explore unique family dynamics and relationships. However, the movie’s predictable narrative and half-baked screenplay let down its promising premise.
The performances by Manav Kaul and Zidane Braz are the film’s saving grace, but they’re not enough to fully salvage the film. Despite its shortcomings, “Trial Period” might still appeal to viewers looking for a light, family-centric drama that’s easy on the senses.
The film does have its heart in the right place and shows potential, and it could have been a beautiful ode to unconventional familial relationships. Unfortunately, it falls short due to the lack of depth in its narrative and character development.
How would I rate Trial Period?
Based on the analysis, I rate “Trial Period” 2.5 out of 5. The movie, with its predictable storyline and under-explored characters, leaves a lot to be desired. However, it’s worth a watch for the performances by Manav Kaul and the young Zidane Braz, as well as the unique premise it presents.
“Trial Period” is a reminder that a good story requires more than just a unique premise—it needs an engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and a well-written screenplay. Despite its shortcomings, the film brings out the importance of familial relationships and could serve as a starting point for discussions about unconventional family setups and single parenthood.
