Margarita with a Straw

Having read through the reviews at this movie I am amazed that some people felt the lead character was a nasty/selfish person. If that is the main takeaway then I think you missed a big point of the film, and that is that EVERYONE has issues. Those people who wrote these reviews seemed to think badly of Kalki's character simply because of some of the ways she behaved - as though 'disabled' people are supposed to behave by some kind of superior set of values. To those people I suggest you watch it again and see her as a human being and realize she IS more than her disabilities.

Personally, I found it to be a superb movie. From the script writing through the cinematography to the acting. There were some seriously strong performances and not just from Kalki Koechlin who, quite frankly, deserves an Oscar for her performance.

There's so much to like about this film and so little to dislike and it is very thought-provoking, which has to be a good thing. As others have pointed out it is definitely not a masala movie and as there are some mature themes in it, I wouldn't say it was family viewing, unless your kids are old enough.

Margarita, with a Straw (2014) is an Indian film written and directed by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar.

Kalki Koechlin plays Laila, an intelligent young woman who is gifted in many ways. The only thing that could hold her back is her cerebral palsy. This medical problem is not shown to us as a beautiful young woman with a limp. Laila's body is twisted, she must use a wheelchair, and she needs help in many different ways. She's fiercely independent, but her cerebral palsy keeps getting in the way of her life.

Ultimately, Laila moves to NYC, to go to college. She arrives in the middle of winter. Seeing NYC in winter through a foreigner's eyes was a revelation. The city isn't just cold--it's threatening. However, the first New Yorker with whom Laila interacts is a bus driver in one of NYC's kneeling buses. He is friendly and helpful, and that's a revelation too.

Most of the movie takes place in New York City, and Laila adapts well to her new situation. She succeeds academically, she falls in love, and she's happy. I had expected endless psychological and mechanical obstructions. However, Laila's enthusiasm for life keeps these frustrations at bay. The romantic problems are harder to overcome. How Laila copes with them is the major plot theme.

I need to make special mention of Kalki Koechlin as Leila. She is so convincing as a person with cerebral palsy that I had to check her biography to make sure she did not have this condition. It would be interesting to see an actor with cerebral palsy playing a starring role in a movie. However, Kalki Koechlin doesn't have cerebral palsy. It's hard to imagine how Koechlin could convince us that Leila has cerebral palsy. Koechlin's portrayal shows incredible acting skills. My compliments to her on her great performance!

We saw this movie on the large screen as part of ImageOut, the superb Rochester LGBT Film Festival. It will work almost as well on the small screen.

This film teaches us that irrespective of whatever condition you are born with- being blind or having cerebral palsy or whatever event happens in your life which changes your life's circumstance, you should attempt to not be low on self confidence and self esteem and you have every right to command respect as an individual in your own right, have fun in your own way ie whatever your natural self desires to do and have a positive attitude to everything in life. The question is of whether you are able to be an individual who can follow his or her desire to the fullest as you rightfully should be able to without worrying about its consequences on other people close to you or worrying but making effort to tackle the same truthfully honestly or are you an individual who compromises and sacrifices for others and controls oneself from fulfilling his or her complete desires. The film specifically reveals the reality of natural sexual desire which is there in all human beings but that desire can be anything and being a homosexual, lesbian or bisexual isn't really a crime as many think of it but is an individual preference. This preference is sometimes not easily acceptable by the individual or the society as we have pre conceived notions about what we consider normal and what we don't. There is nothing wrong in that as thats probably wired into our brains but on thinking we should be able to accept what is not normal as well and let individuals just BE!

Overall good acting by Kalki and a good watch.

Imagine the joy when you surmount a big challenge, see a majestic bird soar into the heavens or see someone living big despite a lot of odds!

I was frankly delightfully numbed by the overall story of this movie, the authentic act by the overall cast, especially Kalki. If there is a real contender for an Academy award, this film is rightfully starting at your face!

The only part where I thought there was a little more focus given than fitting was the sexuality but all the same, it was honest! This is not a fairy tale which has to stop at kissing the princess, this is real and what life is all about.

I felt Bollywood has done a somersault and landed on its feet - felt proud.

At the end, without alienating anyone, I would say this is not for everyone. While very entertaining, if you are more of the masala movies type, this may not be for you.

I went to see this film because the last Kalki Koechlin film I viewed called The Girl With the Yellow Boots was very impressive. As was this film. It started innocently enough. Demonstrating Kalki's extraordinary acting ability.

The story was very precious and demonstrated how somebody with the lead characters challenges still strives to have a normal life. And id doing so it became apparent that even with her physical disability she is able to lead a normal and filling life.

Possibly even more so then people who are able bodied.

It we actually a very beautiful film. The film style which was very simplistic actually made it very believable. I will definitely see another Kalki Koechlin film and I can only hope that it is as good as Margarita with a Straw.