‘Reptile’ Review: Netflix Procedural Thriller Is A Glimpse Into Murky Waters Marred By Formulaic Storytelling
AFI Fest’s Full Lineup Includes World Premieres Of ‘Freud’s Last Session’ And ‘Albert Brooks: Defending My Life’offers a poignant dive into the dynamics between a rebellious daughter and a mother with a past not so dissimilar. This film weaves various generational narratives together, shedding light on the age-old war between convention and personal aspirations. This is a heartfelt ode to women of different eras who journey through the challenges and triumphs that bind them.
The film follows Azra , a Pakistani Canadian who isn’t concerned with conformity. Naturally, her parents Miriam and Hassan aren’t happy with her choosing acting classes and an LGBTQ lifestyle. It is these choices that leave mother and daughter estranged. When her father dies, Azra travels from Canada to Pakistan to mourn with her family. Reconnecting with her mother, Azra is privy to some family history as her mom discusses her personal rebellious streak in 1969.
As a young woman, Miriam is fiercely independent, looking for love and looking to carve her own path. When Miriam and her family move from Pakistan to Canada, there is a familial shift as they have to adjust to a new life, and assimilate into the western work force. At one point, Miriam sells tupperware door to door to make ends meet.
Lit up with the vibrant hues reminiscent of the golden age of Bollywood, which include strong, conventional lighting techniques and color palettes, It’s evident that Mirza and cinematographer Matt Irwin desired to frame this narrative in the most opulent and stylish way. These moments are a favorite of mine because there is just something about that period in time that captures all the senses. is a film that doesn’t shy away from wearing its heart on its sleeve.