The Waiting City

Director: Claire McCarthy
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Radha Mithcell, Samrat Chakrabarti and Isabel Lucas
Releasing in cinemas: 15 July 2010
Rated: M

While not the first movie about Westerners discovering the complexities of exotic India, The Waiting City is lifted by the compelling performances of the lead players, with the exceptional cinematography making this a commendable achievement. The sincerity of writer/director Claire McCarthy shines through. Her personal knowledge of orphanages and child adoptions in India gives solid conviction to her story, from dire poverty in rubbish-filled streets to spiritual awareness and sometimes hidden beauty.

After waiting some years for approval, young Aussie couple Ben (Joel Edgerton) and Fiona (Radha Mitchell) arrive in Calcutta to collect their adopted baby, a little girl Lakshmi. Ben’s a musician who seems to have fallen on lesser times, while his wife Fiona is a high powered lawyer. She’s unable to have a child, and places much hope on the adoption. She’s not a believer in God, any God for that matter.

They find the strange tumultuous city full of unexpected extremes. Then the pair are faced with bureaucratic delays in seeing their baby, which places stress on the relationship, particularly when Ben meets up with Scarlett (Isabel Lucas) a hippie friend from the past. He wanders off to play his guitar with her group of backpackers. Fiona, who’s left to deal with legal problems happening back home, finds the sympathetic ear of Krishna (Samrat Chakrabarti) one of the porters at their lavish hotel.

The increasing frustration of their situation increases as does the inane bureaucracy, so Ben and Fiona’s relationship is on-again-off-again until they can finally visit their baby. They learn to appreciate the local culture. Fiona develops a spiritual awareness as they tentatively prepare for parenthood. Deep family secrets are revealed, while a major hurdle lies ahead with serious consequences.

The obviously talented Claire McCarthy, whose previous short film was Sisters, brings India to the screen with considerable flair and authenticity. The texture of poverty is made strong in detail. Ben is caught short in a filthy back street, while a mangy dog urinates on Fiona in another scene. Glimpses of very unwholesome conditions are observed by close shots in striking contrast to other aesthetic images. The tapestry that is Kolkata (or Calcutta), is crowded with colour and confusion and a sense of vibrant life. Beauty and deprivation go hand-in-hand.

McCarthy’s well served by her cast, with flavour of the month Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) excelling in his role as the fretful husband. Certainly this is his most appealing performance to date. His teaming with Radha Mitchell (Children of the Silk Road) makes for a crackerjack partnership. They help each other in their scenes, and both come out with flying colours. Indian actor Samrat Chakrabarti (New York) is also worthy of mention; he’s very good especially in memorable scenes with his screen family. Isabel Lucas (Daybreakers) with a smaller but important role still makes an impression.

Denson Baker, the DOP, needs commendation. His vision of the city goes well beyond the tourist videos, exhibiting xcellent depth in the colour, a sense of careful composition and an eye for detail. He spares the audience neither squalor nor filth, but juxtaposed with shots of breathtaking splendour. Baker’s cinematography is one of powerful factors in film’s appeal. There’s much to praise in this excursion to India; and pleasing to say it’s an Australian production.

John Bale