Goldfish
By Sakhi Thirani,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Intimate drama on mother-daughter dynamics and dementia.
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Goldfish
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What's the Story?
In GOLDFISH, Anamika (Kalki Koechlin) returns to her childhood home when her mother, Sadhana (Deepti Naval), is diagnosed with dementia. With the help of her supportive neighborhood, Anamika tries to come to terms with the ghosts of her past and reconcile with her mother.
Is It Any Good?
This delicate drama, directed by Pushan Kripalani, deals with love, loss, and loneliness in a beautifully bittersweet manner. Set in London during the early COVID-19 lockdowns, Goldfish brings together one character's sense of alienation due to her past, with her own mother's struggles with dementia. When Anamika tries to rekindle a relationship with her mother, Sadhana, there are bitter fights, lost words, and the customary "tea at four." It's a gentle, soft, and warm film that encompasses the fragilities between remembering and forgetting. Koechlin and Naval come together beautifully on-screen and represent the complexities within a mother-daughter relationship wonderfully. The result is a tender tale of togetherness overcoming loneliness and isolation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how dementia was represented in Goldfish. How did it impact the characters and the relationships between them? Do you think the film handled this illness sensitively? Why, or why not?
Communication, compassion, and empathy are shown within the film. Why are these such important character strengths? Can you think of a time when you've shown these traits?
Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How were drinking, smoking, and drug use portrayed in the film? What are some of the real-life consequences of such acts?
Talk about how the film dealt with themes of loss, death, and pain. How did the neighborhood support one another during such difficult times? Why is a sense of community important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 1, 2023
- Cast: Kalki Koechlin , Deepti Naval , Gordon Warnecke
- Director: Pushan Kripalani
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Outsider Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion , Empathy
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: November 8, 2023
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