Jamaibabu: A chaotic tour of old Calcutta

Is this for you?

If you have a soft spot for grainy, old-fashioned comedies where people just run into things and yell a lot, you might get a kick out of Jamaibabu. It’s definitely not for anyone who needs a tight script or pacing that makes sense. If you hate slapstick, stay far away.

There is something inherently funny about watching Gobardhan wander around Calcutta looking like he’s never seen a building before. The movie uses the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial as backdrops, but it’s less of a travel guide and more of a confused person walking in circles guide.

The whole bit about the 'No Nuisance' sign is peak comedy in this world. It’s one of those plot devices that’s so thin you could practically see through it, but you just go with it because why not?

The 'Big City' Shuffle

I couldn't help but think of The Hayseeds Come to Sydney while watching this. There’s that same energy of someone from the country being completely baffled by urban life, though this one feels a bit more frantic and less put together.

The pacing is honestly all over the place. One minute he’s looking for his friend Amal, the next he’s pretending to be sick just so he can hang around longer. It feels like the filmmakers just wanted to visit as many landmarks as possible before the film ran out. Sometimes, a shot lingers on a fountain or a statue for so long you start to wonder if the lead actor just took a break and forgot to come back.

• The way Gobardhan gets mistaken for a thief is so predictable it actually becomes charming.
• Watching him try to sneak into his wife’s room is basically a masterclass in 'how to get yourself punched in the face.'

The movie doesn't really care about the 'why' or the 'how.' It just wants the 'what.' What if we put him on a bridge? What if he falls down here? It’s charming in a messy way, like a home movie that got a bit too ambitious. 🎥

It’s definitely a product of its time. You can tell they were trying to capture the pulse of the city, but it mostly just captures a man who is very bad at reading maps. If you’re looking for a deep, meaningful experience, look elsewhere. If you want to see someone get hit with a metaphorical door, this is your winner.

I’m still not entirely sure why he needed the sign. But the movie doesn't care, so I guess I shouldn't either. 🤷‍♂️