Watch Herbert

Herbert is a compelling Bengali film directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay, which premiered in 2006. This poignant narrative is based on a novel by Nabarun Bhattacharya and translates its complex themes to the silver screen with a blend of dark satire, existential angst, and emotional depth. The movie stars Subhasish Mukherjee in the titular role of Herbert Sarkar, with strong supporting performances by Lily Chakravarty and Sabyasachi Chakrabarty.

Set against the backdrop of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), the film takes viewers through the life of Herbert Sarkar, a man of many shades who finds himself at odds with the society that surrounds him. Subhasish Mukherjee delivers a powerful portrayal of Herbert, illustrating his journey from an eccentric recluse to someone who develops a strange yet profound connection with the spirit world.

Herbert lives in North Kolkata, an area with a milieu reflecting the city's colonial past and its current state of urban decay. The setting provides a poignant reflection of Herbert's own life—a contrast between the promises of the past and the bleak realities of the present. Herbert's mother, played by Lily Chakravarty, is a character grounded in traditional values, and their relationship showcases the generational differences and emotional disconnect that often plagues family dynamics.

Herbert runs a small business of sorts, a "spirit talking" establishment which he inherited from his father. The place is frequented by people seeking communication with their deceased loved ones, and this is where Herbert's unique abilities come to fore—the ability to channel spirits and act as a medium. However, this business is far from lucrative, and Herbert often finds himself grappling with the emotional weight of his unusual occupation, as well as the skepticism and ridicule from those around him.

Supporting Herbert in his endeavors is a cast of characters that are as diverse as they are peculiar. Among them is Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, who plays an integral part in Herbert's narrative, reflecting the varied human interactions and relationships that Herbert navigates throughout the film. These characters add layers of complexity to the story, each bringing their own perspectives and responses to Herbert's unconventional means of livelihood.

Whilst Herbert's life revolves around the spirits he communicates with, the film delves deeper than just the supernatural. It becomes a commentary on the human condition, the need for connection, and the lengths to which people will go to close the gap between life and death. The juxtaposition of humor and tragedy in Herbert's interactions with both the living and the dead provides a potent exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the ceaseless quest for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent to individual suffering.

Throughout the movie, the director skillfully employs Kolkata's storied environment, layering scenes with a gritty realism that complements Herbert's internal and external struggles. The cinematography captures the essence of the city, along with the essence of the narrative—balancing desolation and hope, connecting the temporal and the eternal.

The narrative style of Herbert combines realism with elements of magic realism, creating a film experience that feels both grounded and otherworldly. The director does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life, yet also indulges in flights of fancy that keep viewers both intrigued and emotionally invested. This balance is achieved through careful pacing and strategic screenplay, guiding the audience through the labyrinthine world of Herbert's mind and experiences.

Dialogue and sound design play critical roles in Herbert, reflecting the film's focus on communication—spoken and unspoken, between the living and the dead. The conversations often carry a poetic quality that resonates with the film's larger themes, and the background score complements the mood, enhancing the storytelling without overpowering the performances.

As for the performances, Subhasish Mukherjee's portrayal of Herbert is a tour de force. He embodies the complexities of the character, from his idiosyncrasies to his profound sense of isolation. Lily Chakravarty delivers a heart-rending performance as the mother, acting as the anchor in Herbert's tumultuous life. Sabyasachi Chakrabarty adds gravitas to the supporting cast, becoming a significant part of the narrative that unfolds around Herbert.

Herbert is not a conventional film, either by its narrative or by its execution. It challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and immerse themselves in a story that is both uniquely local and universally human. It's a movie that stays with you, provoking thought and inviting introspection long after the credits have rolled. With a mix of bleak and comic, ordinary and eerie, Herbert offers an exploration of life, death, and the mysteries that lie between—a story that serves as a mirror to the enigma of human existence itself.