Watch Talentime

Talentime is a 2009 Malaysian movie that tells the story of a talent competition held in an all-girls school in Kuala Lumpur. Directed by Yasmin Ahmad, the movie revolves around three main characters - Mahesh, Mia, and Melur - who participate in the competition and their families and friends. Mahesh (played by Mahesh Jug al Kishor) is a gifted Indian boy who loves to sing and play the guitar. He has a crush on his classmate, Melur (played by Pamela Chong), who is shy and reserved but has a beautiful voice. Mahesh is afraid to confess his feelings to Melur, as she belongs to a different race and religion. However, his talent and passion for music bring them closer, and they become friends.

Mia (played by Amelia Henderson) is a Chinese-Malay girl, who is beautiful, confident, and talented. She sings and dances well, but her overbearing mother wants her to become a doctor instead. Mia's mother disapproves of her daughter's passion for music and sees it as a distraction from her studies. Mia rebels against her mother's wishes and participates in the talent competition without her approval.

As the movie progresses, we see the three characters and their families deal with their dreams, aspirations, and conflicts. The movie also explores themes of racial and cultural differences, acceptance, and prejudice. The talent competition becomes a platform for the characters to express themselves and connect with others.

The movie features some beautiful songs sung by the characters, as well as some established Malaysian singers. The music and the performances are the highlights of the movie, and they keep the viewers engaged throughout. The movie also has some comic moments, thanks to Mahesh's quirky and fun-loving personality, which brings some lightness to the otherwise serious themes.

The performances of the actors are noteworthy, especially Mahesh Jug al Kishor, who delivers a lively and charming portrayal of Mahesh. Pamela Chong as Melur brings a gentle and subdued energy to her performance, while Amelia Henderson as Mia shows a range of emotions and expressions, from defiance to vulnerability.

Overall, Talentime is a heartwarming and bittersweet movie that celebrates the power of music and human connection. It addresses important issues of identity, culture, and diversity, and offers a hopeful and optimistic message. The movie is a tribute to the director, Yasmin Ahmad, who passed away in 2009, and her legacy of promoting harmony and unity through her work.

Talentime is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.