Tiny Joy | Short Film of the Day

Spotlight September 23, 2024

Tiny Joy

By Leena Pendharkar with 7.1

dramedy · Short Films · english

Romantic and marital relationships inarguably formed a crucial aspect of the many new realities that we struggled with during the 2020 pandemic. The short film explores one such equation while employing a tonality that uses both humor and seriousness in equal measure. The story, in the process, becomes the most notable aspect of the film, alongside the intention to explore the dynamic in all its subtleties and nuances.

Nancy and Nikhil both battle their respective overwhelming work schedules, alongside raising two little girls. Consequently, the house is often left in a chaotic state of disarray. Much of the burden of sorting it falls on Nancy’s shoulders simply as a result of how gender roles often implicitly end up being defined in a marriage. Despite his best intentions and dedicated efforts, Nikhil is unable to show up for Nancy in the way she requires. This, in turn, has affected romantic and sexual intimacy between the two.

The storytelling does an earnest job of portraying how the two navigate the complexities that constitute this reality, while never allowing itself to be overburdened by emotional intensity, and instead, forever allowing humor to undercut the conjured tension. As for our two characters, they have a deeply meaningful realization awaiting them about the significance of small acts and a little more empathy toward one another.
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