Popcorn Reviews With Cybèle: Koyla

By Cybèle Elaine Werts  
CybeleW@aol.com

First  published in the Shelburne News, Shelburne Vermont

As I squirmed in my uncomfortable Nickelodeon Theatre seat, I wondered my discomfort was the plot of Koyla or just the bad accommodations. I’ve always had some difficulty with foreign films because they have such a different plot structure, and their pacing plods along. Koyla lived up to both. Although this film was mildly interesting, It didn’t really go anywhere, and most of it covered well trodden theatrical ground. IE confirmed bachelor type has child forced upon him and opens up his heart, etc. Granted, the little boy, "Koyla" was cute as a button, but it hardly made up for an uncomfortable seat and a lack of plot twists. After we see this Don Juan turn into a warm hearted guy, the last scene puts him right back where he started - literally, if not figuratively. I won’t give the cinematography away, but this scene was a little cliché even if the set up was interesting.

You will find a similar starting point in Sunday’s with Cybèle [my namesake] but with a completely different utilization. This film is a dark film noire, and pretty darn sad. It is even more plodding than Koyla - but if you like foreign films, you will enjoy it.

Copyright 2000