Film - Penalty

Penalty is about the racism people faced at a North Eastern Indian college, known to feed the national football team. The film tells an important story, badly.

This could have been so good. It starts with potential national player, Lukram, hitchhiking his way to Lucknow from his rural home across the region full of hope to realise his only dream of becoming an international footballer. His part of the film along with the guys he befriended is the heart of the story. It’s shame we had to put up with the overacting of the actor who played the head coach who’s extended moody shots should have been on the cutting room floor. This along with the cliqued jobs-worth types took away from the strong subject matter.

If the bad acting wasn’t distracting, the final 20 minutes were made to feel even longer with several chunks stretched out unnecessarily.

At least I have learnt something.

5/10

PS There is not a single photo of the lead actor in an action shot to be found. There are plenty of the coach though.