SDIFF 2020: The MisEducation of Bindu
sdiff 2020Serving as Prarthana Mohan's feature directorial debut, The MisEducation of Bindu follows a young girl named Bindu (Megan Suri) who has found a way to escape high school and the bullying she faces there. All she needs to do is to test out of Spanish and she will be done with school, but in order to take the test, Bindu must find a way to raise $53.75 by seventh period. Whilst the plot might sound a bit basic, The MisEducation of Bindu stands out as not just an incredibly fun comedy but also a film with a legitimate thematic weight that elevates it to be something special.
Going into the film, it is important to understand the intentions, especially when it comes to its comedy. The feature crafts a unique and layered setting for its story. Rather than portraying high school in a realistic sense, The MisEducation of Bindu creates a high school that blends over the top clichés with comedic lore to great results. Though the setting feels clearly crafted, it is easy to engage with this version of high school and have fun with it – even if the specific details are absurd in the context of reality. The actual plot is similar. The concept of Bindu having to get $53.75 by the end of the day might feel clearly crafted by the screenplay, but also naturally gives the film a direction and focus it smartly uses as a narrative backbone. So many films now believe that they have to ground themselves completely in reality, yet The MisEducation of Bindu thrives as a perfect example of how this isn't needed to build a world that audiences can engage with and have fun in.
What elevates the film, however, is the legitimate depth it finds. From Bindu's strained relationship with her step father Bill (David Arquette) to her dealing with the nasty sides of bullying and school culture, The MisEducation of Bindu will have the audience laughing out loud only to reel them in and bring them to the verge of tears with its quieter and more intimate moments. Though not everything feels completely earned by the film, such as its use of homophobic language, the overwhelming success of this emotional side of the film has to be largely credited to the performances throughout the feature. The film easily should serve as a launching point for Megan Suri's career as she gives a personable and genuine lead performance that both thrives in its comedic and emotional ability. The other main highlight is David Arquette. Even if he is cast in a clear supporting role, if there was any doubt that Arquette could be a quiet and legitimately moving actor, he puts those doubts to rest in this film. Especially towards the end, there are some pieces of dialogue from Arquette that truly stick out as some of the best work he has done throughout his entire career and his complex chemistry with Megan Suri is undeniable.
All things considered, The MisEducation of Bindu is an easy recommendation for most. With its legitimately fun comedy and a heart filled with legitimate substance, the film has enough to be a worthwhile viewing experience for nearly all audiences and absolutely should be looked out for whenever it finds a larger release.
