7 Days

The initial exchanges between the two youngsters are depressingly true to the vapid nonspeak that passes for conversation amongst the accidental denizens of the Disunited States, young and old. Even those with mixed ancestry croak and dither, their intellectual constipation producing a plethora of platitudes. Fortunately, under Sethi's agile handling things soon slither sideways into a layered piss-take of this social ineptitude, thanks principally to Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) and her erratic command of herself and life(style), reversing parental control and manipulation so as to be (true to) herself. Her recognition of life's unpredictability gradually levers the hyperverbal Ravi (Karan Soni) into the concept of "doing less", and even having "fun": he is the product of his talkaholic mother, whereas Rita is her mother's corset-free nemesis. For millions of people around the world, lockdown knocked normality for six, and in this case it is hard not to hope the two realise their luck at confinement. Sethi's directing is occasionally Allenesque (notably the opening and closing sessions with elderly married couples talking about their unions), but refreshingly imaginative. Give it a try.