After his wife dies, a grieving older man finds he is struggling with the daily tasks that his wife would be responsible for. When his family tries to get him to move in order to take care of him and reduce the amount of work he has to do, the man refuses. Unbeknownst to the family, he received a special last gift from his wife that drives him to become independent.
“Sugee Cake” is, first and foremost, an endearing story of one man's ability to deal with the loss of his wife. In such an emotionally poignant piece on a common theme, the production's success in handling this issue lies largely within the script. Thankfully, the subject is approached with tact and rings a certain sincerity of someone who greatly understands the role a family can play when faced with a loss. Anshul Tiwari certainly captures a family where their bonding is the key; although they are not perfect, there is a certain degree of respect and attempt to help. This comes in first in concern for their father who, like many traditional relationships, is rather clueless to the daily routine of house care. As the story evolves, though, we learn of his perseverance to overcome this and a secret source of inspiration unbeknownst to his family. This culminates in a revelation at a family dinner that leaves a romantic and celebratory impression of the future.
The performances all act to compliment the stellar script, with it feeling like an actual family in tone and mannerisms in which the cast interacts. It feels sincere to the point that if one was presented with the idea that all the cast were related, it would feel truthful. However, to not overly praise the performances, the actors are not allowed too much in the way of emotional exploration, with sadness and frustration only mildly emoted. However, this does reflect the strength of the family, particularly the father figure, but still limits a deeper critique of the performances beyond their actors ability to present a semblance of a real family.
On a technical level, the production does an adequate job of presenting the material, particularly when it comes to blocking. The camera work is largely complimentary to the performers in capturing their more sincere moments, showing an understanding of the importance of authenticating these bonds to make the conclusion more impactful.
“Sugee Cake” is a celebration of the strength of family, both by showing the lasting effect of loved ones after their passing, and a family's ability to come together after a tough time. The unit's resiliency becomes overly endearing through their interactions and love towards each other, leading to a final scene which will melt the heart of any cynic. From my own experience, it was hard not to tear up at the final revelation of what the wife left behind for her husband; it is such a lovely gesture that is expertly established and executed by director Anshul Tiwari. Overall, “Sugee Cake” is a healthy dose of positivity that celebrates the importance of family.
