After a breakup with his girlfriend due to his alcohol abuse, Golu seeks reassurance from his friend Jatin who relates a similar story of heartbreak at the hand of bad habits. Will the two friends learn anything from their past misdeeds, or will they embrace old habits when faced with a broken heart?
“Dear Old Habits” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
A comedic take on the vices of men, “Dear Old Habits” captures those on the down and out, lovable losers, who have reached a turning point in their relationship. Say f*** it and have another round with the boys, or buckle down and prove stability to the woman they love. The tone, despite the intended severity of the situation, is wonderfully upbeat to the point of being slightly cartoonish. Thankfully, director Ayan conveys a strong ability to make the ordinary, enjoyably humorous.
In particular, Ayan's ability to control the flow of dialogue towards perfect comedic timing is impeccable. The lines themselves may not be ludicrous, but the reaction and framing of his subjects ensure the dialogue is delivered with a comedic jolt. Consequently, ncessant calls of “baby I'm sorry” as the actors coo at disapproving girlfriends plays for laughs through delivery, versus the sad vision of a man begging to be forgiven for casual indulgence. The cast also deserves special mention here; although the film feels representative of a singular vision, the performers manage to commit fully to the over-animated tone of the project.
The film score embraces whimsy with playful instrumentals, and the visual style is casual in execution – idyllic for a comedy. However, this also allows the production to rely on charm and not concern itself with creativity. Essentially, the technical elements are serviceable but don't elude as to whether Ayan, or cinematographer Ripon Hossain, can expand beyond confined settings and gag pieces.
Ultimately, “Dear old Habits” is a delectable, bite-sized, clever comedy that also manages to touch on the fallacies of addiction and how it can alter relationships. Undeniably, the film aims to entertain and does just that – it won't offer a deep experience but is an idyllic indulgence for those looking for a chuckle.
