Joyland

The title here is a theme park that features only tangentially in this enjoyable and potent tale of "Haider" (Ali Junejo). He lives with his extended family, unemployed, whilst his wife "Mumtaz" (Rasti Farooq) goes to work. He is a bit put upon: he must carry out many of the household chores - even doing the ironing for his brother "Saleem" (Sameer Sohail). His brother has just had a child - another daughter and his father (Salmaan Peerzada) is desperate for a boy to carry on the family name. "Haider" goes and gets himself a job - and an unlikely one, at that. HeThanks to his friend, he auditions for a dancer's job at the local theatre and despite having two left feet, manages to secure a job at ₹40,000 per month for just two concerts. He fibs to his family about the exact nature of the job, and is soon flailing around at the behest "Biba" (Alina Khan) who is the undoubted star of the show. As we progress, however, we discover that there is a bit more to "Biba" the originally thought and as the two become friends we also discover a little more behind the reasons why a son is so slow in coming for the otherwise loving married couple. There is an effective chemistry between Khan and Junejo and as the story unfolds we are exposed to quite a few scenarios that challenge established (admittedly, Western) views of just how society should operate - from the role of both women and men through to the increasingly obvious issues faced by people who don't run in that linear two-horse race. It is funny at times and the dialogue is efficient at helping this characterful story along towards the denouement. Now this is where I felt a little disappointed. Not that it doesn't work - but somehow it seemed to me to be a bit of a sad cop-out from the writers who almost seemed to go along with the prevailing spirit of compliance at all costs. Still, you must judge that for yourselves if you watch it - which I suggest that you do.