Split Wide Open Review

To do something different and simultaneously discuss a few dark and grim realities of life is what most directors dream to do. Unfortunately, when a script with the potential for that presents itself, most of them little idea of how to go about it. This is exactly what has happened with Split Wide Open.

Laila Rouass plays an NRI who hosts a show 'Split Wide Open'. It is a talk show about people, what they have to say and what they hide. The movie revolves around this talk show and its guests. Assured of their secrecy, the guests reveal the darker side of Mumbai. Everything from marital rape, incest and pedophilia to bisexuality and homosexuality are mentioned, but never discussed.

And amongst all this is Rahul Bose, an abandoned kid who has grown up on the harsh streets of the city. He is currently involved with the water mafia (you get a bit confused here - apparantly, due to the water shortage, there actually are goondas who control the water supply in Mumbai) and comes in contact with Laila.

Well, there begins a chemistry between the two that is both sexual and professional, but in the entire scheme of things this wasn't necessary. The movie ends rather shabbily and leaves you a bit bewildered as to what exactly it was all about.

The movie diligently tries to portray the dark lives that the middle and the upper classes of urban India are supposed to lead, but the sets are too bright and the actors just do not fit the mould. They are either just too American or just do not have the physical features to play these disturbed characters.

Rahul Bose has been wasted in the movie. It would be apt to say that this film splits into aimless directions with too many wide gaps, and sadly just scratches the surface without opening anything.