‘Boat’ Movie Review: A Tide of Problems Prevents It from Staying Afloat

‘Boat’ launches with an intriguing concept but quickly becomes lost in a wave of clichés, weighed down by its heavy-handed messages.

Ten lives, one boat, and a desperate fight for survival. At first glance, Chimbudeven’s *Boat* appears to be a gripping survival drama. However, like a vessel caught in a storm, the film finds itself trapped in a whirlwind of its own creation. The characters feel like they were designed to tick off boxes on a checklist, and while conflicts are introduced, they drag on without delivering any real resolution, leaving *Boat* unable to reach its intended destination. In addition to the immediate danger of the sinking boat, *Boat* hints at deeper conflicts, such as a terrorist among the passengers and the involvement of a British police officer in the 1943 backdrop, suggesting a potential for rich tension. Unfortunately, these elements are wasted as the characters come across as disappointingly shallow. Instead of exploring their complexities and motivations, the film relies on broad stereotypes and predictable roles. The film presents a microcosm of Indian society, featuring a diverse cast that includes a Muslim (Shiva Sha Ra), an upper-caste man and his daughter (Chinni Jayanth and Gouri Kishan), a British police officer, a pregnant woman (Madhumitha) with her son, a North Indian man (Chaams), a fisherman (Yogi Babu) and his grandmother from a marginalized caste, and a learned man advocating for social equality (MS Bhaskar). Regrettably, these characters come off as mere caricatures, serving as vehicles for simplistic social commentary, which makes the narrative feel preachy. For instance, the film depicts Chinni Jayanth’s Narayana taking refuge in Kumaran’s (Yogi Babu) boat to escape danger. In its attempt to address social issues like casteism, the film takes some illogical leaps, such as showing a character hurling casteist insults in a way that feels implausible.

If the screenplay of the film is like a hole in the boat, then the cast acts as a life jacket, keeping it afloat. The ensemble delivers strong performances, providing a flicker of hope amid the film’s flaws. With an intriguing premise and a talented lineup, *Boat* had the potential to be a captivating survival drama. Unfortunately, it becomes a vessel weighed down by preachy dialogues and uneven pacing. The film’s constant moralizing overshadows any chance for real suspense, transforming what could have been an exhilarating experience into a monotonous struggle. The audience, much like the characters trapped on the sinking ship, longs for a way out from the film’s relentless lecturing.

In the end, *Boat* hints at an exciting journey but instead finds itself lost in a sea of clichés. The director, akin to a captain, navigates the film toward a rocky shore filled with heavy-handed social commentary, rather than exploring the vast ocean of human complexity. While the potential for depth was immense, *Boat* remains a small, leaky craft, unable to weather the storm of its own ambitions.

**Cast:** Yogi Babu, Chinni Jayanth, Chaams, Gouri Kishan, Madhumitha, MS Bhaskar, Shiva Sha Ra

**Director:** Chimbudeven

**Rating:** 1.5/5 stars