Madly

Madly is a 2016 anthology drama film that explores love in all its ravishing reality and tantalizing complexity through the lens of six talented directors. Produced by VICE, this film pays homage to the diversity of human connections across cultures and generations, taking audience across varied emotional landscapes.

The film consists of six short films, each with its own unique narrative and perspective, directed by an assortment of international directors. The stories are all brought together by the theme of love and how it manifests in its different forms among a variety of characters. The leading roles are delivered by a splendid cast which includes Radhika Apte, Kathryn Beck, and Justina Bustos among others.

Indian actress Radhika Apte plays the lead in the Indian segment, titled “Clean Shaven,” directed by Anurag Kashyap. The story follows her character navigating her way through the societal norms that pertain to love, intimacy and respect in a culture that is rapidly evolving. Apte delivers a riveting performance that brings depth to her role.

In another segment, Kathryn Beck stars in a poignant Australian piece, titled "Love of Love," directed by Jub Clerc. The story delves into the individual struggles and shared dreams of a couple trying to reconcile their past conflicts to preserve their relationship. Beck seamlessly portrays the emotional journey of her character in the film.

Justina Bustos plays the lead role in the Argentine section, "After Love," directed by Sebastián Silva. This part of the anthology looks into a complex story of love and personal passions clashing in Bustos’ expressive and compelling performance. The exploration of themes in this section offers a refreshing and visually rich symbolism of the intimacy and the grief that love and separation can create.

The other segments include “Dusk” from Japan directed by Sion Sono, "The Last One" from the USA directed by Mia Wasikowska and “I Do” from the UK directed by Natasha Khan. All these segments are equally captivating with their storytelling, characters, and themes.

The six incisive narratives each offer a contemporary snapshot of love and desire, reflecting on the idiosyncrasies of human relationships. Every story has a distinctive set of characters dealing with different obstacles, from societal pressure to personal struggles. Yet they are all united by the common thread of candid, intense, and at times painful aspects of love.

The directors behind the segments successfully manage to offer a diverse and insightful understanding of love and desire. The stories may be different, but they effectively illustrate a beautiful diversity of what love means to different cultures, societies, and individuals.

The film’s aesthetics are also notable, with each segment using different cinematic languages and techniques to potently express their emotions and themes. There’s a creative use of camera angles, color grading, music and sound designs that enhances the storytelling, while also reflecting its global reach and variety.

Madly's strength lies in the compelling performances by its ensemble cast, which include well-established and emerging talents. The actors portray their characters with such honesty and vitality, making each segment a captivating journey into their world of emotions.

The film also features a brilliant use of music and sound, which sets the unique atmospheres for each segment. There are heart-rending melodies during the poignant moments, and upbeat tracks for light-hearted scenes, which are well utilized to add an extra layer of emotional depth to the stories.

A brave and unconventionally bold exploration of love, Madly is a cinematic journey that makes you rethink the concept of love beyond its typical representations. It takes you through an emotional rollercoaster, makes you smile and cry, and leaves you pondering long after the credits roll.

To sum it up, Madly is a vivid anthology of narratives that capture the essence of love in its raw and layered form. Through its various lenses of human emotions and relationships, the film leaves you with deep and enduring reflections on what love means in the contemporary world. It offers a profound viewing experience that is at once poignant, thought-provoking and entertaining while offering a keen look at the many faces of love.