One Crazy Thing

One Crazy Thing is an enchanting romantic comedy directed by Amit Gupta and set in the scenic city of London. Released in 2016, the film brings the audience a refreshing take on love, fame, privacy, and how modern society can intertwine these aspects together. Featuring a charming cast including Ray Panthaki, Daisy Bevan, and Dan Renton Skinner, the film strikingly captures the beauty of London while telling a compelling story that is both humorous and poignant.

At the centre of the film is Jay (Ray Panthaki), a former daytime TV star whose career faced a crippling setback due to a scandal. After being overnight famous for all the wrong reasons, Jay experiences the downsides of tabloid notoriety. He leads a rather lonely life teaching yoga, with his encounter with the outside world often limited to comically awkward interactions with his yoga students.

In an effort to reclaim some sense of normalcy, he regularly retreats to his favourite indistinct sushi restaurant. His mundane life takes a turn when he locks eyes with a promising English Literature PhD student, Hannah (Daisy Bevan). A connection blossoms, derived from shared glances across the room - a fledgeling romance that feels both natural and infectious.

However, Jay is haunted by his scandalous past which he managed to keep under wraps so far in his interaction with Hannah. This looming secret forms the premise and complication of the plot, shaping an adventure that features a mixture of delightful highs, nerve-wracking lows, and everything in-between.

The performances by Ray Panthaki and Daisy Bevan are laudable and they expertly portray their characters’ chemistry. Ray Panthaki’s Jay is endearing, humorous, and filled with charm while Daisy Bevan’s Hannah portrays innocence, strength, and the sensible voice that the narrative necessitates. Their exchanges, filled with both tension and familiarity, render the narrative charmingly relatable and engaging.

Dan Renton Skinner adds another commendable performance to the cast. His role as the loud, broad Londoner injects the film with consistent light humour that keeps the mood from getting too heavy, offering the audience plenty of laughs.

Director Amit Gupta demonstrates a keen knack for encapsulating the bustle and charm of London within his narrative. He uses the city not just as a backdrop for his story, but as a character in itself. The familiar sights and sounds of the city, whether it’s the busy streets, the crowded parks, or cosy corners, are captured evocatively, making the scenic tour of London an enriching part of the viewing experience.

Though the film primarily unfolds as a romantic escapade, its subtext raises timely questions about the implications of celebrity culture, online privacy, and the impact of new media on personal relationships. Crafted with light-hearted comedy and sincere romance, ‘One Crazy Thing’ manages to infuse a thought-provoking message using a seemingly simple narrative.

Gupta's use of music in the film is another feather in his cap. A wonderful complimentary score by Michael Price truly heightens the emotional stakes of the story and coherently frames the narrative from scene to scene. Each track feels as nuanced and considered as the characters on-screen, evoking atmosphere and depth to the storytelling process.

Without giving away too much, ‘One Crazy Thing’ is an endearing romantic film that offers not only celebration of love and rediscovery of oneself, but also a pensive commentary on modern times. It does not fall into the clichés we often associate with the genre, yet adheres to the elements that make such narratives so appealing: the courage to love, the fear of disclosure, and the pursuit of second chances.

Wholly, the film is a love letter not only to romance but also to London. Unfolding in the heart of the city with its delightful moments of chance, it tickles the audiences' imaginations while grounding them in reality. With ‘One Crazy Thing’, you are in for a charming journey through truth, love, and self-acceptance, brushed with the abiding charm of London as its canvas.