DVD Corner

All We Imagine As Light Blu-ray Review

“All We Imagine As Light” is an insightful character drama. 

Written and directed by Payal Kapadia, 2024’s award-winning “All We Imagine As Light” revolves around 2 nurses (Prabha and Anu who also happen to be roomies) and a cook (Parvaty) who work together at a hospital in the busy city of Mumbai. Prabha is a quiet and reserved nurse who is lonely and heartsick for her husband from an arranged marriage that has been off working in Germany. The situation is made worse by the fact that she barely even knows her husband. Worse still, a kindly Doctor has a crush on Prabha but she is unable to act on any feelings she may have for him given that she is married. Anu is a young adventurous nurse that has been sneaking around with her Muslim boyfriend Shiaz. She is being pressured by her parents to marry someone. Parvaty is an older woman who is being forced out of her building. As a result, she decides to quit her job and move back to a tranquil village. Prabha and Anu accompany Parvaty to the village where all 3 women begin to question their future.

From the get go, “All We Imagine As Light” grabs your attention with its authentic, grounded, and near documentary like approach to filmmaking. Director Payal Kapadia has a real knack for creating realism as she explores the everyday lives of 3 women in India who have to overcome obstacles in the hope of a better life. Of course, that makes sense given that Kapadia has a documentary background. Within the central framework, Kapadia also touches on fate, culture, friendship, gender roles, romance and the choices that shape our lives. She crafts an intentionally quiet and spiritual feminist character piece, but there’s a lot going on here thematically that deepens the overall storytelling. 

If there’s any knock on the film it would have to be an event in the third act which feels far too convenient (no spoilers as to what that is). Sure, it’s integral to the story and Prabha’s character arc, but it’s the type of plot point that feels like a bit of a stretch. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? ‘Light’ has a very distinct look and style and this print maintains that vision and its grain. It’s a solid transfer.

Audio Track: Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track is crisp throughout. 

Extras include a trailer, a booklet with an essay by Michael Joshua Rowin, and the 18 ½ minute “Meet The Filmmakers” which features an interview with director Payal Kapadia who talks about everything from her influences, her life, and her film work.

July 12, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | All We Imagine As Light, All We Imagine As Light Blu-ray Review