The Adversary (1970)

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The Adversary (1970) – S. Ray

Satyajit Ray’s oeuvre includes not only lyrical neorealist classics such as Pather Panchali and the other films of the Apu Trilogy but other films that feel a lot more like psychodramas (e.g., Charulata).  Pratidwandi (The Adversary) falls into this latter category, getting us into the mind of the protagonist, Siddhartha Chaudhuri, as he searches rather hopelessly for a job after giving up on medical school.  We see his resistance to those in authority but we don’t gain much insight into its aetiology. His father has died and he needs to take care of his family but many of his friends seem as aimless as he does (although he seems smarter and more thoughtful).  As his empty fruitless days begin to run together, his mind starts to wander – and we are treated to brief inserts of medical school lectures, “negative” images, and other non-realistic interruptions.  When he accidentally meets a young woman who he could be interested in, he seems to get a grip (although she may be losing hers).  In the end, the episode may have passed, and could be a rite of passage (in fact) or Ray may be commenting on the problems of youth in contemporary society more broadly.  As a moody character study, it works.