Is In Custody Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1994)

📖 The Core Premise

In Custody stands as a 1994 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama, Comedy landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Ismail Merchant's feature directorial debut addresses a subject close to his heart: the expressive Urdu language of Northern India, in danger of extinction as political trends and modernization obscure its contributions to Indian culture. Merchant 's treatment is wry and good humored , as his characters - an aging Urdu poet (Shashi Kapoor) and a worshipful young college lecturer - clash despite their shared passion for the beauty of words."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Shashi Kapoor feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is In Custody worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, In Custody misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 126 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.