15 Park Avenue tries too hard - tooo hard to be esoteric, while enduring that reality bites, while trying to be different. It does not do justice to any of the main characters and leaves one wondering about how many of them are schizophrenic. From the directors’ point of view, as well as the viewers’.
In the real world, Mithi, her over-the-top hyper sister, her passive, cowardly, mater-of-fact boyfirend, his maternally hyper but extra understanding wife - everyone seems to be overboard - not far from turning schizophrenic. Mithi does not appear as schizophrenic as much as a victim of tragedies’, rejection and complete self-neglect. Her mannerisms appear to show signs of dementia even as she is getting into her relationship.
The entire plot is very strained and forced and there is nothing as circumstancial as director Aparna Sen would have us believe. The violence and starkness of the rape scene leaves the viewer terribly disturbed and shattered completely shifting focus from the schizophrenzia theme.
The last shot takes the cake - with its bizzareness....and leaves one feeling that the director could be showing signs of schizophenia or atleast amnesia!