Doubles are a Trinidadian street food. Curried chickpeas (channa) between two pieces of fried flatbread in tamarind and coriander sauce with mango chutney, kuchela and cucumbers.
Dhani (Sanjiv Boodhu) who is of Indian descent and his mother run a small roadside stand selling doubles in Trinidad. It is a marginal existence worsened by a robbery of the stand. In dire straights Dhani leaves Trinidad for Toronto to obtain funds from his long-estranged father Ragbir (Errol Sitahal). Word in Trinidad is Ragbir has been successful in Toronto as a chef and lives in a big house driving a luxury SUV. Dhani, upon arriving in Toronto, discovers Ragbir is a dishwasher, cleaner and busboy at a small Caribbean restaurant and has no money to his name.
Dhani is angry, bitter and a passionless man. He encounters Anita (Rashaana Cumberbatch) at the restaurant a perfect foil for Dhani. She is ebullient, cheerful and quite a chef having been taught by her mother and Ragbir. Ragbir certainly knows his food but never progressed to chef status.
Ragbir is suffering from a terminal illness. Can Dhani connect with him before Ragbir meets his demise? Anita’s ambition is to open a food truck serving doubles as a dream as she professes food is an elixir and connects people. She considers it a privilege to feed people with lovingly prepared food. Dhani’s view is people will eat anything. Can there ever be a serious relationship between Dhani and Anita so opposite in character?
A film that explores the immigrant experience in Canada, the power of food, forgiveness and starting with “new beginnings”.
The plot is hardly novel but its Trinidadian core, fine acting, excellent soundtrack and food give it a Michelin star quality! In all the doom, gloom and sadness Cumberbatch beautifully injects energy and hope when and where it is most needed. This will not be the last time we see her on the screen.
Witten and directed by Ian Harnarine.
Toronto premiere is 18March2024 at Canadian Film Fest. Their website is https://www.canfilmfest.ca/
RKS 2024 Film Rating 89/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 