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Straw


Straw

I was blinded by tears and had to pause many times to wipe them away as I watched 'Straw' . Straw is a psychological drama written , produced and directed by Tyler Perry, streaming on Netflix. The movie deals with trauma, guilt, helplessness, and grief. 

Janhiya, a single mother with an ailing  child, struggled to have a roof over their head and to provide for her daughter 's  meals and medicines. She was desperately anxious, extremely  careful and tried hard to avoid  her baby girl to be taken  away by the Child Protection Agency. But a series of unfortunate events ended her in a bank with a blood-stained pay cheque and a gun. 

Throughout the ordeal, Janhiya reiterated that nobody cared about her struggles, but got many sympathisers including a lady police officer and the bank manager, by the time she surrendered to the FBI.

Though  melodramatic,  the fact that a part of the events portrayed, actually happened only in Janhiya'e mind made it sensible. The stressed, desperate and confused Janhiya played by Taraji P Henson haunted me. Yes, the movie moved me.

Preetha Raj
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