One of the best movies from india.

This is a bitter-sweet film about beginnings and endings. More bitter than sweet; and more endings than beginnings. One could see it as an exploration of ways marriages can end: through affairs, illness, and death. There is one marriage; and the main story is a blossoming relationship – but film denies us an answer about its outcome.

The movie is beautifully constructed. The story is simple, but there are multiple layers that add depth, and would reward watching the film again. The flow of time is uneven and intervals are sometimes confounding, which adds to the engrossing subtlety of the experience.

The dialog is spare, and exquisitely crafted. The cinematography is spell-binding: shots are held for a long time, and gave me a profound sense of place.

The acting is superb. Most of the story is conveyed through expressions, glances, and tones and voice. Irrfan (who has been called one of the finest actors in Indian cinema) is at his best, and Nimrat Kaur (perhaps better known to American audiences for her recurring role in the TV series Homeland) is a powerful presence. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is strong third pillar in the story. All three characters change and develop as the film progresses, but the shifts are subtle; one often only realizes belatedly that there has been a change.

The simple mix-up of a lunch box leads into a more and more complex relationship between the main characters. "When life sends you lemons, make lemonade", is the lesson of this dramatic movie.

Lovely movie about a friendship and possible romance formed through a misplaced lunchbox.

Lunchboxes get mixed up and a friendship grows. This Indian romantic film hits all the right notes and makes your mouth water at the same time.

Mumbai is filmed in all its gritty chaotic glory, subtle Bollywood tunes provide the lightest of dramatic touches, and lovingly prepared meals become as intimate as a caress, but it is the notes themselves which anchor the film—hastily scribbled ruminations on life, happiness, and mortality exchanged between two sad souls which wind up being as disarming as they are charming. And just to add a bit of contrast writer/director Ritesh Batra throws in a few secondary characters, namely Ila’s grieving mother full of regrets and Saajan’s pathologically upbeat apprentice whose not-entirely-honest approach to life embodies hope and resilience. The question of whether or not the two will ever meet in person is one which Batra dangles playfully in front of his audience, but in the end it doesn’t really matter for in the words of one character, “Sometimes the wrong train will take you to the right station”. In the case of "The Lunchbox" the journey is the only thing that matters and its first class all the way.

Comedy/drama life story with reflections on unfulfilled expectations - very subtle characters and joyful plot. Awesome actors and some scenes with documentary-like background.

I usually only review books, but then a really exceptional film like this one comes along, and I feel no one should pass this by. I did not want the film to end. It is clever, funny, warm and has not even a touch of all the usual pumped-up, empty Hollywood material. This is a portrait of humans, their relationships and communication. I wish current film-makers and film schools would take some time and watch this masterpiece.

A "slice of life" comedy/drama in which a comical situation leads to much soul-searching. Very subtle acting; mostly through expressions.

"The Lunchbox" proves that Bollywood is more than song and dance. It is a touching, storytelling kind of movie. I had hoped for an American-style ending–where the wife leaves the cheating lout and the new couple live happily ever after–while preparing myself for an Indian-style ending–where the obedient wife sacrifices her happiness to economic necessity. The writer/director found a third path, which is probably more realistic than either of my scenarios. The commentary disc helped me to understand the choices in scenery and dialogue and explained the unfamiliar cultural habits.