'83
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'83
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that '83 is a sports underdog drama, based on actual events, with plenty of positive messages but also some racism and smoking. The action takes place in 1983 when the Indian cricket team, led by captain Kapil Dev (Ranveer Singh), defied the odds to become world champions. The Indian cricket team never give up and show great teamwork. Dev leads by example and is a positive role model. He shows his teammates tough love, but pushes them to succeed and to better themselves. A racially-charged brawl sees English nationalists fight a group of Indian supporters, using the racial slur "Paki" in the process. "S--t" and "bloody" are also used. Some bloodshed on the cricket field as a result of players being hit by fast balls. Sex is referred to, as one character claims to have an STD. The Indian cricket team are seen smoking on their team bus, as well as drinking in celebration. With the Indian and West Indies sides dominating the World Cup that year, it leads to an incredibly diverse cast. However, there is very little for women to do, with just one real character of note, which is Dev's wife Romi (Deepika Padukone). The movie is in both Hindi and English.
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What's the Story?
'83 is the incredible true story of the Indian cricket team who competed in the World Cup in England in 1983. Led by captain Kapil Dev (Ranveer Singh), the Indians are not considered to be favorites, especially considering they have to come up against the formidable West Indies side. But this is a team that never knows when to quit, as they seek to defy the odds and return home as world champions.
Is It Any Good?
This sporting drama, based on actual events, is a film that you'll have seen many times before, just in different guises. '83 follows the conventional sports-movie format, thriving in its celebration of the underdog. While it's incredibly familiar, it's comfortingly so, as a film that's very easy to sit back and enjoy. It is, however, far too long (not far off three hours), and as such becomes repetitive in its narrative structure.
Each and every passing game has the same dramatic conflicts. Will India defy the odds and do the unthinkable? Then they win, thus doing the unthinkable. Then comes the next round and the same questions are posed again -- and it's always the same answer. From a pedantic viewpoint, the period details are disappointing, as it doesn't truly feel like you're in 1980s London. The film is also overtly patriotic, almost nauseatingly so. But ultimately '83 is a film where what you see is what you get. It's uplifting, and has its charm, and by the end you're fully invested.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the positive messages in '83. What did the movie have to say about teamwork and perseverance? Why are these such important character strengths to have?
Kapil Dev is a wonderful captain and role model that inspires his teammates and pushes them to succeed. Do you have somebody in you life who inspires you? What qualities do they demonstrate which inspire you?
Discuss some of the racism the Indian cricket team and its supporters faced? How did it make you feel seeing and hearing these things in the film? How to talk with kids about racism and racial violence.
Discuss the smoking in the film. How have attitudes toward smoking changed from when the film is set?
What do you know about the sport of cricket? Did this film inspire you to go and learn more about it? What is the appeal of sports movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 23, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: March 21, 2022
- Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tahir Raj Bhasin
- Director: Kabir Khan
- Studio: Reliance Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 162 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: July 28, 2022
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