ReelBob: ‘Rickshaw Girl’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

“Rickshaw Girl,” based on a young adult novel, is a rather quaint movie that covers gender equality and expectations for young girls.

The movie takes place in Bangladesh, centering on Naima, who has a talent for painting. She lives in a village with her father, mother and younger sister.

They struggle economically. Her father works as a rickshaw driver, but when he becomes ill and cannot work, his rickshaw — the family’s livelihood — is confiscated by the man who sold it to Naima’s father because he was behind in his payments.

Desperate to aid her family, Naima travels to the big city of Dhaka to find work. She is given a job as a cook and maid for a young affluent couple who treat her like a slave, locking her in their apartment.

When she gets the opportunity, she escapes. Walking the streets of the city, she visits a garage, asking for a job as a rickshaw driver only to be told that girls cannot be hired for such work.

The resilient Naima steals some men’s clothes, cuts her hair and returns to the garage where she is given the opportunity to earn money.

She also uses her artistic skills to decorate her rickshaw, making it colorfully pleasing to attract customers.

Her ruse is eventually discovered, but before she returns home, her artistic abilities pay off.

“Rickshaw Girl” rests on the shoulders of Novera Rahman as Naima. She refuses to accept the limitations of her patriarchal society and will do anything — including defying cultural conventions — to assist her family.

Rahman emotionally connects you with Naima, so you sympathize with her situation and root for her to succeed.

“Rickshaw Girl” is somewhat formulaic, but it also demonstrates how determination and spirit are needed companions to help make dreams come true.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

RICKSHAW GIRL
3 stars out of 4
Not rated, language, mild violence