In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (1989) Review

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones is a film that aired once on Doordarshan in 1989 and almost got lost in time. Fortunately, we didn’t end up without one of the best Indian parallel cinema movies ever made, and you can find a digitally altered version of it online.

The script, written by the now-acclaimed Arundhati Roy, features architecture students trying to pass their final year as they grapple with the various realities of society and existence.

But despite featuring some excellent ideas and narratives, overall, the film is just not that serious. Allow me to expand on what I mean.

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones — Review at a Glance

Story — 4/5
Acting — 4/5
Direction — 3/5
Music — 4/5

Must-Watch: Yes!

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones Review — A Deep Dive

When researching this film, I came across a Reddit thread where someone said, “The more things change, the more they remain the same,” and I completely agree with their viewpoint.

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones is a cinematic treat, not only because of its well-constructed story or its ragtag characters that love to challenge norms at every step of the way.

What is truly beautiful about this film is its commitment to exploring its characters’ ideologies in totality. Yes, it features students who rebel against authority in their own way, but it doesn’t abandon their thought process in the middle.

The prime example of this is Radha (played by Roy), a female student who constantly challenges the status-quo, be it via her thesis or her clothing. While she is unapologetic in her philosophy and truly champions it every step of the way, she also recognizes how many of the problems in society today are way more complex than they seem.

It is an ode to the spirit of youth, which allows ingenuity and originality to flourish while also pondering over, if not actively resisting, the traps and identity of previous generations.

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones uses architecture as the medium to critique society, and what a job it does of pointing out the inherent flaws in the Indian education system. But it doesn’t stop there; the story also features many pertinent issues and themes, from feminism to social inequality/immobility, that we’re all still discussing today.

For instance, Delhi — and, perhaps, the country — could benefit from tailor-made designs that solve the issues of the hour. Repeatedly, however, we see the “more experienced” professor find flaws and call out his students from what appears to be a place of ego, even though the concept could be viable.

The story constantly pits the old against the new, conformity against rebellion, and creativity against prevailing systems to create a nuanced and intelligent critique of the world around us. Even though it came out in 1989, it is still relevant today — and will remain so for years to come.

At the end of the day, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones feels like a safe space for dreamers.

It’s a warm hug for those who are constantly questioning things in life despite running into logical and emotional paradoxes.

You need to go watch it already!

By the way, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones also features a kickass lineup of rock songs that resonate so well with the plot and characters. Its music is just another reason to love the film.

In the very beginning, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones reminded me of Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, and it certainly had some glaring similarities. But by the time I was done, the comparison didn’t hold up. If anything, the movie simply felt like a love letter to the city and its youth, and who doesn’t love that?

In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones Plot Overview

The movie follows an eccentric architecture student, Anand Grover (also known as Annie), who battles academic rigidities while trying to create a low-cost housing project and pass his final year of architecture school.