12th Fail Review: An Inspiring Underdog Story
8/10 — 12th Fail (2023)
Pros
- Vikrant Massey's moving performance
- Realistic portrayal of exam culture
- Genuinely uplifting
Cons
- Predictable beats
- Conventional storytelling
Based on a true story, 12th Fail follows Manoj Kumar Sharma, who fails his school exams but keeps going, working menial jobs while preparing for India’s brutal civil service exams. Vikrant Massey plays Manoj.
What works
Massey is earnest and believable, and the film captures the grind of exam preparation and the community of aspirants in Delhi. The love story with Medha Shankar’s Shraddha is sweet, and the emotional payoffs land.
Where it falters
The storytelling is conventional, and the final act is predictable and tidy.
Verdict
A heartfelt, uplifting drama that takes a familiar template and makes it sincere.
