A Trinidadian street vendor travels to Toronto and reluctantly reconnects with his estranged father in Doubles. Dhani (Sanjiv Boodhu) is not happy with his life in Trinidad, having inherited the doubles stand from his father Ragbir (Errol Sitahal), who moved to Canada and never returned. When Dhani’s mother Sumintra (Leela Sitahal) is robbed at the stand while Dhani is out drinking, he decides it is time to confront his father and ask for money. However, when he arrives in Toronto, Dhani finds out that Ragbir is not only working a dead-end job as a restaurant dishwasher but is also dying and in dire need of a blood marrow transplant.
Doubles Synopsis
Doubles is a drama written and directed by Ian Harnarine and named for the Indo-Caribbean street food native to Trinidad, which plays a major role in the narrative. While reconnecting with his estranged father Ragbir, Dhani also gets to know waitress Anita (Rashaana Cumberbatch), who views Ragbir as a surrogate father. Dhani learns how rough life in Canada has been for his father and the two slowly begin to reconnect through their mutual love of cooking.
My Thoughts on Doubles
While Doubles is at its core a father-son drama, the film is also a love letter to Caribbean cuisine, particularly the Indian-influenced dishes to come out of Trinidad. In fact, Doubles will probably leave you craving the titular dish, a chickpea curry served on fried flatbread. Overall, Doubles is a heartwarming drama about an estranged father and son reconnecting over food.
