This movie gets 6 out of 10. In God’s Own Country, it is usually with wry amusement that one says “Ividam swargamanu (This is heaven).” Along with that, in this movie, there seems to be the message: if you have a heaven, guard it with your life and more importantly, do everything you can to keep it a heaven. This is told through the story of a small-to-medium-scale farmer trying to guard his land and family from the stranglehold of the “land mafia” who also manage to turn the gullible community against him.
Rosshan Andrrews has used the same formula (naïve and admirable protagonist nearly defeated by the system striking back with an ingenious plan) that he used in his first movie ‘Udayananu Thaaram’ but with less success. Mohanlal is under-utilized (surely, more is expected from the Gerard Depardieu of Malayalam cinema who gave us Kireedam, Bharatham, Varavelpu, Devasuram, etc.?). The same can be said about nearly everyone in the cast except Lalu Alex and he has performed extremely well. The three “leading” ladies make a fortuitous appearance.
This movie is worth watching for the theme and the setting. The theme resonates with the common man who complacently or helplessly watches his state/land/heaven being defiled by the land mafia (along with the sand mafia, the education mafia, the liquor mafia, the Party and the unions, quotation gangs, paedophiles, terrorist camps, etc.). When you see the setting (the farm-house), do you remember the acre of fertile agricultural land you sold for a 1000 sq.ft. flat in the outskirts of a city? Along with this movie, I have a prayer to make to you. It is definitely not easy to make profit from agriculture (especially, if you are a small-scale farmer) but as long as you have your basic needs, please do not sacrifice your farm for the sake of a quick buck, an easy life and careless development. Each time you go to your farm, even the most sincere amongst you might feel like quoting from “Digging” by Seamus Heaney (like I do):
By God, the old man could handle a spade,
Just like his old man.
…
But I've no spade to follow men like them.
Finally, unlike most Malayalam movies of the 80s and 90s, the hero in this movie is able to beat the system - through the judiciary. One can only hope justice prevails in reality, too.
Showing posts with label Movie Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie Review. Show all posts
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
3 Idiots
Eez aall vell? This movie gets 5.5 out of 10. Based on a line in the movie: is this movie a philosophy class or is it just an average slapstick comedy? Is it about a faulty education system in which a brilliant student excels? Or maybe, geniuses are untouched by the system and it is about the plight of lesser mortals in a faulty system.
What do we have - a tepid start, excess of male bottoms/underwear, resuscitation midway with a twist in the tale, acts of a genius at regular intervals and then, petering out in a little less than 3 hours. This movie revolves around Aamir – he is good (as usual) but for most of the movie, he has to sport only one expression – that of a wide-eyed imp. Madhavan and Boman Irani are thoroughly wasted. Kareena is nice.
Leaving aside the humour, the movie touches on two serious topics: one, the aspiration of most parents – to make their child an engineer or a doctor (these days, is it not MBA?); two, life and education in the premier institutions in this country.
With regard to parents’ aspiration, is it not the best bet for them – at least as an investment decision? If you want to do something else, do it with your own money or either prove your worth or get ready to have a tough time convincing your parents. Sounds fair? Of course, some parents might try to achieve through their kids what they could not achieve or worse, what their neighbour or relative has achieved. But, for most parents the excuse will be - parents have to say what they have (or, are expected) to say. Like, become a doctor or an engineer; marry within the same caste; do not have affairs or sex outside marriage; do not have safe sex with your spouse till you have the required number of kids, etc.. At the end of the day, you are the only one responsible for your life. And, on the road less travelled, life is never easy.
With regard to the premier institutions, it might be true that the painful character Chatur might not be an exception, if not the majority. But, isn’t that how it is like in the big bad world – corporate, academic or elsewhere? Also, the movie got it right in saying that these institutions do not give much importance to innovation/research. It is not surprising since these institutions are known mainly for undergraduate education. To quote a professor in one of these places “the BTechs are the products, the MTechs are the byproducts, and the PhDs the wasteproducts”. Maybe, with increasing load, it is an impossible task to give the required one-to-one attention or to stimulate thinking. But, at least, try to avoid doling out half-baked degrees. Of course, students should remember what my professor used to say “don’t expect me to pat you on your back and make you burp”.
After this movie, I was trying to recollect related stuff in music and movies. The Pink Floyd anthem: teachers, leave them kids alone? Or, carpe diem (seize the day) and the suicide in Dead Poets Society? Or, to bunk the system, how about the comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?
Maybe, this movie deserves more. Maybe, I expected a comedy at least like Munnabhai MBBS if not Dil Chahtha Hai.
Finally, about the two current controversies. I wonder what people are trying to achieve by deleting the scene of ragging. Sanitizing history? Moral police – stay away!
As for Chetan Bhagat, if he wants credit for the story, I am glad I have not read his books so far.
What do we have - a tepid start, excess of male bottoms/underwear, resuscitation midway with a twist in the tale, acts of a genius at regular intervals and then, petering out in a little less than 3 hours. This movie revolves around Aamir – he is good (as usual) but for most of the movie, he has to sport only one expression – that of a wide-eyed imp. Madhavan and Boman Irani are thoroughly wasted. Kareena is nice.
Leaving aside the humour, the movie touches on two serious topics: one, the aspiration of most parents – to make their child an engineer or a doctor (these days, is it not MBA?); two, life and education in the premier institutions in this country.
With regard to parents’ aspiration, is it not the best bet for them – at least as an investment decision? If you want to do something else, do it with your own money or either prove your worth or get ready to have a tough time convincing your parents. Sounds fair? Of course, some parents might try to achieve through their kids what they could not achieve or worse, what their neighbour or relative has achieved. But, for most parents the excuse will be - parents have to say what they have (or, are expected) to say. Like, become a doctor or an engineer; marry within the same caste; do not have affairs or sex outside marriage; do not have safe sex with your spouse till you have the required number of kids, etc.. At the end of the day, you are the only one responsible for your life. And, on the road less travelled, life is never easy.
With regard to the premier institutions, it might be true that the painful character Chatur might not be an exception, if not the majority. But, isn’t that how it is like in the big bad world – corporate, academic or elsewhere? Also, the movie got it right in saying that these institutions do not give much importance to innovation/research. It is not surprising since these institutions are known mainly for undergraduate education. To quote a professor in one of these places “the BTechs are the products, the MTechs are the byproducts, and the PhDs the wasteproducts”. Maybe, with increasing load, it is an impossible task to give the required one-to-one attention or to stimulate thinking. But, at least, try to avoid doling out half-baked degrees. Of course, students should remember what my professor used to say “don’t expect me to pat you on your back and make you burp”.
After this movie, I was trying to recollect related stuff in music and movies. The Pink Floyd anthem: teachers, leave them kids alone? Or, carpe diem (seize the day) and the suicide in Dead Poets Society? Or, to bunk the system, how about the comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?
Maybe, this movie deserves more. Maybe, I expected a comedy at least like Munnabhai MBBS if not Dil Chahtha Hai.
Finally, about the two current controversies. I wonder what people are trying to achieve by deleting the scene of ragging. Sanitizing history? Moral police – stay away!
As for Chetan Bhagat, if he wants credit for the story, I am glad I have not read his books so far.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Paleri Manikyam
This movie by Renjith gets a grade of 7 out of 10. “What is the relevance of this now?” This question crops up in the second half and the reply starts with “It is a reminder…”
That nearly explains the purpose of the movie.
The movie is based on a book by T. P. Rajeevan (which I have not read) and is concerned with the brutal rape and murder (given away by the diffident subtitle Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha or Midnight Murder Story) of Manikyam, a young beautiful low-caste woman. This crime happens in a village called Paleri in 1957. And now, 52 years later, a detective obsessed with this unsolved mystery reopens the case.
Though the movie is supposed to be a detective story, the pieces of the puzzle fall too easily into place, and it might be more appropriate and fulfilling to view the movie without any expectation of suspense. In fact, the investigation is narrated just like a documentary.
This movie unfortunately has only one main actor: Mammootty in a triple role. As the detective, he does not have to do much. As the rich landowner and main suspect Ahmed Haji, he is wonderful. In fact, the director seems to have done very well in capturing the period of the crime rather than the present era. The same might be said of the screenplay which is mostly good. Surely, the crime analyst if not the extra-marital affair is superfluous. Sreenivasan and Siddique put in a cameo performance. The rest including Shweta Menon and Mythili try well and some if not most are convincing. The photography and sound are fine – maybe, the loud heart-thumping orchestra could have been replaced by something more subtle, edgy and diabolic.
To my favourite question: will I watch the movie again? Yes. There are lots to savour: a low caste woman watching her helpless husband being killed like you would stamp and kill a centipede; the killing of the young woman with the command “go and silence her”. It is ironical to hear the detective express a view about extra-marital affairs and infidelity “to possess that of another” and a villain exclaiming “why does she have to cross my path and raise all kinds of bad thoughts”.
As mentioned earlier, this movie is an apt reminder. Does it matter whether it is the 50’s or this millennium? The influence of power over the helpless and the weak, sex crimes, willful suppression of facts related to a crime and the list goes on. Déjà vu, right? It is tough not to echo the words in the movie “I do not have ideology nor faith.”
(N.B. The quotes might not be entirely correct – I had to recollect from memory and worse, I had to translate.)
That nearly explains the purpose of the movie.
The movie is based on a book by T. P. Rajeevan (which I have not read) and is concerned with the brutal rape and murder (given away by the diffident subtitle Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha or Midnight Murder Story) of Manikyam, a young beautiful low-caste woman. This crime happens in a village called Paleri in 1957. And now, 52 years later, a detective obsessed with this unsolved mystery reopens the case.
Though the movie is supposed to be a detective story, the pieces of the puzzle fall too easily into place, and it might be more appropriate and fulfilling to view the movie without any expectation of suspense. In fact, the investigation is narrated just like a documentary.
This movie unfortunately has only one main actor: Mammootty in a triple role. As the detective, he does not have to do much. As the rich landowner and main suspect Ahmed Haji, he is wonderful. In fact, the director seems to have done very well in capturing the period of the crime rather than the present era. The same might be said of the screenplay which is mostly good. Surely, the crime analyst if not the extra-marital affair is superfluous. Sreenivasan and Siddique put in a cameo performance. The rest including Shweta Menon and Mythili try well and some if not most are convincing. The photography and sound are fine – maybe, the loud heart-thumping orchestra could have been replaced by something more subtle, edgy and diabolic.
To my favourite question: will I watch the movie again? Yes. There are lots to savour: a low caste woman watching her helpless husband being killed like you would stamp and kill a centipede; the killing of the young woman with the command “go and silence her”. It is ironical to hear the detective express a view about extra-marital affairs and infidelity “to possess that of another” and a villain exclaiming “why does she have to cross my path and raise all kinds of bad thoughts”.
As mentioned earlier, this movie is an apt reminder. Does it matter whether it is the 50’s or this millennium? The influence of power over the helpless and the weak, sex crimes, willful suppression of facts related to a crime and the list goes on. Déjà vu, right? It is tough not to echo the words in the movie “I do not have ideology nor faith.”
(N.B. The quotes might not be entirely correct – I had to recollect from memory and worse, I had to translate.)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Aparan
This movie by Padmarajan gets 7.5 out of 10. With the dearth of decent movies (released from any Wood – Holly/Molly/Kolly/Bolly/Tolly), a movie buff can either sit and cry or rummage through old storage boxes for a CD/DVD of a classic – like this one from 1988.
The story revolves around a case of mistaken identity involving a decent youth from a lower middle-class close-knit family and a look-alike who is an orphan and a hardened criminal. Jayaram makes his debut in this movie – excellent performance and I would not be too surprised if the great director had a big role to play in that also.Along with Jayaram, we have a host of well-thought-out characters (with Madhu, Sukumari, Parvathy, Soman, Mukesh, Sobhana and other excellent actors).
With this genre of suspense, one usually has the lurking problem/doubt: have I seen this story elsewhere? It does not matter. In this two-hour long movie, there is hardly any flab and there are many scenes you will remember for a long time: from the play with shadows and reflections to the smile on Jayaram’s face in the last scene.
This movie comes from an era in Malayalam cinema when the heroes were men and not supermen, and the Malayalam movie/actors/directors did not resemble their counterparts from the neighbouring states. This movie could compete with some of the best in the crime/suspense genre in Malayalam cinema, and to name just three of my favourites: Yavanika (with the superb Gopi), Kariyila Kattu Pole, Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (the last two also from Padmarajan as writer or director).
Keep these in mind when you want to watch a decent movie with your family rather than waste grey cells and lots of money on trash.
The story revolves around a case of mistaken identity involving a decent youth from a lower middle-class close-knit family and a look-alike who is an orphan and a hardened criminal. Jayaram makes his debut in this movie – excellent performance and I would not be too surprised if the great director had a big role to play in that also.Along with Jayaram, we have a host of well-thought-out characters (with Madhu, Sukumari, Parvathy, Soman, Mukesh, Sobhana and other excellent actors).
With this genre of suspense, one usually has the lurking problem/doubt: have I seen this story elsewhere? It does not matter. In this two-hour long movie, there is hardly any flab and there are many scenes you will remember for a long time: from the play with shadows and reflections to the smile on Jayaram’s face in the last scene.
This movie comes from an era in Malayalam cinema when the heroes were men and not supermen, and the Malayalam movie/actors/directors did not resemble their counterparts from the neighbouring states. This movie could compete with some of the best in the crime/suspense genre in Malayalam cinema, and to name just three of my favourites: Yavanika (with the superb Gopi), Kariyila Kattu Pole, Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (the last two also from Padmarajan as writer or director).
Keep these in mind when you want to watch a decent movie with your family rather than waste grey cells and lots of money on trash.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Kayyoppu
The movie deserves a grade of 7 out of 10. There are two main themes: (a) writing, writer’s block and a Muse and (b) clarion call to end differences based on religion, begging for human kindness and against cruelty such as terrorism. Here, I will not let out any spoilers regarding the story or plot (available from other sources with a simple Google search I am sure). Most probably, I have given an extra point because I am biased towards writing. Also, I enjoyed the movie and I will watch it again on another night when I want to relax and think alone.
The first theme is the dream of a lot of dreamers – from school kids to geniuses in the creative world – of a Muse who crosses one’s path and inspires. At times, the Muse might bring love and reciprocate one’s own affection; sometimes, without personal attachment but with just their presence and the right words at the right time, creativity breaks free from any yoke or block; and, for some the Muse remains just an ill-defined spirit.
The second theme is about terrorism. It is now not just a headline about something that happens to others in faraway places. It happens to us and those close to us. It has two main goals: to terrorize, cause suffering and attract attention; and, to create large-scale friction in society via misunderstanding and labels such as religion and to fragment the society. This movie tries to raise a voice against these cowardly acts of terrorism and its goals.
This movie by Renjith is uncomplicated, pleasant and refreshing; and tries to deliver the message without guile and through simplicity. The simplicity of the movie might be its failing, too. I might be ready to excuse simple plots and average visuals, but I need at least one full-blooded character. Maybe, I am just being cynical. Mammootty and Khushboo have done very well on their own (are they too restrained one wonders); with Mukesh, Mammu Koya and others giving excellent support. I liked the background music and the discussions about writing.
This is not a new movie and thankfully, Moser Baer has brought out a CD/DVD of this movie.
The first theme is the dream of a lot of dreamers – from school kids to geniuses in the creative world – of a Muse who crosses one’s path and inspires. At times, the Muse might bring love and reciprocate one’s own affection; sometimes, without personal attachment but with just their presence and the right words at the right time, creativity breaks free from any yoke or block; and, for some the Muse remains just an ill-defined spirit.
The second theme is about terrorism. It is now not just a headline about something that happens to others in faraway places. It happens to us and those close to us. It has two main goals: to terrorize, cause suffering and attract attention; and, to create large-scale friction in society via misunderstanding and labels such as religion and to fragment the society. This movie tries to raise a voice against these cowardly acts of terrorism and its goals.
This movie by Renjith is uncomplicated, pleasant and refreshing; and tries to deliver the message without guile and through simplicity. The simplicity of the movie might be its failing, too. I might be ready to excuse simple plots and average visuals, but I need at least one full-blooded character. Maybe, I am just being cynical. Mammootty and Khushboo have done very well on their own (are they too restrained one wonders); with Mukesh, Mammu Koya and others giving excellent support. I liked the background music and the discussions about writing.
This is not a new movie and thankfully, Moser Baer has brought out a CD/DVD of this movie.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Pazhassi Raja
The movie “Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja” deserves a grade of 6.5 out of 10. It is a movie worth seeing at least once. But, will I watch it again?
One should try to bear in mind the following: (a) it is based on history (b) it is long (3 hours and 15 minutes) (c) before watching the movie, try not to be biased and try not to compare (d) forget the Hariharan-MT-Mammootty legacy.
Mammootty and the Indian co-stars are good – restrained, powerful and quite perfect for the role. Given the length of the movie, one wonders whether the characters could have been more well-formed. Is that why one does not feel like brandishing a sword at the end of the movie? Mammootty seemed a trifle stifled (especially if you know what he is capable of) and Sharathkumar who has the best role did very well. The foreign actors performed as if it was a school play and the women are unfortunately quite forgettable. At times, the scenes seemed abrupt and if I am not mistaken, by way of continuity, the second half of the movie is better than the first half. The fights could have avoided the touch of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The orchestra in the background score seemed to lack a local flavour and the songs fitted in like fillers. The photography and the location of each scene are beautiful and picture-perfect. Since it is supposed to be Kerala, one wonders whether there is too much light and too little mud.
Can one compare this movie with Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (OVV)? No. OVV is loosely based on a folktale and twists the tale to the extent a much-despised character (Chathiyan Chanthu) is the hero and much-adored characters (Aromal Chevakar, Unniyaarcha) are shown in bad light. Filmgoers then protested about such literary freedom but loved that product of Hariharan-MT-Mammootty. In OVV, female actors like Madhavi and Geetha impressed with intelligence and beauty and not their cleavage.
Finally, a few notes regarding the scene at the theatre. I tried the 10 a.m. morning show. The cost of the balcony ticket is INR 40, and along with INR 40 for the to-and-fro rickshaw ride and INR 15 for a packet of crisps, it is not too expensive. Since it was a morning show, there was ample leg room - quite ideal for the elderly people who kept me company. Interestingly, some elderly ladies had come alone while the old men were guided by their grandchildren. A young-turning-middle-aged man who sat two seats away in the same row reeked of alcohol - hopefully a result of a hangover rather than morning efforts. There were just a few groups of college students who hooted and whistled only a few times; lustily cheered when Mohanlal speaks in the beginning and equally well when Mammootty makes a less-than-grand entrance; and, they even shouted Bharat-ki-jai in the beginning. But unfortunately, even they did not feel like shouting that at the end. As I left, I tried to remember a scene. When I do, I might watch the movie again with the rest of my family.
One should try to bear in mind the following: (a) it is based on history (b) it is long (3 hours and 15 minutes) (c) before watching the movie, try not to be biased and try not to compare (d) forget the Hariharan-MT-Mammootty legacy.
Mammootty and the Indian co-stars are good – restrained, powerful and quite perfect for the role. Given the length of the movie, one wonders whether the characters could have been more well-formed. Is that why one does not feel like brandishing a sword at the end of the movie? Mammootty seemed a trifle stifled (especially if you know what he is capable of) and Sharathkumar who has the best role did very well. The foreign actors performed as if it was a school play and the women are unfortunately quite forgettable. At times, the scenes seemed abrupt and if I am not mistaken, by way of continuity, the second half of the movie is better than the first half. The fights could have avoided the touch of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The orchestra in the background score seemed to lack a local flavour and the songs fitted in like fillers. The photography and the location of each scene are beautiful and picture-perfect. Since it is supposed to be Kerala, one wonders whether there is too much light and too little mud.
Can one compare this movie with Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (OVV)? No. OVV is loosely based on a folktale and twists the tale to the extent a much-despised character (Chathiyan Chanthu) is the hero and much-adored characters (Aromal Chevakar, Unniyaarcha) are shown in bad light. Filmgoers then protested about such literary freedom but loved that product of Hariharan-MT-Mammootty. In OVV, female actors like Madhavi and Geetha impressed with intelligence and beauty and not their cleavage.
Finally, a few notes regarding the scene at the theatre. I tried the 10 a.m. morning show. The cost of the balcony ticket is INR 40, and along with INR 40 for the to-and-fro rickshaw ride and INR 15 for a packet of crisps, it is not too expensive. Since it was a morning show, there was ample leg room - quite ideal for the elderly people who kept me company. Interestingly, some elderly ladies had come alone while the old men were guided by their grandchildren. A young-turning-middle-aged man who sat two seats away in the same row reeked of alcohol - hopefully a result of a hangover rather than morning efforts. There were just a few groups of college students who hooted and whistled only a few times; lustily cheered when Mohanlal speaks in the beginning and equally well when Mammootty makes a less-than-grand entrance; and, they even shouted Bharat-ki-jai in the beginning. But unfortunately, even they did not feel like shouting that at the end. As I left, I tried to remember a scene. When I do, I might watch the movie again with the rest of my family.
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