Blog | Amodini's Movie Reviews - Part 59Amodini's Movie Reviews | Movie Reviews by Year, Genre and Rating

What to watch on Netflix Instant : Edition #1

Posted on June 6, 2012 by amodini

[amazon_link id=”B001CIOCJ4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ] Transsiberian [/amazon_link]I get asked often about what movies to watch on Netflix, so here’s a list of 5 great films to watch on Netflix Instant. I don’t know if they are available on streaming (although 4 out of the 5 are currently streaming as I write this) but they generally rotate through – so keep a look-out! Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide such a list monthly. The films below are a mix of Hindi/English/other language, which means that it could be subtitled – I watch a bunch of subtitled stuff, but it’s all good:

1. Tell No one (French) : A superb thriller, here’s the full review.

2. Bread and tulips (Italian) : A very nice, poetic, female-centric, feel-good film; full review.

3. Moon (English) : A low-key, sci-fi venture which hasn’t gotten the acclaim it deserves, review here.

4. Transsiberian (English) : A fantastic little film involving travel, trains and an unpredictable journey through The Iron Curtain, this stars Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer and Ben Kingsley.

5. Dharm (Hindi) : An interesting tale of religion and true learning – full review here.

Posted in 2012, All Netflix, bollywood, drama, foreign, hollywood, lists, movies online, Netflix Recommendations, recommended, WhaTWON | 6 Comments

Movie Preview : Gangs of Wasseypur

Posted on May 31, 2012 by amodini

A juicy revenge drama from the Bihari badlands, this is Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming film. Gangs of Wasseypur stars Manoj Bajpai, and it’s been a while sine he’s been in a film worth his mettle. This also has Piyush Mishra and Yashpal Sharma. Till June 22nd then! (Caution: Below trailer has violent images)

Posted in 2012, bollywood, crime, drama, Previews, rating-A, rating-R | 1 Comment

Movie Review : Dharm

Posted on May 24, 2012 by amodini

[amazon_link id=”B001KQFARG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2007
Running time : 2 hours 10 minutes
Director : Bhavna Talwar
Cast : Pankaj Kapoor, Supriya Pathak Kapur, Hrishitaa Bhatt, K.K. Raina
Kid rating : PG

Dharm is about a Hindu priest Pandit Chaturvedi. A very learned and religious man, Panditji, a Brahmin, believes in following the shastras to the T, interpreting them very strictly. Thus he is a much revered scholar and teacher. But, he is also close-minded and conservative, and differentiates very strongly between religions and people based upon the religion they follow. Pandit Chaturvedi and his wife(Supriya Pathak) have one daughter Mani (Hrishitaa Bhatt). Both, the wife and daughter, follow his dictats – in their home, his rule is law.

When Mani is one day handed over a baby, Chaturvedi’s wife out of the piety in her heart takes him in. Chaturvedi, initially, not in favor of keeping the child, succumbs once it is clear that there is no one to claim the child, and he has been assured that the child is also a Brahmin. Many years later, when the Pandit has grown to love the child, now named Kartikey, the child’s mother presents herself at their door. She is Muslim, and calls out to little Kartikeya as Mustafa. Panditji, horrified, sends little Kartikeya with his mother, but Hindu-Muslim riots break out in the city, and the child’s mother pleads with Chaturvedi to keep Kartikey/Mustafa with them. The Pandit is firm though – little Mustafa is his son no more . . .

This is a beautifully crafted film about prejudices and bigotry ingrained within the self. Can the study of books alone ensure true learning ? This is on the philosophical level a great question and the film attempts to answer it via Panditji’s tale. Pankaj Kapoor is superb as Pandit Chaturvedi, harsh and pitiless in following his religion as he sees it, but yet helpless in the love for his adopted child. This film has everything a good film should have – a strong storyline, great acting, superb screen-play and deft direction. It is a rather austere film, compared to the usual Bollywoodian junk, since it has no frivolity and fripperies, but it is a great film nevertheless. Highly recommended.

Posted in 2007, All Netflix, bollywood, drama, Hindi movies on Netflix, outstanding, rating-PG, social issues | 1 Comment

Movie Review : The Avengers

Posted on May 16, 2012 by amodini

[amazon_link id=”B001KVZ6HK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]Rating : 3.5/5
Genre : Action
Year : 2012
Running time : 2 hours 23 min.
Director : Joss Whedon
Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Samuel Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston
Kid rating : PG-13

We went to see the movie en masse, which means the kids, husband and self, because the kids love anything superheroes, and Iron Man 2 was almost tolerable. This film is almost like Iron Man2 and Thor combined (hint, hint – nothing new here) except that now there are a roomful of superheroes to do a task which Thor apparently was doing, and succeeding in, all by himself. In fact, post movie that’s exactly what my son asked – Why do they need so many super-heroes when we “know” that Thor can fight Loki single-handedly ? I considered sitting my wide-eyed young man down and giving him the lowdown on Hollywood studios, but then decided against it – what’s the point on opening the door to cynicism so early in life ? Do note though that this review is written expressly to prevent you from asking the same question – you’re hopefully cynical enough already to take the medicine straight-up.

CNN calls this film the Friday night smack-down, and I would agree with them if they meant that the smacking down was into an extra-soft instant-sleep-promising mattress. Because I dozed off in snatches. You will not blame me once you hear the story : Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a power source which troublesome Loki steals and hands over to the denizens of the Norse netherworld. Fearing the worst, Fury calls in reinforcements, i.e.; Agents Romanoff and Agent Clint Barton, Iron Man, Captain America and Hulk. And Thor just turns up on his own. Loki plans to use the power source to open up a portal connecting his world to Earth, and transport demons here to vanquish humans into submission. Déjà vu, anyone ?

So, what were the good bits ? Iron Man is snarky and arrogant as always, and that is entertaining. Captain America is the boy scout, leading the bickering band into some semblance of a plan attack, although could they redesign his face mask ? Scarlett Johanssen as the Black Widow, is the compact ball of fury, and her character is much better developed than in Iron Man 2. Jeremy Renner as Agent Barton is . . . well, he just is. So, of the lot, I’ve got to say that the hulk was my favorite – Mark Ruffalo is fabulous as the mild mannered Bruce Banner with an anger-management issue. In fact he was so good that he should be signed onto play the Hulk for his lifetime – I will see each and every one of those films. He appears mild and very patient in the first half of the film, because we do not see the transformation to the large, green, angry giant, but when he does lose his temper, the film’s entertainment value sky-rockets.

There is also humor. Some of it comes from the smart-mouthed responses, some from the jostling of egos, and some of it plain comes from well-timed sequences. There is a scene where Hulk is being given a talking to by Loki, and he will have none of it – apparently transforming from altruistic and intellectual looking Dr. Bruce Banner to a large green hulk affects the brain. Thus he sets about giving Loki a good drubbing. There is some Iron Man-Thor goofiness since the two are strong characters, with large egos, and not easily pushed around.

The Avengers is more of the same Superhero koolaid we’ve been drinking since when “Thor” came out. Apparently people want more of it; Avengers grossed nearly 2.3 million in it’s first opening weekend, and the show we went to was sold out – we went to the one scheduled after it. That one turned out to be in 3D, which is regular screens with 3D, as opposed to 3D IMAX. So, you prop the 3D glasses on top of your regular eye glasses (or maybe that’s just me) and off you go. Too much stuff on your eyes frankly, and not worth the effects or the extra dime. After a while 3D appears to be 2D, and you don’t actually notice the extra depth shots. I went in expecting Disney-park like 3D effects, you know the ones where the bullet comes right at you, and they aren’t any of those in here; kind of hard to sustain those effects in a 2.5 hour film, I’d imagine. So, I’d say skip the plain 3D version – either go for the 3D IMAX, or the IMAX by itself.

Or skip it altogether. At about a 2.5 hour length this is overly long, and the same old stuff, now multiplied by the number of super-heroes.

Posted in 2012, action, hollywood, rating-PG13 | 2 Comments

Movie Preview : Shanghai

Posted on May 10, 2012 by amodini

Here’s a film I’m waiting for. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, this stars Abhay Deol – who always picks interesting films, and in this he appears to be playing a Tamilian – T.A. Krishnan, quite a departure from his last film. There is also Emran Hashmi, Kalki Koechlin and Farooque Sheikh, who graces the screen after a very long time. June 8th it is then!

Posted in 2012, bollywood, Previews | 2 Comments

Movie Review : Vicky Donor

Posted on April 29, 2012 by amodini

Rating : 3.5/5
Genre : Comedy
Year : 2012
Running time : 2 hours 5 minutes
Director : Shoojit Sircar
Cast : Ayushmann Khurana, Yaami Gautam, Dolly Ahluwalia, Kamlesh Gill, Annu Kapoor, Jayant Das
Kid rating : PG-13

You’ve probably heard the seminal jokes already – I tweeted some of them. Yes, indeed Bollywood has gone ahead and made a film on, er . . sperms. Kind of awkward if you think about it, because for all it’s item girls and double entendres, we never actually get down the technical aspects of baby-making. Thankfully the film handles the subject without any awkwardness or crudity, and doesn’t go down the David Dhawan-esque road it could have.

Vicky Khurana (Ayushman Khurana) is the loutish Delhi boy, desiring class, money and a job. In the meanwhile, this good-natured Lajpat Nagar lad lives in a barsaati, and subsists on his beauty-parlor-owning mummy’s income, helping her occasionally with threading and pedicures and such-like. One day he is approached by fertility specialist Dr. Chaddha (Annu Kapoor) who persuades him to donate sperm. Vicky, initially hesitant, warms to the idea once he is handed financial remuneration for his services. All is well – Vicky has his money and Dr. Chaddha has high quality sperm for his rich clients – until Vicky falls in love with Ashima (Yami Gautam) and they decide to marry. Dr. Chaddha is beset with worry at the thought of his sperm-well drying up, while Vicky is busy dealing with wedding woes and an ironical twist of fate . . .

I saw John Abraham, the producer of this film, on television where he said that if even one person would go see this film, they would make a profit. He must be laughing all the way to the bank right now, as he must, because the lead pair are both big-screen debutantes and probably charged pittances. Ayushmann, an MTV Roadies winner, is better known for his MTV VJ-ing and his television show hosting – I remember seeing him anchor the Hrithik Roshan, Farha Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant dance competition reality show “Just Dance” where he did an excellent job of providing structure and comic relief. He is an excellent actor, mouthing Delhi-speak with ease. And though I can’t say that I was floored by his charm, since I consider him far from the “handsome hero” image, he does have an easy-going, good-natured sort of appeal.

Yami Gautam, the heroine, is a brown-eyed beauty. A good actress, she plays her character of strait-laced Bengali bank officer Ashima Roy with a great deal of charm and innocence. In supporting cast I’ve got to talk about Dolly Ahluwalia and Kamlesh Gill who play Vicky’s mom and grandmom, respectively. Both are fabulous and exude excellent chemistry as the sometimes-friend-sometimes-carping-foe mother-in-law-daughter-in-law pair. Even the actors who played Ashima’s father and pishi-ma were a scream.

Although the acting and direction was good overall, credit must go where it is due – to the great screenplay and characterization. The film doesn’t have a very strong story, but you never seem to notice that since it glides along ever so smoothly. The characters were expertly drawn; the Lajpat Nagar-ians spoke quintessential Lajpat-Nagar-ese; sperm-donation was by turns “gandaa kaam“, or “phuddu kaam“. Vicky’s mom speaks Delhi-ite Punjabi, with lots of English thrown in. Biji was the adorable grandmother, given to liberal views and a penchant for flat-screen televisions, 32 GB iPhones and alcohol. Culture wars (Punju-Bengali) ring true; while Ashima’s dad and pishi-ma have a fit at Ashima falling for a “culture-less” Punjabi boy, Vicky’s mom is aghast at her prospective bahu being a fish-eating Bengalan.

This film has some fabulous music. The melodious “Pani da” has been composed and sung by Ayushmann himself. “Mar Jayian” is another gorgeous love ballad. The film ends with a Bhangra-beat-based item number “Rum and Whisky” with John and the cast. The first half of the film was pure a-laugh-a-minute joy and refreshingly enjoyable. The second half was OK, but the climax went the traditional, “emotional” way, which was kind of disappointing – and the reason I’m going with a 3.5 rating, instead of a full 4 stars. Regardless, I am strongly recommending a watch on this one.

Kidwise : This film is pretty clean – almost family-friendly, if your family has older children. It does have a few lip locks, and a brief 2-second lovemaking scene. No vulgarity, or double meaning dialogues here, although there is plenty of “sperm talk”, and various diagrams/car ornaments/balloons of the motile little creatures themselves (LOL!) so if you’re taking younger kids, be warned that they might have a few questions!

Posted in 2012, bollywood, comedy, rating-PG13, recommended, romance | 8 Comments

Movie Review : Saaransh

Posted on April 27, 2012 by amodini

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 1984
Running time : 2 hours 17 minutes
Director : Mahesh Bhatt
Cast : Anupam Kher, Rohini Hattangadi, Soni Razdan, Madan Jain, Haider Ali, Akaash Khurana, Nilu Phule, Suhas Bhalekar
Kid rating : PG-13

Recently re-watched Saaransh, after many, many years. It is a rather old film and its stars Anupam Kher and Rohini Hattangadi were young then, although they play an aged couple. It remains one of the best films I have seen, a reminder of the times when Mahesh Bhatt actually produced quality.

B.V.Pradhan (Kher) and his wife Parvati (Hattangadi) have lost their young son Ajay. He was working in New York and was stabbed to death in a mugging. Hoping to alleviate their loneliness and bring in some extra income the couple decide to house a paying guest. A young woman Sujata Suman (Soni Razdan), an actress decides to rent the room and moves in. Her boyfriend Vilas Chitre (Madan Jain) helps her move. Sujata and Vilas hope to marry soon, but Vilas hasn’t yet told his politician father about Sujata.

It comes to light that Sujata is pregnant with Vilas’s baby and presurrizes him to speak to his father. However when he does so, Gajanan Chitre (Nilu Phule), facing impending elections and fearing a scandal, refuses to give Sujata and Vilas his blessings. Vilas is cowed down, and breaks off his relationship with Sujata. Gajanan puts his henchmen after Sujata and tries to persuade her to abort the baby. Pradhan and Parvati support Sujata, but Gajanan is a powerful, evil man and will stop at nothing to ensure an election win.

This is a wonderful film, filled with impeccable direction and great acting. Bhatt manages to portray emotions just right, not overdone or overflowing with pathos, but truly heartfelt. There is great nuance, and great empathy here. The screenplay is beautifully scripted, and Bhatt pauses at just the right moments to show us the reality of life – Pradhan and Parvati’s great sorrow at the loss of their son, Pradhan’s empathy for another young person’s hard life, and above all the old couple’s grit and determination to do the right thing despite all the threats and dangers that come their way. Bhatt also reflects on the way society reacts to a crisis in its midst; most people turn away, unaffected. It is a few who take a stand, and Pradhan is one of those people.

I will always remember the heartbreaking way some emotions are rendered in this film. There is a scene in this film where Pradhan goes to apply for a librarian’s job in the city. There he meets Haider Ali, a friend of his now dead son Ajay. Pradhan greets Haider and asks of his welfare, and Haider, who has come to apply for the same job, lies and tells Pradhan of his booming business and US trips, and his wanting the job to while away the time. Not in reality having a booming business or trips abroad, and unaware of Ajay’s death, he even tells Pradhan that on his last, very recent trip abroad he has spoken to Ajay and that Ajay is doing well. Pradhan, a bent, frail old man, looks at Haider’s shabby clothing and scuffed shoes and listens silently, sorrow in his eyes.

Kher and Hattangadi’s mannersism refelected the ages of the old couple – a halting walk, a love of habit, and a tolerance which can only come with the years. Razdan, Jain and Phule are also very good. This film hasn’t lost any of it’s beauty or resonance with age – highly recommended.

Posted in bollywood, drama, outstanding, rating-PG13, recommended, social issues | 1 Comment

Movie Review : I am Kalam

Posted on April 18, 2012 by amodini

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2010
Running time : 1 hour 27 minutes
Director : Nilab Madhab Panda
Cast : Harsh Mayar, Gulshan Grover, Hussan Saad, Pitobash Tripathi, Sanjay Chauhan, Beatrice Ordeix
Kid rating : G

There are very few Hindi films made for children. To name a few : “The Blue Umbrella”, Makdee, etc. Mostly desi kids do with sports-oriented or super-hero films : Chak De India, Iqbal, Lagaan or Krish etc. “I am Kalam” is a rarity then, since it is centered around children and neither preachy nor containing overly sweet/sassy kids (which is quite nice – the nosy, supercilious kids of Hindi cinema can get to you).

Chhotu (Harsh Mayar) is a poor boy, left with dhaba owner Bhati (Gulshan Grover) by his mother to work and fend for himself. She tells him that he is a smart and nimble boy and will work hard for Bhati. Bhati, a kind-hearted man takes him on, and finds that the boy is indeed spry and learns quickly. Chotu fetches and carries, applying himself to tasks like making Bhati’s trademark tea as well as Bhati himself. His energy and spirit threaten Laptan (Pitobash Tripathi) Bhati’s other employee.

Chhotu perchance meets Prince Kunwar RanVijay Singh (Hussain Saad), the son of the erstwhile king Raja Rudra Pratap Singh (Sanjay Chauhan). Hearing of his ceremonial title “Kunwar” , Chhotu decides to change his name from the flippant “Chhotu” to the impressive Kalam; he has seen President A.P.J. Kalam on television and heard of his poverty-stricken childhood. One of the more endearing scenes in the film is of Chhotu looking in the mirror and copying Dr. Kalam’s (quite distinctive) hairstyle.

The Raja’s ancestral palace is now a luxurious hotel, but the Raja still lives in his royal world and forbids his young school-going son from hob-nobbing with “commoners”. So Chhotu and Vijay, now friends, meet in secret. Chhotu sees a different world, becoming exposed to the Prince’s privileged lifestyle. Seeing his friend’s curiosity and desire to learn, the Prince gifts him books and toys which Chhotu keeps carefully hidden. However Laptan sees them and grasps at an opportunity to get Chhotu out of his hair forever . . .

This is a simple but appealing tale; my kids enjoyed it very much. All the actors have done well, and I must commend the two young boys who play Chhotu and the Prince. Pitobash Tripathi (of “Shor in the City” fame) is excellent and Gulshan Grover is effective in an unusual (for him) role as a kind-hearted do-gooder. The director keeps the film interesting and at an understandable level for children, without resorting to gimmicky crowd-pullers. Without delving too deeply into the harsh realities of poverty he manages to show us Chhotu’s indefatigable spirit and sunny humor even in hard times. Very nicely done.

There is hope. Highly recommended.

Posted in 2010, bollywood, drama, family-friendly, rating-G, recommended | 5 Comments

Movie Review : Tanu Weds Manu

Posted on April 6, 2012 by amodini

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Romance
Year : 2011
Running time : 2 hours 15 minutes
Director : Aanand Rai
Cast : Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill, Ram Kissen, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhaskara, K. K. Raina, Rajendra Gupta, Navni Parihar, Eijaz Khan
Kid rating : PG

“Tanu weds Manu” is an unexpectedly subtle film, given that when it was released it was best known for it’s thrumming Bhangra number “Saddi Gali”. Tanu (Kangana Ranaut) is Tanuja Trivedi, a girl of middle-class UP-ite roots. Manu (Madhavan) is Manoj Sharma, the NRI doctor come home to find a bride, upon his mother’s persistence.

The two meet when Manu and his family visit Tanu’s family to meet the girl, i.e.; Tanu. She is drugged and out cold at the time, but Manu is smitten nevertheless. He assents to the marriage and the families come together to decide on the practicalities. However, Manu’s dreams of marital bliss die a quick death, when Tanu brusquely tells him that she has a boyfriend whom she intends to marry. She tells him (Manu) to back off from the marriage, which he does. But his troubles don’t end there – the fellow is lovelorn for a girl who won’t have him, and he thinks a change of environment will help, so he goes to a friend Jaspreet’s (Eijaz Khan) wedding in Kapurthala, Punjab. Who else does he meet but the lady herself – Tanu in all her wedding finery and brimming with the enthusiasm and the whimsy that won his heart in the first place . . .

This is the tale of the Sharma-Trivedi love-struggle, and nicely etched out. The characters are true blue UP, speaking chaste Hindi – the kinds I hear only when I’m in UP, like the word “paglait” for example. As we travel to Kanpur and Lucknow, listen to the Sharmas and Trivedis talk excitedly, we see the Hindi-belt in all it’s vernacular glory. The cinematography is excellent (I’d not have thought that UP landscapes could have looked this appealing) and there are nice details like the way Manu’s father affectionately address his wife as “Madam”, or the coil of mosquito repellant under Manu’s bed as he lies in bed dreaming of Tanu.

Tanu’s parents, especially her father are tired of the headstrong Tanu and quite ready to see her married. She has other ideas. She is quite a rebel, trying to do everything that her parents forbid – which means smoking, drinking, and associating with the wrong crowd. Quite a vociferous character she knows what she wants and will not shy away from speaking her mind. Manu, on the other hand is quite the opposite. Quiet and almost introverted, he differs from his UP-ite brethren in respecting a girl’s wishes and practicing restraint – he doesn’t want Tanu against her will.

Besides the physical locales and settings that he gets just right, the director also interestingly portrays Tanu’s plight and the culture she is surrounded by. Although she never comes out and says it, one might imagine her rebellious streak to be a response to her family’s get-the-girl-married (and quick!) mentality. A small-town girl with an opinion! Whoever heard of such a thing! What will people say? It is interesting to note that when Manu agrees to the marriage, Tanu’s opinion is not even sought. I was also appalled at the scene where an out-cold Tanu is “displayed” for a meeting with her prospective bridegroom, but have no trouble believing that such a callous treatment could be possible – it is reflective of the culture. I can also sympathize with her father, distraught at the antics of his wayward daughter; hard indeed to be a father of an independent-minded daughter in a society which deems women happiest if and only if tied to a man.

In such circumstances, Manu’s respectful character is immensely appealing, and you are rooting for him almost immediately. Madhavan is stellar in this role, charming and just the right amount of besotted. Tanu’s character, if I say so myself, was a little too flighty to garner much sympathy – a girl who is ready to cut off her nose to spite her face. Kangana manages to look vulnerable even so. As cold and unfeeling as she appears to be, because of Kangana’s excellent portrayal of Tanu, we realize that this is just one lone, much-harassed woman striking out against the restrictions around her. Her character makes you wish that women weren’t pushed so forcefully into abiding by society’s rigid, restrictive rules that they turned a complete about-face.

“Tanu weds Manu” also has an excellent supporting cast. Deepak Dobriyal is superb as Manu’s best friend Pappi, who advocates a more aggressive path to wooing Tanu than Manu would like. K.K. Raina is Kishan Sharma, Manu’s beleaguered father. Rajendra Gupta is Tanu’s father Rajendra Trivedi, and carries the role of hapless father beautifully. Navni Parihar as Tanu’s mother Radha has a small, ineffectual role; she is ill-used since she is a fine actress. Jimmy Shergill is Raja Awasthi – a character Manu meets almost accidentally, but who plays a major role in deciding Manu’s fate. Swara Bhaskar plays Payal Sinha, Tanu’s best friend about to get married to Manu’s friend Jaspreet. She is excellent as a Bihar-an, with the right tones and inflections.

Besides the stellar cast, the film is well-directed and also has an exquisite sound-track. There are the obvious crowd-pleasers – “Saddi Gali” and “Jugni”, but then there are the soft, sentimental numbers in Mohit Chauhan’s golden voice – “Yun hi” and “Rangrez” which never seemed to get the traction they deserved. The film includes the Lata Mangeshkar sung oldie “Kajra Mohabbat Wala” which is lovely, since they use it unmodified.

I saw Mouna Ragam many, many years ago, and “Tanu weds Manu” appears to be a modern-day Mouna-Ragam. Of course the rebellious girl-meets-strong,silent man theme has been explored in other films like “Hum dil de chuke sanam” , Aisha (2010), Swami (1977), Bezubaan (1982) and has been a staple of romance-lovers for generations. This movie is a pleasant interpretation of it. If you haven’t seen this film it, I highly recommend it.

Posted in 2011, bollywood, family-friendly, rating-PG, recommended, romance | 10 Comments

Movie Review : Harishchandrachi Factory

Posted on April 1, 2012 by amodini

Rating : 3/5
Genre : Bio-pic
Year : 2009
Running time : 1 hour 35 minutes
Director : Paresh Mokashi
Cast : Nandu Madhav, Vibhawari Deshpande, Atharva Karve
Kid rating : G

The Marathi bio-pic “Harishchandrachi Factory” is based upon the life of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of the motion picture in India. The film portrays Dhundiraj Govind Phalke as an intensely curious and eccentric sort of a man who is fascinated by the movies when he chances upon an English film. Mesmerized he watches show upon show, spending entire days at the cinema-tents, and finally decides to make a movie himself. To learn how to make films he journeys to England. On his return he brings back knowledge and the paraphernalia to make his beloved films, and makes “Raja Harishchandra” the first full length feature film created in India.

Director Paresh Mokashi presents Phalke’s film-making story in a light-hearted manner. I say “film-making story”, because Mokashi restricts himself to only that phase of Phalke’s life when he became enamored of film, and Phalke was already in his 40s then. “Harishchandrachi Factory” does not touch upon Phalke’s earlier vocations, and he had many – photography, magic, printing, drafting (working as a draftsman for the Archeological Survey of India). Phalke himself is portrayed as Chaplinesque, ever-smiling with a demeanor to match. His family’s financial troubles do not bog him down, nor does the condemnation of friends and well-wishers. He is single-minded in his devotion to film, leaving the mundane problem of feeding and clothing the family to his wife (who is apparently a saint).

Even when Phalke goes to England, a dhoti-clad man of limited financial means with little knowledge of the country or it’s language, he is, in the film, fortuitous enough to bump into another Marathi manus, who ecstatic at meeting another countryman and entranced by Phalke’s desire to learn film-making for himself, helps him get settled. Thus, the film skims over Phalke’s life extracting from it only a light-hearted bonhomie and treating any problems he must have faced with disdain or ignoring them completely. While this produces a cheery, amusing film, it is also its biggest fault, and the reason why I didn’t like it.

Given the limited nature of the film, it’s actors do well. Nandu Madhav as the lead character is quite the bumbling knowledge seeker, holding onto his principles. Having fought with his printing press partner, Phalke is unable or unwilling to fend for his family with a “regular”, uninteresting job, and Madhav does exude the single-minded curiosity required of such an inquiring mind. Vibhawari Deshpande is his patient wife Saraswati, birthing children, keeping the family afloat, inspite of poverty, and Phalke’s propensity for selling off furniture and household goods to raise funds for his film-making opportunities.

From the film, we can surmise that Phalke is a restless, creative soul, caught in a pragmatic householder’s life. His wife, according to the times, is all-accepting of her husband’s flighty behavior and inability to hold onto a job with a steady income. She fends for the family through parental support, and supports Phalke in his making “Raja Harishchandra” by not only helping with camera work, but by caring and feeding the cast and film-workers, and serving as general dogsbody. The film does not explore Phalke’s mindset or the probable anguish or angst of his wife – a fascinating drama could have come just of of Phalke’s family life. Instead Phalke proceeds to flit from career to career, and his wife continues to stoically shrug her way through her hard life. Indeed, if she was as dedicated to Phalke and his work as she is portrayed as being in the film, I wish they had also instituted an award in her name, for she has as much of a contribution in the making of Indian’s first feature film as Phalke himself.

This is a decent watch, although I’m not recommending it for discerning adults; it is an innocuous, unblemished portrayal of a legend’s life, almost fairytale like in it’s simplicity. Because of its uni-dimensional depiction, and inability to deal with any of Phalke’s hardships, racial tensions, and political climes of that time, this does not satisfy. I am quite surprised that this contextually-limited film was India’s nomination for the Oscar’s in 2009.