If ‘3 Idiots’ comically presented the insipidness of our education system through the idiosyncrasies of fictitious Rancho, the Oscar nominated ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ attempts to present the story of an original Rancho. While 3 Idiots has grossed maximum revenues in the annals of Indian film history, interestingly Harishchandrachi Factory delves on the history and the inception of Indian films. Isn’t it a strange coincidence that both these films are playing in multiplexes at the same time?
Harishchandrachi Factory (Harishchandra’s Factory) made in Marathi is a delightful flick, with universal appeal. The film presents the journey of founding father of Indian cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke a.k.a. Dadasaheb's Phalke - an intelligent iconoclast and a phenomenal celluloid evangelist. The film hilariously projects the trials, tribulations, sacrifice and the relentless tenacity of Phalke, his family and the entire crew. Despite their pain, humiliation, satire, these people set out to establish an industry that manufactures cinema.
Circa 1911
The movie produced by UTV features the conservative pre-independence era and brings to life the famous Girgaum area (Charni Road) in erstwhile Bombay. In those days, silent movies were been played in tent and were invariably patronized by Europeans, Parsis and a few elite locals in Bombay.
In the movie, Phalke (Nandu Madhav) has relinquished his printing business and happens to stumble upon a tent theatre where such silent movies play. The bioscope beguiles, bemuses and mesmerizes Phalke, so much so that he passionately sets out to learn all he can about this new entertainment form. He manages to sell his furniture and household wares to buys books on film and physics. Phalke later travels to England, visit movie sets and learns the art of making movies. He soon returns to India with a Williamson Camera and goes on a shooting spree. The rest, as they say, is history.
Nandu Madhav demonstrates tremendous versatility. Remember his stellar role in another international award winning film ‘Valu’. In this film Nandu presents Phalke as Chaplinsque and yet distinctly projects Phalke’s determination, dedication, discipline and dream.
They say behind every successful man is a women and often a surprised mother –in – law!
Phalke’s wife Saraswati, brilliantly played by the talented Vibhavari Apte is seen to be believed. Saraswati is courageous, uninhibited, intelligent, and compassionate who patiently supports her husbands dream. Their love story is the fulcrum of this movie. Phalke’s two sons also play a pivotal role in helping their father achieve the impossible. The other actors also provide proper justice to their roles.
Paresh Mokashi’s script is well researched, his direction is intense and yet delicate. Ironically writer-director- playwright Mokashi’s directorial debut also has something in common with Phalke. Both of them had to mortgage their house in pursuit of their passion.
The music seamlessly blends with the film, providing perfect tempo and inexorably carries the narrative forward. The editing appears sharp but with the script buttered in humour, it gradually develops context as it switches to the 8mm and silent era. The costume designs, the sets, the location and the bright cinematography authenticate the narration. Nitin Desai’s art direction reinforces the screenplay. The camera zooms in, the wide angle shots take you closer to Phalke and succinctly manage to presents the challenges of film making in 20th century.
The story ends with the projection of India's first film, "Raja Harishchandra," in 1913 based on famous Indian mythological king. Phalke’s black and white silent picture achieves surreal success and swoon’s the audience with innovative marketing campaign. No wonder this medium has become an integral part of our culture.
Harishchandrachi Factory cleverly avoids from becoming a documentary. Don’t miss it, even if you do not understand the language. You will come out of the theatre with a smile and Phalke’s vision, resilience and motivation will keep inspiring you for a while.
Showing posts with label Film Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Film Review. Show all posts
Friday, February 5, 2010
Saturday, November 21, 2009
2012 – Spectacular, Magnanimous blend of Science and Myth!
Invariably every Hollywood film depicting catastrophe or science fiction showcases imaginative and often ridiculous plots coupled with the American paranoia and its relentless quest to become a superhero. Barring this idiosyncrasy, all such hugely budgeted movies are cleverly filmed with brilliant star cast, amazing cinematography, and immaculate direction and mind blowing special effects, making such films, ultimately riveting and film watching an exquisite experience.
Director Roland Emmerich’s film ‘2012’ is no different and indeed worth watching for its special effects on large screen.
2012 is based on Mayan prophecy which predicted that the Earth's Axe oscillates and changes its position every 26 thousand years and as a result the positions of the neighboring stars change all the time. Obviously the film starts with scenes showing some turbulence on various planets. The next moment a copper mine in India gets affected with rapid over heating.
A simple, intelligent Indian scientist (Jimi Mistry) reveals that the earth’s inner core is boiling caused by ‘Neutrinos’. We quickly learn that neutrinos are uncharged particles created during the nuclear fusion processes in the sun. Jimi alarms his friend Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a US government scientist who in turn warns the chief of staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and the US President (Danny Glover) about impending disaster. Soon the computers take over and the scientists prognosticate the date, when the world would come to an end. This date happens to be 21 Dec 2012, the same date when the Mayan calendar (and inevitably disputed) foresees about the end of life on Earth.
Meanwhile a lake near a restricted zone evaporates and now in few minutes the earth’s crust would buckle. It will rise and shift the tectonic plates by thousands of kilometers. As a result, the audience will witness tremors creating wide cracks on land, sporadic volcano eruptions, and massive tsunamis which could even submerge the Himalayas, topple skyscrapers, and crumble bridges. Amidst flying cars and falling houses, people start to run, dodge, pray, hide and scream but our hero Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a failed novelist and weekend father remains inquisitive and bravely helps his estranged family to escape safely. John’s performance and expressions are truly marvelous and throughout the movie, he remains calm, composed and considerate.
Woody Harrelson's performance as the eccentric prophet of doom is fantastic and might scare children. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes Adrian endearing and with relative ease, he portrays a virtuous diligent scientist who loves books and values human life. Oliver Platt is brilliant and authoratively demonstrates his leadership and displays his concerns about the future of governance, human race, diplomacy and money.
Kate Curtis, Cusack's ex-wife played by gorgeous Amanda Peet does a reasonable job as the American mother. Danny Glover is outstanding and in the film becomes the last US President. The President's daughter Laura Wilson (Thandie Newton) has a limited role but is seen as sensitive first daughter and an ardent art connoisseur.
Generally four forces affect an aircraft — two assist flight (thrust and lift), and two resist flight (gravity and drag). But Thomas McCarthy, Amanda’s new boyfriend and a plastic surgeon loses the landing gear and reduces the drag. Moreover he miraculously maintains the planes equilibrium through the devastation. Strangely the cell phones continue to remain active despite crumbling buildings that house the telecom towers!
The film succinctly safeguards the interest of G8 nations while the UN and other developing nations appear conspicuously absent. The Copenhagen summit could be few weeks away but strangely both US and China, the two great fuel guzzling and polluting nations prefer to become the saviours in 2012. The film ends in China where poor Tibetans are exploited to construct massive ships that would safely protect the human race and animals from extinction.
The script lacks solidity but the dialogues are equipped with a good mix of technical terms, humour and sarcasm. The films music fails to create the necessary tempo. The direction, camera work and aerial shots are seen to be believed. The film is lengthy but spectacularly blends science, fiction and mythology.
Only time will tell whether we face a global cataclysmic disaster towards the end of 2012 but there is no doubt that the world would certainly vanish if we fail to curb terrorism and greed. Until then do watch, nature emits its fury in the film 2012 and rampantly destroy architectural wonders, state of art infrastructure and human life but thankfully Emmerich refrains from stomping human emotions, feelings and hope!
Director Roland Emmerich’s film ‘2012’ is no different and indeed worth watching for its special effects on large screen.
2012 is based on Mayan prophecy which predicted that the Earth's Axe oscillates and changes its position every 26 thousand years and as a result the positions of the neighboring stars change all the time. Obviously the film starts with scenes showing some turbulence on various planets. The next moment a copper mine in India gets affected with rapid over heating.
A simple, intelligent Indian scientist (Jimi Mistry) reveals that the earth’s inner core is boiling caused by ‘Neutrinos’. We quickly learn that neutrinos are uncharged particles created during the nuclear fusion processes in the sun. Jimi alarms his friend Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a US government scientist who in turn warns the chief of staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and the US President (Danny Glover) about impending disaster. Soon the computers take over and the scientists prognosticate the date, when the world would come to an end. This date happens to be 21 Dec 2012, the same date when the Mayan calendar (and inevitably disputed) foresees about the end of life on Earth.
Meanwhile a lake near a restricted zone evaporates and now in few minutes the earth’s crust would buckle. It will rise and shift the tectonic plates by thousands of kilometers. As a result, the audience will witness tremors creating wide cracks on land, sporadic volcano eruptions, and massive tsunamis which could even submerge the Himalayas, topple skyscrapers, and crumble bridges. Amidst flying cars and falling houses, people start to run, dodge, pray, hide and scream but our hero Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a failed novelist and weekend father remains inquisitive and bravely helps his estranged family to escape safely. John’s performance and expressions are truly marvelous and throughout the movie, he remains calm, composed and considerate.
Woody Harrelson's performance as the eccentric prophet of doom is fantastic and might scare children. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes Adrian endearing and with relative ease, he portrays a virtuous diligent scientist who loves books and values human life. Oliver Platt is brilliant and authoratively demonstrates his leadership and displays his concerns about the future of governance, human race, diplomacy and money.
Kate Curtis, Cusack's ex-wife played by gorgeous Amanda Peet does a reasonable job as the American mother. Danny Glover is outstanding and in the film becomes the last US President. The President's daughter Laura Wilson (Thandie Newton) has a limited role but is seen as sensitive first daughter and an ardent art connoisseur.
Generally four forces affect an aircraft — two assist flight (thrust and lift), and two resist flight (gravity and drag). But Thomas McCarthy, Amanda’s new boyfriend and a plastic surgeon loses the landing gear and reduces the drag. Moreover he miraculously maintains the planes equilibrium through the devastation. Strangely the cell phones continue to remain active despite crumbling buildings that house the telecom towers!
The film succinctly safeguards the interest of G8 nations while the UN and other developing nations appear conspicuously absent. The Copenhagen summit could be few weeks away but strangely both US and China, the two great fuel guzzling and polluting nations prefer to become the saviours in 2012. The film ends in China where poor Tibetans are exploited to construct massive ships that would safely protect the human race and animals from extinction.
The script lacks solidity but the dialogues are equipped with a good mix of technical terms, humour and sarcasm. The films music fails to create the necessary tempo. The direction, camera work and aerial shots are seen to be believed. The film is lengthy but spectacularly blends science, fiction and mythology.
Only time will tell whether we face a global cataclysmic disaster towards the end of 2012 but there is no doubt that the world would certainly vanish if we fail to curb terrorism and greed. Until then do watch, nature emits its fury in the film 2012 and rampantly destroy architectural wonders, state of art infrastructure and human life but thankfully Emmerich refrains from stomping human emotions, feelings and hope!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Julie and Julia - A Delectable Flick!
Rarely would you miss films made by Nora Ephron and especially those starring Meryl Streep and Meg Ryan. Writer, director and screen player Nora Ephron is known for her ability to showcase parallel stories and romantic comedies like 'When Harry Met Sally'; 'You’ve Got Mail' and 'Sleepless in Seattle'. So yesterday when Julie and Julia were released, Vrushali and I were indeed ecstatic. The film touches your heart and enlivens your taste buds.
Julie and Julia is based on true stories and takes a sneak peek into the lives of two women. Nora delicately slices, squeezes, squashes and subtly blends Julia Child’s book 'My Life in France' and Julie Powell’s book – 'Julie and Julia' based on Powell’s blog in 2002 documenting her attempt to cook recipes from her idol Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking.'
Powell and Child have a lot in common. They are emotional, childless, extrovert, restless, and bored of their government jobs. Both of them relish food and are happily married to loving, compassionate and supportive husbands.
The film combines culinary history, travel, culture and moves between Paris in 1950 and New York in 2002. Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and her diplomat husband Paul Child (Stanley Tucci) arrive in Paris. The film unravels Julia’s journey from being a bored housewife in Paris to her enthusiastic trips in the local markets, from learning French cooking to eventually becoming a star chef on TV. Pucci gives an incredible performance and prefers to stay in the background.
Meanwhile in New York, Julie Powell’s (Amy Adams) husband Eric Powell (Chris Messina) encourages Julie to cook and write. He eagerly reads her blog and greedily gormandizes like a hungry bear. Both Julie and Julia enjoy experimenting in their kitchen and feeding their friends. Julia’s colleagues Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle (Linda Emond and Helen Carey) are brilliant, encouraging and together they co-author a magnum opus on French cooking.
The direction is brilliant and intimately indulges you in Julie and Julia’s struggles and their triumph of discovering themselves through their culinary skills. Some scenes remain etched in your memory. Julia innocuously blanches tomatoes, seasons the food, chops onions, and shares her candid opinion about butter. Her visit to local bakeries and the joy she experiences from the aroma of fresh, green, leafy vegetables are strikingly infectious and adorable. The conversations between Julia and her husband Paul, and later with her sister Dorothy McWilliams (Jane Lynch) are engaging, lively and simply enriching. Jane Lynch plays a memorable role.
Pitted against these two talented actresses, is the charming Amy Adams who marvelously displays Powell’s mood swings and frustrations. Her kitchen in Queens, N.Y. would perhaps give jitters to Julia but her attempt to dish out all 524 recipes in 365 days is indeed laudable.
Meryl’s inimitable acting and mannerism distinctly re-creates Julia Child – the gourmet and gourmand. The near perfect intonation of Julia appears little melodramatic but that itself brings life into the character. Through her dialogues, Meryl inspires, endears and provides a wonderful glimpse into Julia’s life and yet cleverly avoids making her mockery.
A random check on the internet would show you original videos of Julia Child and also allow access to Julie Powell’s famous blog featuring the ‘F’ word and the one she wrote upon hearing the sad demise of Julia Child in 2004. Both Julia and Meryl are blessed with abundant talent, grace, charm and clearly demonstrate their tenacity to pursue their dreams and passion. No wonder, only Meryl Streep could have played Julia Child!
The film is immaculately blended but long and moves at a gentle pace. The plot lacks some thickness but not consistency and could have delved deeper into Julia’s life. The film ends almost abruptly and creates some curiosity to grab the original manuscripts. The music is loud and distorts the pathos or humor of moments. The director has an amazing eye for detail and the screenplay is fantastic. With amazing dexterity, the camera moves in and out of the characters lives, carefully capturing every emotions, joy and the mouth – watering vibrant texture of food including the few mishaps.
By the end of it all, you begin to love butter, and enjoy the delectable, sensuous French cuisine, peppered with challenges, but garnished with joy and passion and eagerly relish dollops of raspberry cream dessert with rich icing of respect, humour and love.
Bon Appetit!...
Julie and Julia is based on true stories and takes a sneak peek into the lives of two women. Nora delicately slices, squeezes, squashes and subtly blends Julia Child’s book 'My Life in France' and Julie Powell’s book – 'Julie and Julia' based on Powell’s blog in 2002 documenting her attempt to cook recipes from her idol Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking.'
Powell and Child have a lot in common. They are emotional, childless, extrovert, restless, and bored of their government jobs. Both of them relish food and are happily married to loving, compassionate and supportive husbands.
The film combines culinary history, travel, culture and moves between Paris in 1950 and New York in 2002. Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and her diplomat husband Paul Child (Stanley Tucci) arrive in Paris. The film unravels Julia’s journey from being a bored housewife in Paris to her enthusiastic trips in the local markets, from learning French cooking to eventually becoming a star chef on TV. Pucci gives an incredible performance and prefers to stay in the background.
Meanwhile in New York, Julie Powell’s (Amy Adams) husband Eric Powell (Chris Messina) encourages Julie to cook and write. He eagerly reads her blog and greedily gormandizes like a hungry bear. Both Julie and Julia enjoy experimenting in their kitchen and feeding their friends. Julia’s colleagues Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle (Linda Emond and Helen Carey) are brilliant, encouraging and together they co-author a magnum opus on French cooking.
The direction is brilliant and intimately indulges you in Julie and Julia’s struggles and their triumph of discovering themselves through their culinary skills. Some scenes remain etched in your memory. Julia innocuously blanches tomatoes, seasons the food, chops onions, and shares her candid opinion about butter. Her visit to local bakeries and the joy she experiences from the aroma of fresh, green, leafy vegetables are strikingly infectious and adorable. The conversations between Julia and her husband Paul, and later with her sister Dorothy McWilliams (Jane Lynch) are engaging, lively and simply enriching. Jane Lynch plays a memorable role.
Pitted against these two talented actresses, is the charming Amy Adams who marvelously displays Powell’s mood swings and frustrations. Her kitchen in Queens, N.Y. would perhaps give jitters to Julia but her attempt to dish out all 524 recipes in 365 days is indeed laudable.
Meryl’s inimitable acting and mannerism distinctly re-creates Julia Child – the gourmet and gourmand. The near perfect intonation of Julia appears little melodramatic but that itself brings life into the character. Through her dialogues, Meryl inspires, endears and provides a wonderful glimpse into Julia’s life and yet cleverly avoids making her mockery.
A random check on the internet would show you original videos of Julia Child and also allow access to Julie Powell’s famous blog featuring the ‘F’ word and the one she wrote upon hearing the sad demise of Julia Child in 2004. Both Julia and Meryl are blessed with abundant talent, grace, charm and clearly demonstrate their tenacity to pursue their dreams and passion. No wonder, only Meryl Streep could have played Julia Child!
The film is immaculately blended but long and moves at a gentle pace. The plot lacks some thickness but not consistency and could have delved deeper into Julia’s life. The film ends almost abruptly and creates some curiosity to grab the original manuscripts. The music is loud and distorts the pathos or humor of moments. The director has an amazing eye for detail and the screenplay is fantastic. With amazing dexterity, the camera moves in and out of the characters lives, carefully capturing every emotions, joy and the mouth – watering vibrant texture of food including the few mishaps.
By the end of it all, you begin to love butter, and enjoy the delectable, sensuous French cuisine, peppered with challenges, but garnished with joy and passion and eagerly relish dollops of raspberry cream dessert with rich icing of respect, humour and love.
Bon Appetit!...
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