Saw four movies between last Thursday (Jan 26) and Sunday. Must be some sort of record (for me) outside of film festivals. Before I forget or memories of the movies become foggy, i thought I should put down something. So here goes short takes.
Rang De Basanti: The movie had tall hurdles to cross. Although the promos were low key, the controversies and Aamir Khan's presence itself saw expectations mount. All I can say is that the movie has delivered mostly, but it is not an all-out winner. The best part is that the concept is original and has been executed with style and freshness. One of the reviews I saw called the movie 'Young and Restless'. I think it is an apt description. One can feel the restlessness of the protagonists, the student gang in Delhi. I could almost identify with them. I once read an article that talked about how the young of today have more choices, regularly achieve more than the earlier generation (in terms of money and lifestyle) and yet they are dissatisfied. Siddharth's character in the movie brings this out to perfection. Not that he achieves anything but from outside he seems to have everything, his dad keeps listing the colleges (in US of course) he should be applying to. Still there is a sense of frustration, of not knowing one's direction. Each of the characters have some demons to grapple with. Siddharth suffers from lack of love and attention at home since his mother's death(?) For Aslam it is wanting to blend with the mainstream and prove his brother wrong. For DJ, it is fear of failure that makes him hang around college some five years after he has finished. With so much emotional baggage it is no wonder Sue's film about revolutionaries holds a mirror to their faces. Although they don't know that (neither do we), they are transformed and it all comes out after an unforeseen event shakes up their lives. The restlessness of the first half gives way to helplessness and frustration in the second half and predictably leads to some drastic decisions. The success of the movie is that I could emphathise with these feelings and could see the big decision coming. Honestly I would have been tempted to do the same.
But on second thoughts I would have held back. That is what jars in the scene when the friends decide that direct action is the only course available. There is hardly a second thought with only the weak Sukhi dissenting. But he is swept away by the others. Is that a subtle hint at the fate that befalls moderates in any militant organisation? Ever since Sue lands with her inspiring tale of Bhagat Singh and friends and slowly but surely DJ and co get into the skins of these characters, we know something is bound to happen. But why is there no place for one Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the lives of these youngsters? Gandhi is surely a viable antidote to the politics of Singh, Azad and others? Or are the youth of today too weak to contemplate non-violent struggle and opt for violence as an easy option? Maybe Rakeysh Mehra doesn't subscribe to Gandhian politics or he intended it to be a statement on how Gandhi and his teachings have lost relevance in the country today. Either way it is a sad reflection of the state of affairs in India.
The highlight of the movie are the look and feel. There is almost a retro feel to the way these guys hang around together (no bowling alleys or pubs, please). The locations are awesome (mostly around Delhi?) and the music (AR Rahman) has blended well into the script. The music is fantastic as a standalone album also. The best part is that it is not just an Aamir Khan movie but an ensemble effort. For me, Atul Kulkarni and Siddharth come out tops with Soha Ali Khan surprisingly holding her own. Aamir as usual is competent but it sticks a bit in the throat to learn that he is an ex-student. The other drawback is that climax is over the top and bizarre; surely Rakeysh Mehra thought of that climax to max out the impact? Anyway after a long time (after Hazaron Khwahishein that is) a movie has provoked me and made me think, that too without too many digressions of commercial cinema. For that reason alone Rang De ranks pretty high in my list.
Kung Fu Hustle: Zhang Yimou meets Jackie Chan is how I would describe the movie. It is whacky, stylish and thoroughly entertaining. The setting and the look of the film is as surreal as the plot and the start itself hints that we are in for a stylish romp. All in all, a total timepass movie as they say in India. Watch if only for the balletic fights and the amazing twists in the story.
Hotel Rwanda: Don Cheadle's turn as Paul Rusesabagina which won him an Oscar nomination stands out in this fine movie about the genocide in Rwanda in the mid-nineties that had the world sit up and take notice but do nothing much besides. Paul is a manager in the Les Milles Collines hotel in capital Kigali, a successful Hutu in a country that is divided between his tribe and Tutsis. As ethnic tensions escalate, Paul prepares to use his contacts to help himself and his family, while hoping that rest of the world, particularly the Americans and Europe will come to Rwanda's rescue. The dangers of the countryside come to Paul's doorstep when his son witnesses a slaying and is emotionally affected by the incident. But his hopes are belied as they have been belied in Former Yugoslavia, Somalia and other parts of Africa that have witnessed strife. Indeed their setbacks in Somalia means Americans are reluctant to step in. And Europeans as usual prove ineffective, good at talking but not having the balls to intervene. There is a UN peacekeeping force whose aim as the colonel in charge (Nick Nolte) puts it succintly, is to keep peace and not to make it. Laughable really if the context is not tragic.
