Alvida Farooque Sahab

Farooque Sheikh a man who spent 40 years in the glamour wold and yet the number of films he has been part of, is less than 40, shows how detached he is from the glamour. He was one of those, who believes in quality than quantity. As obvious from the list of films he had done, the understanding he had for cinema as an art. He is a genuine outcome of theatre. An artist who acts in such a way that it feels that he isn’t acting rather breathing the character.

I use to like him from the very first time when I watched him in Shrikant, back in my childhood. As soon as I started understanding the cinema, I watched his many more flicks like Garam Hawa, Shatranj ke Khiladi, Katha, Umrao Jaan, to name a few. But the film which make me his ardent fan is Chashme Buddoor. The famous Miss Chamko scene is sparked with a fantastic chemistry between the leading duo and the simplicity and vulnerability Farooque’s character have. The film went on to become the classic cult, just because of his in depth portrayal of middle class youth. The nuances he brings in the character and change of mannerisms while talking to friends, girl and the Paanwala is spectacular.

Somewhere down the line I feel that he is one of the most underrated actor. While in mainstream cinema Bachchan was ruling the game and Naseer was at his peak in parallel cinema, Farooque gets overshadow. Otherwise he has the charm in his personality to woo the leading lady and intensity to pull of serious character, he could easily be the next Dilip Kumar or Rajesh Khanna. But may be his own personal choice or demand of the market, whatever restricts him to just 30 plus films.

Well as there is no point of talking what he could do or be, let’s just remember one of the finest actor ever to grace the celluloid and pay some respect because Jeena isi ka naam hai

Rest in Peace Farooque Sahab

Satyagraha

“Sarkar janta ki sewa ke liye hai. To janta malik hui aur malik anurodh nahi karte nirdesh dete hai”

Hope all the democratic party feels the same regarding their voters, that’s public. Satyagraha doesn’t offer anything new but whatever it offer, it has a soul, a heart.

At certain phase of life, everybody has seen some form of corruption. May be, we also been a part of it. But the way Satyagraha has shown the power of common people, it may excite you that you could be the revolution, or may be a major part of it. It shows both, pros & cons, when a revolution goes extreme. But after some part of time the reality from the film start vanishing & it moves toward a dramatic or could be said as melodramatic end. Finale of the movie produces the glimpse of Gangajal in your mind.

The film is a story of an idealistic senior citizen Dwarika Anand who transforms into a public figure Daduji, after he slaps the DM of his district. He is supported by Mohan Raghvendra, a friend of his late son. Then come Arjun Singh an aspiring political figure of the city. The group is joined by Yasmeen, a journalist by profession. Also there is Sumitra, daughter in law of Dwarika Anand, just to provide him support, literally.

The film is bit long. The romantic angle between Mohan & Yasmeen is unnecessary. Also it is stretched by an equally unimportant song. Toward the end film seems to try to match the Anna’s Movement, yet at the same time distancing itself, so that they could call themselves different. This all create some haphazard sequences & goes terribly wrong as far as reality is concerned. One can relate Daduji as Anna, Mohan as Arvind Kejriwal, Yasmeen as may be Kiran Bedi. Then there is a glimpse of Shanti Bhushan in lawyer enacted by the character. If your dealing it like any other Masala Film, I’m completely okay with that.

Film shines mostly in Acting department. Mostly everyone has played their character superbly. Though some of the supporting cast goes over the top most of the time, may be because of the script. They are trying to provide some cheap laugh or so. But the man who shines most is Amitabh Bachchan. The role which suits him to the tee. One can clearly hear the modulation in dialogue delivery with his deteriorating health, on screen. Also in some of his emotional scene with Ajay Devgn, you could feel that zing.

Prakash Jha knows the politics like back of his palm. So what he could show, as a part of internal politics, may be no one else could depict, so properly. But the problem with him is, he has develop a kind of template for himself. One will always find some unnecessary item song, in between the film. Somewhere around you could relate some sequence with his previous works. Demise of some important character, creating some turn of incidents. And most importantly the tone remains the same

Music is always a major set back in Jha’s film. They are more likely same in every film. This film needs some inspirational song like Khoon Chala from Rang De Basanti or title track from Chak De India. Janta Rocks tries hard but fails miserably. Raghupati Raghav Rajaram impress a bit, may be because you all have heard it various time. Cinematography is okay. Editing is quite nice.

Overall, Satyagraha starts like a sequel to Rang De Basanti moved from Delhi to small town in MP. It impress until then. But then Jha introduces his template & film starts falling down. It’s the acting which provide the movie some kind of support before it could fall completely flat. Still one can go and watch movie, because it is way way better than the biggest hit of this year.

Rating- Two & A Half Out of Five

…. And PRAN

“Is ilake mein naye aaye ho Saheb, varna Sher Khan ko kaun nahi janta”

A man who doesn’t need any introduction. A man above all perfection. An actor par excellence. No one such him will grace Bollywood again, ever.

In my childhood, when I see the mythological serials like Mahabharat & Ramayan, I was pretty amazed to see that people name there children Arjun, Nakul, Ram, Laxman & all, but they never name there children with name like Ravan, Duryodhan etc. My parents told me that we never use such name as they were the symbol of evil. After two or three year later I came to know an another interesting fact related to this that no one has name their children PRAN for last 50 years(as this is year 1999 & I”m 10 year old) Now I am confused whether this man is evil enough to create such terror.

But today I know that this is his excellence which is beyond anything other. A man who can create such effect on any society with his acting only. It means that his acting never looks acting even in those day when over the top acting is popular. No offense to any one but most of the star in India, whether it is Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna or even Dilip Kumar, every actor has their signature style. This somewhere stops them in going to each and every character. That’s why if first two remain mostly the romantic star for all their life, the last one called as tragedy king. But that doesn’t suit with Pran. Though he gets type casted as villain for a very long time, but he played different characters. And when he gets a chance to change his image, he doesn’t go for the second one. In the first only supporting roles he gets all the acclaim possible. With Upkar, he turned the table round.

Whenever I think of Pran, at a personal level, I get the image of some perfect smoke rings, larger than any thing like Pran himself, and from black & white frame enters Pran. I used to recognize him with those smoke ring, only as an amateur audience. I don’t remember the name of movie. Later I used to respect him as an actor, after watching him in movies which has make him the greatest villain in the history of Cinema, like Ram Aur Shyam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai & many more. But it was Upkar only which make him Legend for me too. The character of Malang Chacha looks tailor made for him only. I get connected to him instantly. I would not be wrong, if I say that it has influenced me too in some way. Today also I love the classic song picturized on him, Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa Sab Baatein Baaton Ka Kya. Next I remember him in Purab Aur Paschim where he played Harnam. Though he is again somewhat in grey shade but the way he transform in the movie & with some fine dialogue, delivered in some unique style make him stuck in my mind as for always. Than come the Zanjeer which gives Bollywood, it biggest star. But it is again Pran who made Bachchan memorable for me in that Police Station scene where Bachchan says “Jab tak baithane ko na kaha jaye sharafat se khade raho. Ye Police Station hai tumhere baap ka ghar nahin”. Look at the way he respond back.

May be he is not more among us, but you can’t remember Bollywood without his mention. CNN mentioned him as among the Top 25 actors of Asia & surely he is.

Barkhuddar…………..!!!!!!!!!!

Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!

“Ab batao mere kanoon ke zamadaron”

Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! is one of the films, which is the result of new wave in Indian Cinema arise in 80’s. It is directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza who later direct Nukkad on TV centering around almost same theme, or more appropriately on same emotion.

MJHH tries to tell the story of common man in real situation. One can say that it is almost filmed in same manner as Jane Bhi Do Yaaron, another cult of the same era. Just the two photographer were replaced by an old couple fighting against the system in more surrealistic manner. They filled a case against their landlord for renovation of their Chawl, but later they get trapped in the web of case.

MJHH begins with a satirical song on Mumbai. Then later Pankaj Kapoor kicks off the drama with a detail explanation on urbanization. Pankaj Kapoor represents himself as the promoter of this urbanization. They goes on to force the landlords to develop their Chawl in multiplexes & other skyscrapers. The story moves from housing problem towards the judiciary flaws. We saw the group advocates running for new clients like vultures. Advocates of different genders discussing their dates according to their priorities in bed. We also saw how client was forced to sell their ornaments & other goods so that lawyers can go on to build their offices & farms. Meanwhile the case never ends.

From various directors & writers, I’ve heard that they get fascinated for love story set against the backdrop of small town. But in this movie we see that there could be a possibility of much fascinating love story in metro. Metros hold various small city in their by lane (Though it has also been dealt in detail in Piya Ka Ghar)

Saeed Akhtar Mirza handles the subject with utmost sincerity & realism. First time I saw the real court in a movie. We never came up with the fighting spirit in real life as shown in films. Mostly people tries to adjust instead of reverting back like a hero. But they want their share in advantages, is gained after someone else struggle. And that’s what MJHH shows. No star of even parallel cinema, was cast in the lead role. Instead Bhisham Sahni, a renown writer was cast in the title role along with Dina Pathak. It adds a great touch of originality, surreality. Just songs should be edited out of the movie especially Haye Re Muqaddama. It decelerate the pace of the movie.

Bhisham Sahni & Dina Pathak played their part exceptionally. May be because they don’t have any particular image prior to this. Though Dina Pathak is a common face of theater & cinema but she is a chameleon & know how to change the skin according to the character. Naseeruddin Shah is another sheer talent. He was & will be the biggest face of parallel cinema in India. Satish Shah supports Naseer well as menacing partner. Amjad Khan as the landlord add his unique stamp in the character. He plays Kundan Kapadia along with Gabbar’s moral value. Rohini Hattangadi is good. Pankaj Kapoor is as usual in the character. Mohan Gokhale doesn’t get much scope. Deepti Naval is perfect in small role. Haroun Mirza also appears in small appearance.

Overall, MJHH address the housing problems & corrupt system along with systematic flaws, all at the same time. It also shows how divide & rule is still applicable on Indians. So it’s worth a watch, if you want to see some sensible cinema in Bollywood.

Life of Pi

“I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye”

Life of Pi is originally the story of this letting go only. Somewhere Pi, the main protagonist is trying to protect himself from the sudden dismissal of his family in a ship wreck. He never gets a moment to say goodbye to them. And than suddenly in Pacific Ocean, he is left alone to survive. To get survived he have just one thing which could help him, i.e. HOPE.

We have some of the greatest story told on silver screen which deals with the same emotion, HOPE. I always remember The Shawshank Redemption in the genre of hope first but Life of Pi is now the next item on the count down. Through Pi the writer of this cast away story has blend hope along with a spiritual journey all over to cover different religion & territory all around the world, especially passing through India

The story of Pi on first hearing looks very monotonous, a boy on the pacific boat with a Bengal tiger, always trying to protect himself, either from tiger or natural calamity. But no, in this case, first of all, the thing which attracts you is the character’s name itself & the story of how his name is discovered. Than how he convinces the entire population to stop calling him from pissing & naming himself as Pi.

Again Pi doesn’t stop here only. He is the one who gets introduced to Christ through Lord Vishnu. He is the catholic Hindu who also practices Islam, in a family where his father describes religion as darkness & obscurity. He also gets introduced to Richard Parker, the Bengal Tiger at an early age. Richard Parker left a strong impression on his mind, which later leads to his spiritual journey in the sea. His journey which has two story of his survival, down the line, has one adapted in another form. Though, the original story doesn’t move the audience as much as the adapted version moves. Because the adapted version takes you more close towards humanity, spiritualism & redemption.

Ang Lee is a brave director. He deserves much more accolades he is receiving. Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is a hell of a book. It treats its character with much more randomness & spiritual detailing, that it is not an easy job to think of that novel to get converted into a cinematic journey. But Ang Lee does that, & that too with a panache. The movie neither loses its pace nor gets monotonic. He surely is a cinematic visionary. But one man who deserves much applause than Ang Lee is Claudio Miranda, the cinematographer. Shooting such film is in itself a difficult job but coming with such flying colors rather with such beautiful floating colors, is something out of the world. I haven’t seen a much better cinematography than this movie till date. Take any frame of the movie & it was so picture perfect. And the 3D just takes the visual extravaganza to a much more height. Going Screenplay wise they are several changes, whether it’s scenario, characteristics of character or detailing, David Magee has done everything to make the adaptation suitable. Music by Michael Danna is truly classical. It’s melodious, soothing to hear & get in sync with the character of Pi & his journey. Film carries various terrific lines from the novel itself.

One thing where the movie doesn’t get any nomination in international arena is acting, though it has some wonderful act. Especially Suraj Sharma, who plays the Young Pi & Irfan Khan who plays the adult Pi, though in a supporting role excels. Suraj Sharma in every frame, whether it’s when he is surviving against the Tiger or when he is learning to survive in ocean, he just delivers the right kind of emotion. On the other hand, adult Pi, the narrator of the story, especially around climax gives you a emotional goose bumps. Tabu as the mother of Pi & Adil Hussian as father of Pi is more than good.

Overall, Life of Pi like its main protagonist who follows many religions goes on touching various genres, emotions across the globe. It’s not only an encouraging journey but also a spiritual & philosophical journey too. One shouldn’t miss this journey. It’s a journey to experience & share

Rating: Four & a Half Out of Five

Kai Po Che!

Kai Po Che directed by Abhishek Kapoor, is the one new addition addition in the Bromance series in Bollywood. Bromance is the new trend in Bollywood frequently gathering focus from last decade. After Dil Chahta Hai lots of maker tries to captivate this genre, but very few are only successful enough. Abhishek Kapoor’s last one was also a film of which focuses on bonding of friends. Though no comparison should be drawn from any other movie, because it wouldn’t be justifying in that case with Kai Po Che.
I’m not a fan of Chetan Bhagat. I’ve read him for the first time just after the release of 3 Idiots & till date Five Point Someone is the only Bhagat’s novel which I really liked. After that all novel seems to follow the same path of male bonding with addition of some female category with same problems of job, success & fame. Three Mistakes of My Life doesn’t impress me much as novel, either. But than also if I liked this movie, than it simply proves that execution of Kai Po Che is much better than novel.
Kai Po Che is the story of Omi, Ishan & Govind in the midst of Gujarat earthquake following India Australia series & concluding with Gujarat riots. In between all these incidents how the life of three friends change is the story of Kai Po Che. There is a slight change in the climax from the novel & more or less it’s good. But the core of the novel is in tact. The whole religious impact of our country, status of cricket just not as a game & many other things are well crafted on big screen.
The film has some terrific performances. Amit Sadh as Omi hits the nail more effectively. His transformation from a follower to leader is spectacular. His eyes filled with blood & revenge gives you goosebumps. Sushant Singh Rajput also delivers effortlessly. He emerges out more as a character among the three. Raj Kumar Yadav plays a sub dude character. He is too simple in his portrayal. Amrita Puri is okay.
Abhishek Kapoor knows his area. He knows how to create those moments which hits the audience & make the movie likeable. He gives complete detailing to his characters. He capture day to day nuisance beautifully between the friends. Background score by Hitesh Sonik is marvelous, so as the music by Amit Trivedi. Though there are only three songs but they are melody to hear for. Cinematography is top notch. But it lacks some great lines which could be remembered for some time. It lacks those punches which increases the life span of movie.
Overall Kai Po Che is a good movie, but it just didn’t give you any moment which you carry forward for some time, as Dil Chahta Hai or Rock on do. But that doesn’t degrade the quality of movie. It’s a movie to be watched for sure.
Rating- Three & a Half Out of Five

Special 26

“Over Confidence ne achche achchon ki li hai“

But it’s difficult to tell that who is over confident here in the case of Special 26 directed by A Wednesday, fame Neeraj Pandey. Though Special 26 is not anywhere closer to A Wednesday, but due to its entertainment value & various hints of satire, it becomes the first entry for the best film of 2013.

Based on real incidents in mid 80’s, Special 26 is about a group who cons various politicians & businessmen. They give birth to something called as Fake CBI. On first it looks that it would be a story of several heist job, but somewhere down the line, whole movie is preparing for a single heist job which happens in the end. Mean while the real CBI joins in to investigate the case on departmental basis. Movie just doesn’t work con drama, somewhere it tries to show the test of character also through various scenes. It provides the hint of cultural value from 80’s too, to their viewers.
Neeraj Pandey knows his job well, which he has proved in his debut only. He knows the art of telling a story with adding thrill to it. He knows how to deliver a surprise package in between the story telling. And that’s where Special 26 works. It mixes the reality with, con drama & adding the layer of satire through various punches. Due to star addition, this time Pandey has to follows the regular way of movie making. Somewhere this has effected the over all quality of movie, from being a class cinema. But all this things are neglected in Bollywood, where movie has to serve just entertainment, nothing else. Cinematography of the movie is top class in the backdrop of Delhi. It created a perfect aura of Delhi in 80’s. But as soon as the city shifts from Delhi to Mumbai, the level of Cinematography degrades from Top level to C- class cinema or even worse. Editing could be more crisp. Film could be completed under 2 hrs.

Special 26 has a strong mix of actors in its team. Akshay Kumar continues his work right from where he lefts it in Oh My God. He is now experimenting with his character. He also tries to add with his voice too. Though the song has not been used in movie, but on promotional aspect it’s surely creating the buzz. Manoj Bajpayi is yet another performer in the movie who is going through the best form in his life as far as acting is considered. Back to back he is delivering different character with panache. In various frame of the movie his eyes movement works on his behalf. He is one of those actors who could turn a simple line into dialogue. Anupam Kher suits to his role best. Jimmy Shergill makes himself notice among such talents. But one talent which is wasted here is of Divya Dutta. She only gets one line to deliver several time in the whole movie, “Asli kam to ye kar rahe hai, hum to bus……” Kajal Aggarwal isn’t needed in the film.
Though music is not needed in the movie but it has some good numbers in the album. Lyrics are fine enough & much better than those coming out nowadays. Mujh Mein Tu & Tujh Sang Lagi stands out among all the track. But a big applause should be given to the background score, as the score continuously reminds you of 80’s but than also it has some freshness.

Overall, Special 26, a con drama, doesn’t con its audience. They are delivered with, for what they are promised to. It’s a cinema for both the multiplex audience as well as single screen movie goers. Go for it because “Asli Power dil mein hoti hai“

Rating- Three & a Half Out of Five

Argo

“If I’m going to make a fake movies, it’s going to be a fake hit”

And, yes it is the best film though never made. Argo is the movie about a movie also named as Argo, which never goes on the floor but it save the lives of six people in it’s pre production stage. I always have a soft corner for the biopic as they have the real emotions in right place. A real life event when portrayed on big screen, it reflects the time & era of that period when that event happened. Argo took place when the Iran is going through the phase of revolution, which caught 6 US embassy delegates in it’s midst.

Argo just doesn’t deal with a successful unclassified mission but it also deals with several other political, social aspects of real life. Argo deals with many human emotions. But in last it becomes the story of Tony Mendez, a CIA specialist. A story which depicts how one’s strong inner sense, confidence on what he believes could make him a great figure.

In the start of 80’s during Iranian civil revolution, the anger citizens of Iran capture the US delegates from the embassy as hostage. But 6 among them succeed to escape through. They got hide in Canadian embassy. It’s than CIA launch a mission under Tony Mendez of a fake movie to get those hostages back. Meanwhile there are several issue like trust issue between Tony & the other six, there self fear to face the Iranian with cover up identity & later US Government call off the mission in between. But the man who came up with all the issue alone is Tony Mendez. The movie starts with the history that why Iranian gets forced to revolt. But later it takes stand completely on behalf of Americans. Though there is a scene in between where Americans are also shown beating Iranian & cursing Iran on camera. Thus it tries to maintain the equilibrium that its the circumstances which force the evil inside us rise. Also various time it’s negative or just the decision of the Government which goes wrong but things turn to be bad for it’s citizen.

Argo directed by Ben Affleck is well maintained drama. It’s a well paced, engaging drama. There is not a single moment which audience wants to skip out or which could be edited. Okay, movie ends 10-15 min before the end credits roll but the moments after the success of mission is well shared & they are needed to be shared. Cinematography is good. It gives you the feel of 80’s. Especially make up department has worked very hard to give almost every character the relevant look.

Coming to acting, Argo belongs to Ben Affleck, whether it’s behind the camera or in front of camera. It’s not the regular Affleck on screen this time. His body language, mannerism is never in the skin of character like this ever. May be he have proved himself a better director than actor winning more accolades for directing, but than also he deserves an applause for his performances as Tony Mendez. Bryan Cranstonas Jack O’Donnell is also terrific. he gives you the most tense moments in the film. But it’s Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel who will entertain you thoroughly with punch, humor & wit. His “Argo fuck yourself” may become a quote to remember after 10-15 year later, if the film can leave it’s impression in other people mind for that longer. Film have some other great quotes too like:-

• It’s got horses in it, it’s a Western.
• What starts in farce ends in tragedy.
• Bad news, bad news. Even when it’s good news, it’s bad news.
• This is the best bad plan we have, sir.

Overall, Tony Mendez can’t be Oscar Schindler but can’t be less than him. Nothing can be more appreciable than saving a life & when the count goes to 6 it certainly becomes an act to remember. And even than if your boss greets you with line, “If we wanted applause, we would have joined the circus”, you know no one will ever know about you but than also it is the feeling of life time. So Argo deserve a watch for that feeling, for Tony Mendez & mainly for the communal harmony which we need these day much more than any one else, of which Canada shows a perfect example in this movie. Go for it

Rating- Four Out of Five

Gone with the Wind-1939

“In spite of you and me and the whole silly world going to pieces around us, I love you. Because we’re alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd. But able to look things in the eyes as we call them by their right names“

This dialogue doesn’t need further more introductions. One of the biggest entertainer ever to hit the screen. Still considered as a masterpiece after, more than 70 years of release. A color film made in 1939, with lots of emotion to fill. An epic saga with some of greatest written characters & quotes.

So, going with the story line, Gone With The Wind is the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a manipulative girl who loves to flirt with the every boy in the town. But she is in love with Ashley Wilkes, who is going to marry Melanie Hamilton soon. Ashley just considers Scarlett as his good friend. He loves some of the qualities of Scarlett but doesn’t love her. Scarlett goes to a party at twelve oaks to confess her love to Ashley where she meets with other man called as Rhett Butler. Rhett Butler is a roguish man. They instantly get attracted to each other, though it took entire film to Scarlett to understand her love for Rhett. When she is confessing her love to Ashley, Rhett overhear their conversation. Soon after the party the civil war is declared.  Scarlett accepts the proposal of Melanie’s brother Charles for marriage, due to the jealousy as Ashley rejects her. But in the war Charles dies & Scarlett turns from a newly wed to a widow. Scarlett’s family sends her to Melanie to cheer her up. She goes there with hope to gain Ashley again. But destiny again forced her to meet Rhett. Ashley returns home on holiday & Melanie gets pregnant. Ashley goes back to war taking promise from Scarlett that she will look after the Melanie & her child. In war Yankees starts proceeding to their house & Scarlett left the place soon after the birth of Melanie’s child with the help of Rhett. They went back to Tara, from where Scarlett belongs. After the war ends they have nothing to eat at Tara. All the eatable & money were looted by Yankees. Meanwhile Ashley returns home & Rhett was captured by Yankees. Scarlett went to meet Rhett so that he could help her with money but Rhett refuses. Returning home she met Frank Kennedy, the fiancé of her younger sister. For money she betrays her sister & marries Frank for money. She brings Ashley & Melanie with her at Franks. Suddenly when everything starts to look normal, in a raid against revenge for attacking Scarlett, Frank gets killed. Rest of the story belongs to Rhett & Scarlett how they meet & what happens after that.

Gone With The Wind is too big in status for me to comment or criticize. So I would like to avoid all those aspect which I would like to edit. Coming straight to the points which makes the film memorable for me. First & most important character which I loved right from the word GO is of Rhett Butler. Played by Clark Gable to perfection, Rhett joins the list of my favorite character. Clark Gable’s mannerism, dialogue delivery & body language all speaks like Rhett. He is smart, brave but intelligent. He is the man with best shot in the country but he is not as excited as others to go for front, neither has he gone too. He remains with the people most of the time during civil war. He has a unique kind of wit in his tone. That wit reflects even when he is sad. Though he knows that Scarlett has a point of affection for Ashley than also he knows he can win her over. He has money, which he uses for charity too. He is a good father but overall a passionate & an ideal lover. Some of his lines are too powerful to portray the emotion of passion. Like

• Here’s a soldier of the South who loves you, Scarlett. Wants to feel your arms around him, wants to carry the memory of your kisses into battle with him. Never mind about loving me, you’re a woman sending a soldier to his death with a beautiful memory. Scarlett! Kiss me! Kiss me… once… 
• I want you to faint. This is what you were meant for. None of the fools you’ve ever know have kissed you like this, have they? Your Charles, or your Frank, or your stupid Ashley. 
• Forgive me for startling you with the impetuosity of my sentiments, my dear Scarlett. I mean, my dear Mrs. Kennedy. But it cannot have escaped your notice that for some time past the friendship I have felt for you has ripened into a deeper feeling. A feeling more beautiful, more pure, more sacred. Dare I name it? Can it be love? 
• This is an honorable proposal of marriage made at what I consider a most opportune moment. I can’t go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands
• Open your eyes and look at me. No, I don’t think I will kiss you. Although you need kissing badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often and by someone who knows how.

Though it may look unconvincing now but from Clark Gable it comes with extreme emotion & style. Some of his other good lines are

• Maybe it’s because I’ve always had a weakness for lost causes, once they’re really lost. Or maybe, maybe I’m ashamed of myself. Who knows?  
• Tell me, Scarlett, do you never shrink from marrying men you don’t love?  
• You go into the arena alone. The lions are hungry for you.
• You little hypocrite. You don’t mind my knowing about them, just my talking about it.  
• I believe in Rhett Butler, he’s the only cause I know. 
• Take a good look my dear. It’s an historic moment you can tell your grandchildren about – how you watched the Old South fall one night.
• You’re like the thief who isn’t the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he’s going to jail. 
• Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn

Another character which I love is of Melanie Hamilton. She is the noblest character written in the history of motion picture, I witnessed. She never points out bad in any one else. She likes to see the best in the person in front of her. She is the woman who has all the motherly aspect in her character. She never looks any one with any kind of doubt. Played by Olivia de Havilland deserve a great applause. She also goes into the skin of character very well.

Though the main female lead is Scarlett O’Hara but I don’t find her too great to include in favorite list, though she is a strong female character. She is too deterministic but there is a child like quirkiness in her. She is not perfectly stable in her decision. She has an ego problem, which mostly we all have. Though she loves Rhett, she was never able to confess. The most beloved thing for her is Tara.

There is no need to tell that most of the cast played their part well & effectively. But I like too point one supporting cast, that is of Mammy. She is brilliant as support. Technicolor looks visual treat to watch. Cinematography is par ahead than it’s time. Music is soothing to ear. Somewhere I feel like last 20 minute goes pretty fast in compare to whole film.

So, overall Gone With The Wind, the epic love story in a mid of civil war, between no gentleman & no lady, kind of person which blossom with their self ego is a treat to watch. You shouldn’t miss it, if you are a real movie buff.

Upside Down 2012

“Gravity, they say you can’t fight it. Well I disagree. What if the love was stronger than gravity“

There is a very fine line between fantasy & illogicality. If the fantasies slightly cross the line it becomes too illogical. The same happens with Upside Down. When I first watched the trailer, I feel a certain urge to watch the film instantly, as the subject of two twin world with opposite gravity attracts heavily. And a love story between the people of these two planets seems pretty interesting to watch. But when I watched the movie I feel pretty disappointed because the movie was not up to the trailer. I feel that a perfect idea is wasted in form of Upside Down.

The line above could be the main reason for the script to fail. As when you start getting biased on certain component in a script, it’s than the script starts loosing it’s track. The moment writer of the movie becomes biased for love element, the starts pushing gravity & logicality down. And result is the love wins, along with illogicality. 

Upside Down is the story of Adam & Eden. Adam is from the down world of poor whereas Eden belongs to the rich world of upper planet. Now they meet one fine day when they were in their pre teens. They instantly get connected. They starts meeting up to the late teens. Than one day they get found & separated by the police as the two worlds are not allowed to get in touch, especially for such relations. They meet 10 years later. And what happens next is the entire movie about.

The major loopholes are, firstly it was never ever tried to show the development of chemistry between the two neither in teen nor later. They just get attracted & fall in love. But they hardly spent any time to know each other, in such a way that they gets ready to cross the world for each other. But they do. Surely the answer will be love. Secondly, why the government of both the world is so strict especially in love affairs is never explained. They can hire the workers from other world, but they can’t fell in love. Why, not explained. There is two or more time, when it’s never shown how Adam gets escaped from Upper world. How the Police gets alarmed every time they meet, is never told. Finally when she gets pregnant & suddenly how the fantasy gets fairy tale ending is not shown. 

The best thing about the movie is it’s idea & than the way it is executed from camera lens. Movie is a visual treat. Though at some places it looks irritating to watch a guy talking with other guy who is in inverted position, but than also it is a difficult job to shoot. Director tries to show the division of rich & poor through the division of worlds, which is quite innovative. But neither this gets connected to romantic genre nor with fantasy. 

Jim Sturgess & Kirsten Dunst have played their part well. Though Jim most of the time tries to get escaped from one world to another but than also he is okay. Dunst doesn’t get too much scope. Timothy Spall as Bob is good.

Overall, you can watch the movie for a new idea/concept. If that excites you, you can give it a watch. Otherwise neither as a romantic drama nor as a fantasy, it is a watchable experience.

Rating- Two Out of Five