4 genres

"Something Old
Something New
Something Fictional
Something True. "

That's how easy it is to sum up. Those are the movies I ended up watching after returning back to Mangalore. And quite surprisingly, though there is no semblance of a similarity between these 4 films, I enjoyed each one of them very much, for different reasons . And felt , perhaps, a little cheated too.



SOMETHING OLD :

CASABLANCA

This 1942 movie is even today considered one of Hollywood's best romantic movies. Set against the German rampage of World War 2, it tells the story of Rick ( Bogart ) the saloon owner in Casablanca ,in unoccupied France, a place where Europeans come to find an escape route to freedom..America. It is here that Ilsa ( Ingrid Bergman ), the love of his life who abandoned him mysteriously , now comes seeking refuge and an escape route. Why she did it, why the Gestapo have an eye on Rick and Ilsa's partner and whose side Captain Renault is on keeps you engrossed through out. You may have heard so many of the classic quotes of this movie. ( "Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake." "Here's looking at you, kid" "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship")

That it was an old romance I expected. That it would bore me I feared. That I would be impressed,well.. that was unexpected. The humour, the subtle comments on life in that era and the change in the characters as the story moves forward to its inevitable conclusion - it truly deserves its title as a classic. This is a sweet romance , perhaps eclipsed by some of today's romances, but still very watchable. Me, I'm still humming "As time goes by" long after Sam stopped playing it.

SOMETHING NEW :

JAAN-E-MANN

2 guys and a girl ? How original ! No, wait ! There's Salman ( you mean Saajan ?) , Akshay ( Dil To Paagal Hai ) and Preity in New York ( Kal Ho Na Ho ? ).

You see the reservations I had while going for this movie. Everything in the story line said FLOP. Yet, I guess that's the beauty of cinema. It surprises you. A simple story line of a guy helping another guy to get a girl is not exactly "wow" material. Yet, the presentation takes it to a new level. Right from the opening scene ( literally, out of this world ) to Salman's entrance to the presentation of the character's histories ( that's where I guess I realised this was gonna be different from the usual Bollywood stuff ). There is a lot to laugh about and I felt rather than 'be Bollywood ', the director was poking fun 'at Bollywood' more often than not.

None of the stars are brilliant by any means, though I was shocked to see Salman cry convincingly. Guess there's a first time for everything. Anyway, it's a comedy. Brilliance takes a back seat to comic timing which these 2 veterans possess in abundance anyway.

The usual flaws : Dragging second half ( ok, the second half of the second half ), life styles disproportional to their means..you come to expect that, I guess. But the visual treat ( special congrats to the director here ), the humor- both subtle and loud gags are engaging. Definitely, something to look forward to. Especially if Umrao Jaan tanks, leaving this weekend free with nothing worthwhile to watch in the big screen.

SOMETHING FICTIONAL :

V FOR VENDATTA

The problem with making a comic book ( graphic novel , in this case ) is the expectations. You have to live up to people's visions. And that is no mean feat.

Oppression. Tyrants ruling with an iron fist. Intolerance. Britain. And this is the 'near future', not the 'distant past'. Into this world comes a vigilante in a Guy Fawkes mask calling himself V and blowing up the Parliament, trying to awaken hope in a world where it is scarce. How he frees young Evey Hammond, from the oppression, both without and within herself finally and makes her his unwitting ally is shown quite poetically. Quite. Because, if you ask me, the movie had to be dummed down for an audience to 'get it.' The novel was layers upon layers of intrigue and darker. But I'm pleased at the way it was eventually portrayed from the dark V to Evey and her re-birth to the life style that may yet become our future. The timing of this movie was perfect, given the world we live in now ( remember, the novel was envisioned in the '80s). This is a political movie, have no doubt on that. Don't go in expecting a special effect - charming wit- action extravaganza as the trailors promise you ( mentioning the directors as "the Matrix directors" gave many people a wrong idea, if you ask me) . This is, a movie to reflect upon.

I couldn't help but wonder though - V would never succeed in this day and age, would he ?

SOMETHING TRUE :

CRASH

Tagline- "You think you know who you are. You have no idea"

There was something about the phrase alone that stood out for me. The story revolves around 6 totally unrelated families, alternating between all their lives showing their racial prejudices and the effects it has in their lives. I was reminded of a symphony as I watched this - the slow build up, the various parts falling into place as the tempo rose, to the car accidents that join these families for just a moment, but in doing so, brings out the truth these people would rather not face.. the truth about who they really are. The moral dilemnas we face,how we justify our actions, what we are and how it can come back to haunt us - this is the crux of the film. I'm not going to point out any one actor here - because this is a movie for actors. The movie lives and dies on their skills and here, not one of them lets the director down. The racial prejudices in each one of us is portrayed here.. it's only a matter of finding out which actor is playing you. And that's scary.

This is no popcorn movie.. more for a lonely night with that frightening person alone for your company - your mind.