Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Gravity, Death in Space

Death is the only certainty in this world. And we are scared to die, almost all of us.

While everyone has to die their own death, dying alone with no one around you feels more cruel. What if you are let to fend for yourself and fight to keep yourself alive? With all the odds stacked against you.

How would you feel?

Gravity is about the fight for survival of an astronaut stranded all alone 600 kms up above mother earth. A mission that goes wrong leaves Sandra Bullock fighting one disaster after another that seem to be attracted to her like she is a magnet. Does she survive is the story. The movie is brilliant from the perspective of the way it has been shot. Will remind you of the film that is played at a planetarium.

Why are we so scared of death? In this movie, Sandra Bullock, in fact, has nothing to look forward to. While reasons could be obvious, why do we feel for the characters who die a lonely death? Is it because there is no chance of their bodies ever getting a burial or cremation? Is it that they do not get a chance to say a good bye to their loved ones? Or because they probably have no opportunity of seeing their loved ones before life is sucked out of them?

While I did like the film and felt very bad for George Clooney, I probably thought it wasn't as touching the other two movies that I have seen with pretty much the same core - Castaway and Life of Pi.

Tom Hanks' brilliant performance that moves you in Castaway takes you on an emotional roller coaster as he tries to survive and connect with the rest of the world. While Sandra Bullock has just one day to ensure that she survives, Tom Hanks has to find ways to kill his days and also try surviving. From a sophisticated urban professional to a cave man in an isolated island, he has to acquire new skills and keep himself sane. The most touching scene in the movie was when he loses his only friend in the island while he attempts to survive.

Life of Pi on the other hand is spiritual. About God. Yes, it is also about survival of young Pi Patel at sea. If loneliness and sea were not enough, he also has to deal with Richard Parker, "ferocious tiger". He discovers God and himself in his quest for survival.

In terms of visuals, Gravity and Life of Pi are delightful treats. But probably Castaway is more emotional and painful fare.

Death is the only certainty in human life. Be it on sky or land or water, we have to face it. And we have to fight for our lives, till the very end. 

Monday, October 7, 2013

Lunchbox, satiates

Lunchbox serves a very different meal to film goers used to Indian masala diet. This despite the fact that this movie is like the Maanga Pachadi, a dish made with raw mango, jaggery and neem flower, that my mother makes for Tamil New Year. It has all the tastes. And just like my mom's preparation the movie is more on the sweeter side. The Pachadi is supposed to be equally sour and bitter in addition to being salty.

The main ingredients of the movie? An old widower on the verge of retirement accidentally starts receiving lunchbox from a depressed housewife and the depressed housewife is trying to gain her husband's attention by cooking delicious meals (believing the way to a man's heart is through his stomach). The lunchbox becomes medium of correspondence between the two. 

Before I go further, there are other side dishes served along. There is a young raw accountant trying to get the attention of his manager, the old widower. Then there are two old ladies stewed in pain. One turns into a sugar syrup despite her husband's condition while the other becomes dry and burnt due to her husband's state. 

So coming back, the correspondence which starts as a way of killing each other's loneliness, soon turns into love. The relationship seems like perfect mix of spices, each bringing what the other wants. Soon the practicality sets in and the old widower is unsure. 

The movie entertains in all parts. The interaction between the housewife and her helpful invisible neighbor, and the young recruit vying to get the attention of his superior adds zest. 

Like water which despite not having characteristic but important for any dish, the Mumbai dubbawallas and the local contains the plot. 

But what the dish really delivers is love. Love served to the old man, who otherwise is cold and emotionless, makes him give love back to the unknown lady, children in the neighbourhood and an inept subordinate. Love given to a depressed lady gives her hope. 

Lunchbox is a good fare. Despite being an Indian movie the spices seems to be light.