Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Monday, November 22, 2010

Udaan, Parental Guidance

Mata Pita Guru Deivam!

This was something that I had heard from my parents often when I was a kid.

Indian culture and mythology is full of lessons in respect for parents. School books reinforce it. There is enough literature and other content which has depiction of parents as strict disciplinarians.

But when in Udaan the psychotic Father instructs his son to call him Sir, just like a junior would refer to his senior in college during ragging days, I thought it was a bit too much.

But then movies are often inspired by life, it is said.

The wristwatch stands testimony to the tyranny that is being passed from one generation to the other in the movie. With your own parents being the biggest influence and with no proper education on parenthood, it is only but natural for a human being to imitate what has been experienced.  

Actually the movie is not as much about the son who suffers, but it is about the father who is caught up with the old-world child rearing. Though he appears callous, there are scenes which have subtle expressions of love for his children. The tormented soul is never able to break the shackles, though.

A very different movie which not everyone will be able to appreciate. Since, I have my own experiences to refer to, I am able to appreciate what has been portrayed.

There are some nice performances. Especially, the tiny younger son!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Aandhi, A Turmoil

I have already watched Avishkaar (starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore) and Anubhav (starring Sanjeev Kumar and Tanuja). And I wondered how these 70s films were so ahead of time. They dealt with complex husband-wife relationships. They are such mature films that they put the contemporary Hindi films to shame by their depth.

Aandhi is a film by Gulzar starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen. Supposed to be 'inspired' by Indira Gandhi's married life, the film is about the strain in relationship due to an ambitious wife and a man caught up in the traditional old world life. Aarti is daughter of a business man who wants the daughter to achieve something in life. Join politics, precisely, so that it would help him in business. But she falls in love and gets married to JK, a hotel manager.

But a desire to enter politics, fueled by father, leads to a strain in her married life. JK prefers his wife to be at home, do the chores and take care of the kid. Aarti decides not to be a typical housewife and moves out.

9 years thence, fate brings them together when Aarti comes to the town for an election campaign and stays at the hotel headed by JK. How they come together represents the change in Indian society. Emancipation of women and an acknowledgement by men that wife is not necessarily for the house.

You will love each and every song. They will haunt you for long time. Sanjeev Kumar is fantastic in the role and plays it with such elan, persona dignified.

I think the Indian society and marraige has long moved from the state that is portrayed in the movie, but still it has a lot of meaning even in the changed circumstances. Must watch.

On a side note, the one thing common to Aandhi and Anubhav is AK Hangal. He plays to servant in both the movies and has almost very similar dialogue. Watch for it.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hannah And Her Sisters, A Mess

Must say, this wasn't all that funny for a Woody Allen movie. Not that it wasn't, but it was slightly more serious but not uncomfortably heavy.

I think when Woody Allen thought about the script, he was under depression and had many thoughts running in his mind. The movie has many themes, each quite suitably handled by the actors.

Hannah's husband Elliot gets entangled in a relationship with her sister, Lee. He seems to have lost it for Hannah because of self-sufficiency and resentment of her emotional strength (picked from Wikipedia). Lee, herself, is living-in with a reclusive artist, Frederick. And seems like she has lost it for him as she doesn't feel equal.

Then there is the third sister, Holly, who is not too sure what she wants in life. She is contemptuous of Hannah despite the financial dependency.

The only comic relief in the entire set-up is neurotic Mickey, Hannah's ex-husband. Of course, Allen plays that role, so you can be rest assured that he is funnily irritating. Now, his part in the movie explores life, death religion and spiritual awakening.

It is a typical Woody Allen movie, albeit a bit serious.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge: Soaked In Culture

This is like a Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie set in contemporary times. Ashwni Dhir, the director, does a nice job in giving lessons in Indian cultural, capture the urban lifestyle and all the while tickle the funny bone. Maybe, just maybe, a few moments, it was bordering preachy, but it never crosses the limits.

All the three main cast - Konkana, Ajay and Paresh - have given a nice measured performance.

The movie is about a couple with small kid who receive an unannounced guest. Everything seems fine, till the couple realize that the guest is in no hurry to leave. To add to their misery, he is a simpleton with no exposure to urban sophistication. The couple use a variety of methods to eject the guest out, but meet with failure every time. However, in the end they realize their folly and understand the valuable contributions he has made.

If you are looking for a movie that will entertain you and also teach a lesson about hospitality, watch it. I particularly loved the bit where Ajay takes Paresh to the shooting spot where the latter takes fascination for Viju Khote! Athithi Tum Kab Dekhoge!