Life Lessons

December 4, 2018 — Leave a comment

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THIS FILM YET, IT IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE. WATCH HERE.

It was recently the ten year anniversary of the Gautham Vasudev Menon aka GVM film Vaaranam Aayiram and it is one film that I have always wanted to write about. But I was never able to find the right words. So, this is my attempt at describing what this film has done for me. This is the kind of film that I keep going back to every year. I know exactly which scene is going to make me happy, which one is going to make me cry etc. This familiarity is something that I find comforting. This film shows how good a director GVM can be as he is weaving what can only be described as poetry. Perhaps this movie did not connect with you the same way it did with me and that is fine. However, it did teach me one of the best lessons I’ve got from a movie or otherwise. That is: whatever happens, life must go on. This can seem hard to follow at times but it is the only way we can get through this thing called life.

This is the film that shows what Surya is capable of as an actor and he brings out his full range. The contrast that we see between the father and son (both played by the actor) is remarkable and makes you believe that they are two separate people. We also have the unforgettable music from Harris Jayaraj. The film is excellent on a technical level and works wonders on a narrative basis as well. I try to look at this film analytically but emotion keeps getting in the way. Everyone has one moment that they can relate to and that is the true beauty of the film. By drawing heavily from his own life, GVM is able to provide a story that is authentic and grows in an organic way. It can be argued that a few aspects have been added to make the film more cinematic but without them, we would be left with a documentary. What surprises me the most is that I’m as impressed by the film today as I was when I saw it for the first time ten years ago. Both the actor and director have not made a film together since but let’s hope that it happens soon. But, if it doesn’t happen, as the film tell us, life must go on.

Until next time, bye.

A Comedy With Real People

October 27, 2018 — Leave a comment

I like films of all genres, whether it is sci-fi or a musical, it does not matter as long as the film engages me. One of my more preferred kind of films would be the indie comedy. A lot of these films are characterized by their low budgets, improvisational feel and relatable characters. It takes skill to make any kind of film but for this kind, you need to be careful when scripting, because you are showing the audience people they might know and relate to. This requires that the situations be grounded and the film to have a certain amount of drama as well. Let’s face it, none of us lead lives that is free of drama. All of this is just my way of saying that Support The Girls does this, which makes the film enjoyable and affecting, to me at least. This is the not the kind of film that will draw big numbers at the box-office but hopefully, it will have a small following.

Regina Hall is undoubtedly the standout actor in the film. She makes us root for her and at the end, we are left hoping that she pulls through all that she’s going through. She is ably supported by the other Girls who give the characters life as it doesn’t really feel like they are acting. The true triumph of the film is that it deals with a lot of heavy topics but never loses sight of the humor. This is due to the controlled writing by director Andrew Bujalski. What amazes me is the fact that a story that is only about America is made in such a way that it feels so relatable to a viewer far far away. In a way, films are more proof of the fact that we are more alike than we think. So, I would like to end this by saying that it is okay if you didn’t catch the film in theaters (I didn’t either), you can still Support The Girls.

Until next time, bye.

A Magnum Opus

October 20, 2018 — Leave a comment

It is well known that director Vetrimaaran has wanted to say this story for a long time. So, the movie does come with a lot of expectations and it is safe to say that it has exceeded what it had promised. We have seen a lot of gangster films in Tamil cinema but what makes Vada Chennai special, is the authenticity of the setting and the focus on plot and characters. Where we might traditionally get a protagonist who will get many ‘mass’ scenes, what we see is that he is just another cog in the wheel. This helps elevate the film and makes it resonate with the audience. Vetrimaaran shows how good a director and writer he is with the way weaves together the various arcs of the film. Though we know how the story is going to take place, the impact of those moments is never lessened. A major reason for that is the incredible background music of Santhosh Narayanan. It is a shame that we didn’t get full versions of his songs as they were top notch as well.

As far as the actors are concerned, we have come to expect excellence from Dhanush, Andrea and Aishwarya Rajesh among others. But the real surprise is director Ameer who plays a crucial role. Not only does he get arguably the most crowd-pleasing scene in the film, I was taken aback by how well he had inhabited his role. Until we get see the whole story of Vada Chennai it is a little hard to make up our minds but the bar has been set very high. If the second and third part manage to match up to the intensity and intrigue of the first, we will have a trilogy for the ages. Tamil cinema has been having an amazing past couple of months so the only thing I have to say to the filmmakers and the crew is thank you.

Until next time, bye.

Drenched In Love

October 13, 2018 — Leave a comment

Given the sheer number of love stories that we have had in cinema, it makes us wonder how a film is going to present it differently. That presentation is what makes 96 special. It shows us a love story that has moments which are universally relatable. And, this is one film that is beautiful in many ways. That includes the performances, direction, writing, cinematography and of course, the music. It makes me wonder how this film would have played out if it had a mediocre soundtrack since the work by Govind Vasantha is sheer brilliance. What makes this film stand out against others from the same ilk, is the way a lot of emotions are underplayed. This gives it a more realistic feel. Prem Kumar’s skill lies in the way he never lets anything delve into melodramatic territory. The impact of the scenes is felt on the audience and is not forced by the characters.

Is the film without flaws? No, it does have some issues with pacing especially in the second half. Apart from that, there is nothing wrong with the film as such. The motivations and decisions of the characters may be something that you do not agree with, but that is another debate altogether. The best thing about 96 is that it made me feel a wide range of emotions. Some of them felt good while others were not as good, a little bit like love I guess. Tamil cinema over the past few years, has been giving many examples that it can tell stories of different genres in a different way and 96 is yet another step in that direction. At the end of the film, I felt happy. This is the feeling you have when you have seen good cinema. When the sun peeks out after it has rained and the world is drenched in this golden awesomeness, that is how I felt when the screen cut to black. I hope that makes sense.

Until next time, bye.

Fear Of Fitting In

October 6, 2018 — Leave a comment

Among the many movie genres, the teen movie has been in my opinion, one of the more divisive types out there. A lot of these films are not very realistic or at least, they don’t feel that way. This is where Eighth Grade is different. Instead of showing us the dark side like some films choose as a form of realism, what we see here is just how awkward life is at that stage of life. The script by debutante director Bo Burnham and the flawless performance by Elsie Fisher, ensure that the film is relatable all along. The 8th grade in particular van be very challenging as it represents a transition in our lives. You are on the fast track to your teenage years and the various challenges that come with it. It can be difficult to deal with all this and technology has added to that. Ultimately, it all comes down to our need to fit in and the film explores that emotion beautifully.

This face in the picture above, is the one that defines the film. We see Kayla on her YouTube channel and she seems a different person but in the outside world, she’s shy, awkward and just wants to, (you guessed it) fit in. This is an emotion that is not just felt during your younger years, it can be felt no matter how old you are. The grass always feels greener on the other side. It looks like those people are having more fun than you. It feels like those people have more interesting lives than you. Honestly, that can be true or false but it is hard to be objective about that. For this, I would like to reply with a quote from an Indian film. It goes like this:

“In life, there will always be something better than what we have, but there is no use in changing ourselves to get the other thing.”

Until next time, bye.

Believe The Hype

October 2, 2018 — Leave a comment

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS VERY MILD SPOILERS

Sometimes when a film is being praised by a lot of people, there is a tendency for us to dismiss it. This is because when we watch it, we are challenging the film to impress us and to be honest, that is the wrong way to see a film. So, when I decided to see Pariyerum Perumal I had already heard a lot about it and was excited to see it. The one thing I can say about the film is that it lived up to the hype and then some. Dealing with such a heavy subject such as caste and equality can be a tricky topic but debutante director Mari Selvaraj pulls it off with astonishing ease. The script has a maturity that one would associate with a seasoned filmmaker. By refusing to give any easy solutions, the film manages to stay away from cliches that we might get in a film like this. It is easily one of the best films of the year.

There are many things about the film that stand out and this includes the performances and the music. Is the film flawless? That is for you to say. Kathir does an incredible job as we get to see someone who is helpless, brave, proud, vulnerable, happy, sad etc. It is tough to make acting seem natural but both Kathir and Anandhi do such a good job with their ‘love’ story and it is bound to put a smile on your face. Whether this film is going to bring about a change in society is secondary as the fact that we are talking about a social evil, is the true triumph of the film. When you see this film, you understand that a message does not have to be delivered with a sledgehammer but a glass of tea is all that it takes. That reference will be understood only by those who have seen the film. Its just my way of telling you to watch it and perhaps you too will celebrate it.

Until next time, bye.

Back To The Future

September 29, 2018 — Leave a comment

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS NO SPOILERS

There is a particular feeling that I get whenever I watch a Mani Ratnam film. I guess it could be described as contentment. But it does not stop there as it goes on to spark this discussion within myself and with others. I want to talk about the various aspects of the film and that for me is the hallmark of a film by the master. As for Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, there is a lot to talk about. It ranges from the technical details to the scenes that made it and some that should have made it. But one thing was clear to me seeing the film, this is Mani Ratnam reinventing himself. Even a filmmaker as famed as himself is not above criticism and there were a few aspects that I did not like about his previous film. To see him go in a more commercial vein, feels exhilarating. This is his way of showing that he can make a film that is more crowd pleasing and yet have his own flourishes in them.

As for the film, this is one of the more intriguing films that Mani Sir has made since the turn of the millennium. I read a review that said the film would have worked better if it had been made in two parts and I’m inclined to agree with that line of thought. These characters are fascinating from the outset, so it would have been nice to explore them a little more. It is to the credit of the screenplay that we are left wanting more. The film manages to feel like both a throwback to the Nayagan and Thalapthi days but it feels fresh. If this is the direction that Mani Ratnam is going to go in, I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

PS: It is genuinely heartening to see this crimson sky turn into box-office gold.

Until next time, bye.

Sense And Sensibility

September 18, 2018 — Leave a comment

Harmony Korine is one director who is always able to provoke divisive opinions about his films. You either love him or you hate him. While I had heard a lot about him, I had not seen any of his films until I got to see Spring Breakers. In an interview before the release of the film, Korine said that he wanted to create a sensory experience and put the audience right in the middle of a spring break. This is where he succeeds big-time as we get to see all the sights and sounds that make it one of the craziest times of the year. So, the only question that needs to be asked is whether the film makes sense? The answer to that depends on what your definition of sense is. Korine’s script is linear is one sense but the way it is shown is more fragmented.

If you are a person that wants their films to be linear, this is not the film for you. Then what would be the reason for someone to see this film? At the very least, what you will learn is whether you like these kind of films. From a technical point of view, the most impressive aspects would be the cinematography and the music. Both these departments succeed to such an extent that you feel part of the world that the characters inhabit. And if that was the filmmaker’s intention, then the film does qualify as a triumph. So is that all that is required to make the film enjoyable? I felt that it was a good but weird experience. I may never become a fanboy of Harmony Korine but I can appreciate what he is trying to say with this film. In the end, Spring Breakers is the kind of film that will enhance your palette with regards to cinema and maybe even refine it a little more.

Until next time, bye.

Dear Academy, For Your Consideration

August 30, 2018 — Leave a comment

Being the scariest film of the year, Hereditary has a lot to live up to. This makes the success of it even greater. To watch the film is to understand why horror films have remained so popular over the ages. While other genres have had their popularity go up and down, horror has remained a staple for a very long time. Hereditary is proof of the genre’s ability to produce genuinely scary moments wrapped inside an emotional story. Other films may go for the jump scare to induce fear but here, all you need to do is look closely at the frame to be spooked. A lot has already been said about the film but I would like to focus on one of the biggest reasons for the success of Hereditary as a film and as an experience. I’ll give you a hint, its The Sixth Sense.

One of the problems I have with horror films is that the performances seem too over the top. I’m not able to buy the emotion that these people are trying to sell. This film has a lot of moments that may feel that way but there is a key difference. The emotions are allowed to build, so whenever they come bursting out, it feels justified. It didn’t hit me when I first saw the movie but the more I thought about it, I realised that this was an insanely (no pun intended) good performance from Toni Collette. We get to see what is happening to her and understand why she behaves the way she does. Though it is very likely that her work will be ignored during the awards seasons, the Academy must consider her as a candidate. It is difficult to express the emotional horror a person is going through but she is able to do it in such a way that leaves an impact. A particular highlight is the dinner scene with her husband and her son. The sadness and rage come together in a startling way that is truly terrifying and touching, much like the rest of the film.

Until next time, bye.

When Words Don’t Matter

August 20, 2018 — Leave a comment

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

There are many things to admire about the 2003 film, Lost In Translation. The film won its director, Sofia Coppola an Oscar for its screenplay, that is an indicator of how good the film is. It has an amazing performance from Bill Murray in one of his most sombre roles. Ably supported by Scarlett Johansson, the film manages to rise above the usual romantic comedy and it becomes something that is enduring. This is quite unlike the romance that we usually see on screen. What I want to talk about today is the final scene of the film. It has become famous for how it leaves these two characters. It is also notable that the moment I’m referring to was improvised by Murray. A moment that is not suited for people who want everything to have closure. However, it is perfect in my opinion and I would like to explain why.

Just before they part ways, Bob (Murray) and Charlotte (Johansson) meet to share one last moment. Then comes the shot where Bob whispers something into Charlotte’s ear. Now, if you belong to the group of people that wants to know what was said, I don’t agree with you. The very fact that we don’t know what is being said, gives the scene so much more power. It allows us to interpret it in so many ways. Perhaps it was something silly or maybe it was something profound. Either way, we are left with an absolutely memorable moment. We tend to believe that words are what matter but at times, it is just the act of being around each other that gives us happiness. These two people could go anywhere from here. I feel the reason that the film ends on this note is because, not every story needs an end.

Until next time, bye.