Love Stories- Really?

The first time I heard of Nicholas Sparks was in a reference to my story, where the commenter emphatically emphasized to read him to know how to write a love story. Then came the ubiquitous talk of ‘The Notebook’- how it is amongst the finest love stories ever made. Being suffused with romance in Bollywood, I am not a taker of love stories of Hollywood by default. I have enjoyed a few, viz. Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Sleepless in Seattle etc, but in general, their set-ups are too alien, contrived and trite for me to partake on regular basis. Hence, my continued avoidance of these movies, despite their long presence in my hard disk.

Somehow though, within a week, I watched ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Walk to Remember’. I am still undecided how to put my verdict. Watching with expectation does pull down the excitement. But even considering that aside, I can’t put the movies higher than a certain level in the pedestal. These movies, esp. The Notebook, are too artificial, if the word suits here, to stamp their eternal love sensibilities, they so proudly strive to portray.

The Notebook is a narrative spanning the life-time of the protagonists. They meet in teenage, when their love can just be construed as an infraction bordering on infatuation. But their love, stood over family disapproval, social barriers, war trials etc to unite at the end. The actress suffered with dementia later on, but the man made sure to read her their story to bring her back every day. They died with the hands-clasped and hearts-united setting. A good story indeed, more so for those who haven’t watched these many times.

A Walk to Remember, for me, is a better movie than the above. The lead actor is a dandy fellow, with a coterie of like-minded friends. They have scant respect, in fact, they harbor derision, for a simple unfashionable girl. The boy, however in a series of happenings, falls in love with the girl he earlier avoided. All bliss? But no, again the actress in this movie is befallen with tragedy; she is inflicted with leukemia, and ultimately dies in the end. However, she was able to change her lover’s life for the better. The characters are more believable here, majorly due to their superior acting.

Nicholas’ books, they say, are more cogent with their precise moments of love rendition. The books have that luxury to paint a scene more vividly. The movies have to do that instantly. For me, those moments never came. In the end thus, despite trying to love them, I can’t help not loving them.

Delhi Belly- Loose in its motion

I love you (like I hate you) … Welcome to Delhi Belly, the latest cinematic offering from Aamir Khan Productions. It advertises its tagline – ‘Shit Happens’. Shit indeed happens, that’s why it is! But what if it happens throughout the movie? Nobody would have been prepared, however well-informed, for the volley of cuss words – more pronounced if you watched the movie in Hindi version- coming nonchalantly out of the screen. It is indeed sad that most of the discussion about the movie after its release has, in-a-fit-of-shock, zoomed on its irreverent dialogue-delivery only. The comic capers, story, songs etc are side-shows for a first.

But this is what puts Delhi Belly as an inflection point in Indian cinema. Has it become real? It is dangerous to act either a puritan or a maverick, if he hasn’t attained a strong viewpoint of either theory. I lie in the middle now; hence the movie has reasoned me more than any other in recent times.

I am not a hypocrite, to repeat a self-styled uber-dude’s statement. I myself have been a big giver of slurs-more during college times, and still mouth expletives when reunited with old charmers. I am a watcher of more unmentionables-sexually oriented movies to put in the mildest terms- as every male adult of my age normally happens to be. I am a go-gaga fan of Hollywood equivalents – Wedding Crashers, The Hangover, American Pie etc, where the words and scenes know no bounds. So, why this reservation about Delhi Belly then? Why not speak the reality in cinema too, if it happens around us? Why the cloak of denial?

The answer-reality is best exhibited when hidden. Otherwise there would not been clothes on our bodies and curtains in our bedrooms. The realism plays more relevantly when seen through the context too, here the Indian context. I still believe our current Indian scenario, however Westernized it might be professed by a few believers, is not ready yet to accept these concepts. An antagonistic thought-it might seem, but the fact is we still don’t swear in front of our parents however unabashed our friend-circle is; we still attach importance to non-alcoholism as a virtue however big drinkers we ourselves might be; we still regard girls clad in non-body showing dress as marriageable than ones clothed in miniskirts; we still consider down-to-earth boys more suave than the dandy Casanovas. And now don’t give me the examples of metropolitan cities, girls, boys and families. They don’t represent the whole India, but this mainstream movie does play in the length and breadth of the country-the country which is still illiterate, poor and not emancipated on economic, social and political counts.

It might seem a bit far-fetched to link an adult comedy with Indian deprived social dimensions. But the moot point is will the movie spawn a series of such uninhibited renditions now? Will there be future mainstream movies where the Ranbir Kappors, Kangana Ranauts, Imran Khans, Sonal Chauhans won’t dare a dime explicitly mentioning each others acts and organs, where their topless bodies become the normal movie reels as prevalent in Hollywood, where the debate would be how much and not why this. How real but uncomfortable that would be for the rest of the people of India where movie-watching during dinners or social gatherings is an act of familiar bonding and not only an entertainment? That day has to come; Delhi Belly is just the start. But the day should come when it is destined to be. Delhi Belly is still ahead of its times. But who am I to decide? Take your pick- love it or like it, lap it or thrash it, it’s your choice and vision. But do reason it.

To that point, indeed a big Kudos to the movie for inciting such invigorating opinions from all quarters. Hey! Did I talk anything about the movie though :)

Toy Story 3

Now, what a scorcher this movie is! I happened to watch Toy Story 1,2 and 3 in succession, and it was an overwhelming ride all the way.

The below review posted on IMDB catches it all. Sorry for copying it without permission, but you speak for all of us here buddy....

How in the world did Pixar make adults CRY over TOYS??!

18 June 2010 | by interrealm (Utah) – See all my reviews

The best magic tricks in the world are ones that cannot be unraveled, reverse engineered or dissected to figure out exactly how they are pulled off. This philosophy is doubly applicable to Pixar's "Toy Story 3", the storyline-ending outro of the beloved Toy Story, uh, story.

I feel it relevant somehow to divulge my age, as it somehow validates the powerful emotions evoked throughout the film. I am a 28 year old male, who, fifteen years ago, was fresh into the teen years of supposed adolescence at the release of some weird, 3d animated movie (wait, they can animate with computers?) entitled "Toy Story". This was a pretty bold move, a calculated stroll to the edge of the cliff and a daring leap off into the thin air of creativity and innovation. And it was a hit, ensuring 3d animation a place right alongside (more or less) 2d animation. And naturally, Pixar would be at the forefront, leading the cavalry charge of digital animation ranging from great to gawd-awful.

"Toy Story 3" starts off as comfortably as possible, with our friends Woody and Buzz Lightyear doing what they do the best...playing with Andy in his world of make-believe adventure. We are then treated to some familiar Pixar progression, like abandonment, solidarity, coming back to friends, and the passing of the torch. Clearly, in the eleven years between this point and when "Toy Story 2" wrapped, a computer revolution or four has occurred, allowing a world of unsurpassed clarity, reality and imagination to shine through like never before. TS1's spark is TS2's candle, and that in turn is TS3's blazing sun.

Roll the last fifteen minutes of film. It became clearly obvious that the figurative tables have been turned, because a good number of the adults in the audience (including myself) were sniffling and teary-eyed, while the kids were looking up, likely thinking "jeez mom and dad, they're just toys, get over it".

Wasn't it conventional wisdom that just the kids get emotional over losing plastic playthings? With "Toy Story 3", Pixar has shown us one of the greatest magic tricks in modern showbiz history, likely not to be outdone or duplicated, that we all have very real and deep connections to our childhoods and to the things and people that allowed us as kids to be free, and innocent, and pure, and most importantly, to dream. This, to me, is a life lesson worth remembering, to infinity and beyond.

The Art of Movie-Watching

I have always wondered, why have movies become such a liberating soul for people worldwide, since its inception by Lumiere Brothers at Paris in 1896? It is just a non-real reel of 2/3 hours presented in money-raking way. So, why associate and believe in it? For me, it is more about the inner reflection that movies mirror to me all the time. I get lost, immersed in the screen with the characters, as if it were me out there. I become the movie, for all my wishes, desires, ambitions, grievances etc find their utterances there. So, it is a valuable duration of 2 hours for me, and I leave no stone unturned to make it worth it, for if I watch trash and turbid movies, my association in fact gets lost, which is a dearer price to pay.

First, I ensure that I watch the movies in absolutely good quality, soothing ambience, uncluttered mind, in effect, in a total Eden of conditions. Cinema halls/theatres provide such a typical environment, but not always. Moreover it is not possible to catch older movies there. So, a good-quality DVD print, even though downloaded, works perfect for me. The solitude of night, after my day-scheduled works are over, provide a great time, as my mind is content and relieved of the nagging guilt of preferring movies to the other important works, read studies.

Second, I try to get a briefing, just little, beforehand, about the movie I am about to watch. It could be a review or some comments on IMDB. That helps me to dive into the cinema’s background. I seamlessly flow into the characters then, and till the end of the movie, I am away from the earth zone. If I like the movie, I again review the movie, this time elaborate, in my mind. IMDB discussions also help me a lot there. Plus getting acquainted with the actors/actresses and their other movies augment my knowledge and understanding both. This way the movie sits in/with me for long, and I have often been able to recognize a movie by just watching a second of its scene.

Third, and which is a very recent phenomenon, I have tried to be selective in my choice. In my lifetime, I know, I will be able to watch only a limited number of movies. So, why not watch only the good ones? While the definition of good is very subjective and also temporal, one can reasonably make a list, if one has got enough discerning qualities.

For my selection, I employ my fourth and probably the most important rule. My solemn effort has been to bring variety to my movie-watching, as I believe, of all other factors, this is what brings interest towards a certain kind of movies for the people. A person, who has only watched mushy Bollywood movies, when exposed to real-life expedition movies of Hollywood, finds himself enamoured. Then after some time, he realizes these super-natural movies too are duds. For foreigners, who have some interest in music and drama, Bollywood movies are a soaring lift from reality. Sometimes, people like what they want to watch. So, movies centered on African Civil War, India’s poverty, Muslim countries female torture, Europe’s free-for-all society etc are hit worldwide. It is the ability of the movies to connect with minds of the viewers that makes them great. And for viewers, it comes from providing variety, in genre, language, location etc, to their movie-watching. Rest all talk about movie paragon-touch is drivel. No one can watch Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, and Forrest Gump in succession. It has to be interspersed with an Inception or an Ice Age or a Dark Knight.
If one can add global variety to one’s selection, then it is probably the apotheosis. Each country’s sensibilities are different, but great. And movies provide a great way to feel those. For this, one needs to get used to watching the foreign language movies in dubbed mother-language or with subtitles, though knowing the foreign language won’t do any harm either.

These all have been the key steps of my holy quest towards the art of movie-watching. These are neither universal nor uniform, but knowing me, I know, these are the best for me.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

It has been months since I watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But it has failed to get away from me. It still leaves me in knots, cerebrating about the characters and their realities. Seriously it is not such a thought-provoking movie, as has been taken in by me. It is rather landscape-filled, laidback-storied, amorously-laced, emotionally-turbulent tale of a philander and two swooning ladies over him. But the whole idea is very alien to me, may be, the reason why I am still disturbed by the movie.

I should get to the point straightaway. I despise all the characters in the movie, just for their casual and heretic outlook to love and sex in particular, and life in general. How can true love, if that is depicted in the movie, be so loosely attached to sex? Getting laid is not a part, but the be and end of love, as shown in the movie. An old lady, Judy (Patricia Clarkson) has been married with Mark (Kevin Dunn) for last 30 years, but is still shown osculating around with a younger guy. Reason: Mark has proved to be a dunce in emotionally charged love all these years. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) has been in love with Doug (Chris Messina) for the last few years and are about to get married, but one single sexual encounter with Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) has made her question her earlier love and crave for that uninhibited fanciful love so greatly exhibited during that fling. And what to say about Cristina (Scarlet Johansson) who is not sure of her love and partners, and better say, life, and keeps offering them to everyone. Juan Antonio, for me, is the real despicable guy, treating women as bed spreads, and her wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) is a true amazon, if you know what this word means. Oh God! They are so messed up and confused. Life can’t be so byzantine, surely.

Yet, I am telling you this, I covet them all. If I have to choose a character that I resemble most, it is Doug then- a simplified, straight-going, reason-believer lad who takes life on face value. But watching the movie also made me wonder about the other side. The uninhibited love is unsure but also unbound. I have not ever delved in an uncontrolled emotional flow, so I can’t fathom what it feels to be like. Isn’t life also or only about exploration and experimentation, of love, sex, life …. What piece of monotone is a straitjacketed life then, even if intellectual, idealistic and pious! It is not an easy question to answer, and has lingered on since man discovered himself. Probably, reason wins more often, but then is also constantly taunted and questioned, intermittently, by the charms of gay abandon.

And I believe, that is what Woody Allen wanted to show, overall, more so at the end, when all the characters moved in their directions in life, as if Barcelona never happened at all. Finally the realities of life hit them, and it was back to square one. What transpired in those flirtatious weeks of Barcelona was not just an occasional holiday sojourn, but a direct Q&A of our ‘mind and heart’s’ ever dueling propensities.

A surely, between the scenes, movie. And I know I won’t be able to stop wondering about it, soon.

A sabbatical of sorts

There could be nothing more frustrating or annoying than giving up on your one-of-the-most likened things. For the last 5-6 months, my blogging had to endure a test of wait amidst all the frentic and sapping schedule of my life. Even after putting a resolve every now and then to get back to it, I was unable to devote much or rather any time to it. And sorrily, I won’t be able to give any time in future too, for at least 4-5 months.

It is all for a greater cause only; but I hope, I will come back more learned, energized and focused then.

So, it is an official sabbatical till then. Hope life continues to cherish all of us!

3 Idiots to My Name is Khan

Oops! Such a long time. The hiatus owed to a lot to the recent activity in my life. So much so that I could watch just one movie in the last two months. Unsurprisingly, it was 3 idiots.

I need not sing hosannas how good the movie is. It has already been hawked to the stale limit now. But one aspect of the movie that has gone unmentioned is how the movie has elucidated the topic of education in such great and aesthetic detail. Earlier the heroes of the movies were all backbenchers and study-loathers, as if mocking studies imparted them the macho to attract the pretty damsels of the class. Nowhere there was an emphasis on how good education creates suave human beings. But 3 Idiots paints this with an added philosophy of how that good education should be like. It is an unfettered ride, evoking some wonderful moments of college life. Only Raju could have made such a film, and only Aamir could have enacted such a rule. Hallelujah.

Moving on, I believe ‘My Name is Khan’ is going to be the next stop. And what a delight it would be to watch it in a theatre in India again. It has been a bloody long time since I watched a Hindi movie on the big silver screen, with the augmented aura of grand landscape suffused with melodious songs. The movie percolates with the environs too inside you. Undoubtedly the movie will have that same bigger-than-life SRK rendition to sprout all feel-good vibes inside you.