happilyunmarriedeveraftr Reviews

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)

A Truly Well Made Rendition of a Magically Written Book

[9/10 · 26 November 2007]

Let me start by writing that I hope everyone goes to see "Love in the Time of Cholera" in the theaters. Do not wait for the DVD, as you just won't be able to get the complete picture. Mr. Newell does magic with a book that, while reading it, I could not visualize as a film. But he masterfully cuts across times and lengthy descriptions by Marquez to create a tight, well rounded storyline, with fully dimensional characters that express all the anger, pain and joy of true love. I read the book only recently and had Mr. Bardem in mind the whole time as Florentino Ariza, since I knew he had been cast for the role. The friend I went to see the movie with was not completely satisfied with his performance as she - and I quote - "could not believe that this man would be so successful in his pursuits". Maybe I was influenced by my imagery while reading Marquez' book, but I find Mr. Bardem the perfect man to play Florentino. Who else would look sexy in so much aging make-up, a bowler hat and nondescript black suits!?! Ms. Mezzogiorno is a true revelation and very beautiful - both as a young woman and later in life - as Fermina Daza and I was very pleasantly surprised to find Brazilian actress Fernanda Montenegro in the role of Florentino's mother Transito Ariza. Even John Leguizamo, as a bit of comic relief with his obvious NY accent, is very well cast as the brash Lorenzo Daza. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who has ever loved, thought about love, read about love and wished to feel love! In other words, EVERYONE.

Saawariya (2007)

A Magical Fairy Tale Which Will Both Delight You and Entertain You!

[9/10 · 8 November 2007]

Let me preface this review by writing that I enjoyed Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black" so much, I have looked forward to "Saawariya" for months, with the highest of expectations. And once more, I was not disappointed. Mr. Bhansali tells Dostoevsky short story "The White Nights" as a fluid, brilliantly colored and magical fairy tale. Ever since I was turned on to Mr. Bhansali's work with "Black" - and later watched"Devdas" - I have thought of him as the modern day, Hindi film industry's answer to Luchino Visconti. So it wasn't a complete surprise to learn that Visconti made a film titled "Le Notti Bianche" which was also based on the same short story. Both directors possess a unique touch with color, texture and cinematic air quality that is truly able to transport the viewer into their story, completely and delightedly. Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor are perfectly cast as the misguided lovers and Salman Khan is finally playing a character who seems to read deep into his soul and bring out the sultry quality that he so naturally possesses. "Saawariya" is not so much a Bollywood film meant to tug at your heart strings and leave you pining for your own unrequited love, but more a mood piece which will leave you wishing you could live in the imaginary world of pure, kind street walkers, beautiful all-white Eid nights and women's clothes that put French couturiers to shame. It is, as cinema is meant to be at its very root, a world of complete and utter escapism.

The Kite Runner (2007)

This is truly one of those times when a film does great justice to a book!

[10/10 · 15 October 2007]

I recently was lucky enough to see "The Kite Runner" in a small theater, surrounded by seasoned movie-goers who knew how to enjoy a masterpiece of such sophistication. With all the controversy surrounding this film's central scene these days, I was expecting a piece both crude and violent. But the way Mr. Forster handled the delicate subject was touching and really, deeply moving. Even though the film's credits indicated China as the main location for the shoot, I could have sworn I was seeing Kabul throughout the scenes which are meant to be taking place in Afghanistan. The acting, by non-professionals as well as professional actors, is excellent and the casting is magnificent. So, this is a movie I would see again and again, because though it is undeniably sad in its subject, the masterful way it has been made awakens a whole new hope in modern cinema.