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Gandhi (1982)
The story of a great man, the birth of a nation
'Gandhi' is a comprehensive biographical sketch of one of the greatest men of contemporary times, and certainly the greatest man in the history of India. It also dutifully covers almost all the major events of India's independence struggle from the rule of the British Empire. In spite of being an historical account, the movie is by no means dry or pedantic, and it covers a large span of years with perfect pacing, often being witty, moving, humorous, thought-provoking and sprinkled with large doses of Gandhiji's famous messages.
It is ironic that a Britisher would create such a moving and heartfelt portrayal, and it does hurt the credibility of the movie that every one is speaking in perfect English (even Gandhiji's famous last words are in English). Having said that, the movie is completely successful in exploring the life and character of Gandhiji, and in providing a faithful overview of the difficulties involved in the birth of India.
India's independence struggle was unique, and Gandhiji's idea of non-violent non co-operation and shaming the Britishers by attacking their good image and appealing to their sense of morality and honour was a master stroke. As a person, all of Gandhiji's admirable qualities are on full display here : he was a man of strong conviction, an iron will, a sharp intellect and complete dedication to the cause of a strong, independent India.
To be honest, the events portrayed in the movie are so far in the past that it is easy to debate about the importance of Gandhiji's non-violent movement in hindsight : India would probably have gained its independence sooner or later since the Britishers had suffered massive losses in the Second World War, but without Gandhiji, it is hard to guess whether would it have been more violent or less violent, and what values and principles we Indians as a nation would have inherited. It is also debatable how much of those values and principles that Gandhiji so strongly advocated have survived in the present time. All that said, it is certainly beyond debate that MK Gandhi was a great man, and his philosophy and his pivotal role in the birth of India will always be remembered.
The Leftovers (2014)
A feast of unpredictability with plenty of leftovers in ideas and themes
Without a doubt one of the most unpredictable series I have ever watched, The Leftovers over the course of its 28 episodes does plenty of ridiculous things, and goes to some really strange places, but there is no weirdness just for the sake of it, and through its dramatic set pieces and mind numbing realities, the series has a powerful message to say about the human psyche and how we deal with grief, loss, guilt and uncertainty.
The series begins with a supernatural event called the Departure, where 2% of the world population vanishes without a trace, but as the title of the series suggests, this is not a story about those who vanished, but those who were left behind. The Departure is an extraordinary event, and the entire series is an interesting thought experiment on how humanity would react to such an event, both at macro level and the individual level.
While there is an exploration on the religious, political, and cultural impact of the Departure, this is a character-centric series, and there is a greater emphasis on the psychological impact of the Departure on the minds of the principal characters. In particular, how an event like the Departure could act as a catalyst for the mental issues that are already present, be it guilt, purposelessness, anxiety, or the scars of traumatic events in the past, and it could give the licence to indulge in those faults and allow them to rule the mind, since the whole world is going crazy anyway. The series stays true to its characters, but this also sometimes makes it a difficult watch, since characters frequently make some extremely bad decisions, and it is very difficult to relate and empathize with them.
One of the most interesting things about the series is the narrative structure, with multiple supernatural-seeming plot threads with lots of ambiguities which are also intricately linked with the psyche of the characters, revealing a lot about their inner workings and dreams and fears. There is also an interesting commentary about the rise of faith and superstition, and the strength of religion in times of uncertainty.
All that said, the series is highly entertaining, often shocking with some supreme episodes that will elicit an involuntary 'Wow', highly thoughtful in the treatment of its characters, and in the end it will leave you with plenty of ideas to chew upon.
Favourite episodes - S01E03 (Two Boats and a Helicopter), S02E03 (Off Ramp), S03E08 (The Book of Nora).
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
A Sci-fi blockbuster epic with a smart plot but not so smart themes
It is rare to find a sequel that outshines the original in almost every way, and BR 2049 should be applauded for just achieving that feat. This is a visually stunning, narratively complex sequel which unfortunately inherits all the thematic weaknesses of the original and so falls a bit short in achieving the ultimate purpose of creating a SF movie, but still needs to be applauded for its ambition.
First the good bits : the set designs are unbelievably good and detailed, and it is clear that a lot of effort went in this imagining this future world in a logical and coherent fashion. The narrative is tight and complex and requires some attention on the part of the viewer to connect the dots. Some of the plot details are kept a little fuzzy, maybe intentionally, but it is still leaps and bounds better the original Blade Runner.
The core theme of BR has always been about asking what makes us humans, especially relevant in the future where we would have very smart and capable entities who can do things exactly (and sometimes much better) than humans, but they do not have the basic human rights. However, the replicants have exactly the same biological structure as humans, in other words, they are humans both from the inside and outside, but still they are not somehow regarded as humans?
This theme is much better explored if the entities are actually mechanically produced (such as androids) and have clear differences in their internal structure from humans. This would starkly differentiate them from humans, but still raise the thorny question of consciousness due to their abilities and intelligence. In BR, it is really hard for me to swallow that replicants are somehow not considered humans.
Mother! (2017)
The mother of all allegories goes slightly overboard, still creative and thought-provoking
One does not need any deep knowledge of Christian theology to see through the painfully obvious allegory of 'mother!'. As an allegory, it takes itself too seriously, so that every almost every action in the movie feels unnatural, and is not supposed to be taken on face-value but rather as a part of its metaphorical argument. This makes the movie highly creative and thought-provoking, but leaves no room for any realistic character development or plot. All the principal characters are also metaphors for specific qualities, so while their behaviors can seem one-note and jarring, they make perfect sense once you realize the underlying intent. As with any Aronofsky movie, this is not a cosy or comfort watch, and while there is an ominous undertone almost from the beginning, the movie explodes into a orgy of violence and destruction towards the end, albeit again with an allegorical intent.
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Mulholland Dr - A brilliant construction of an intangible reality
This is the kind of movie that gets better on every rewatch. The first time I watched this movie, I was left cold and puzzled, as almost the first three quarters of the movie just consists of weird sequences, all mesmerizing to watch and brilliantly created, but with little logic or plot, with the mood crazily jumping from pure horror to comedy to everything in between. To first-time watchers, I advise patience, as there is a method to the madness, and the last half-hour of the movie provides an answer to almost all the strangeness that went before it. (I should also point out that this is unlike most of David Lynch's other creative endeavours, which can be maddeningly surreal and logically unfulfilling).
On a rewatch though, one would be able to fully appreciate the brilliance of all the strangeness in the first three-quarters of the movie. There is a very strong rationale behind the weird sequences, as Lynch is committed to the construction of an intangible, irrational reality which nevertheless is intimately familiar to all of us, and which has its own set of rules governing its shape. Every little detail in this intangible reality has a specific meaning, and the way all this ties to the overall plot of the movie is nothing short of mind-blowing.
Lynch's script and direction is as usual, mesmerizing and entertaining, Naomi Watts gives an absolute masterclass in acting (in particular, the audition scene is probably the best acted scene that I have ever watched), Laura Harring is stunningly beautiful, and the background score is haunting and stirring and perfectly captures the mood of the movie. The story is ultimately a tragedy, and a cautionary message about the price that we pay for having dreams and then seeing them shattered.
A Few Good Men (1992)
A few great moments among all good men
A smart, snappy law drama dealing with the aftermath of an unfortunate murder at an army barracks caused by internal army disciplinary methods. A really distinguishing factor about this movie is that it really has no villains, yes, there is a murder but it is hard to blame anyone for it, and the movie paints all the involved parties in a sympathetic manner, raising a thorny moral issue about what should and should not be allowed in the name of discipline in an army on the frontline living under a constant life-threatening situation.
Several characters in the movie take completely different stances on this issue, and one can clearly see the line of reasoning, the personality and experiences of a character influencing his/her views. There is also a mystery related to the murder which is gradually revealed, some poignant moments involving the victim and the accused, and a number of sharp and intense court-room scenes as the lawyers spin complex arguments to obtain their desired outcomes. There are also some ruminations on how one should live : focusing on advancing one's career by picking the path of least resistance and being street-smart, or by having a code of integrity and honour, and strictly following it irrespective of the difficulties involved or setbacks caused to one's career.
The acting is good over the board, and inspite of featuring in only three scenes throughout the movie, Jack Nicholson steals the show with an intense performance, full of authority and menace.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
A tragic and melancholic, but beautiful and tender forbidden romance
In many ways, this is a very typical love story : a forbidden romance, bowing down to the rules and needs of the society, the resulting sorrow, ruining more lives in the process with betrayal, a desperate attempt to cling to traces of the romance, just leading to more heartbreak and an unfulfilling life. As can be inferred from the summary, this is a sad movie, but it is also beautifully shot, full of scenes with natural beauty and soothing calm, interspersed with moments of passion which nonetheless mellow out with gentle love and tender care as time passes and the characters grow older. What truly shines though is the brilliant acting performances, especially by Heath Ledger who truly sells a very conflicted and broken soul, torn between love, duty and fear.
Kono sekai no katasumi ni (2016)
A gentle and thoughtful slice-of-life, a moving character portrait, and a historical glimpse of Japan during World War II
There have been few anime movies which have not left me deeply moved, and this is no exception. Mixing cute anime characters and their straightforward lives (at least on the surface) with the chaos and trauma of the Second World War may seem like an oversimplification of the war and a cheap, melodramatic effort at invoking sadness and tears, but there is a depth to the characters and emotions in this movie, and the ultimate message of the movie is not just that war is devastating and destroys the lives of countless innocents, but also that life moves on in spite of all the carnage, and people change and discover new qualities and things about themselves, transforming them into different (perhaps better?) versions of themselves.
The movie follows our female protagonist Suzu through her childhood to early marriage to the tumultuous years of the War. Suzu is a lovable and cheerful protagonist, gentle and kind but also clumsy and forgetful, redeemed by her artistic talent and her perseverance, but there are hidden depths to her that are only partially revealed through some odd sequences in the first part of the movie, and come into the spotlight in the second part after her traumatic brush with the War. The animation is beautiful, and the attention to detail is superb, transporting the viewer effortlessly to rural Japan in the 1940s. The cultural quirks of this place and era are delightfully presented in the first half of the movie, during which it feels like a gentle slice-of-life movie. Once the War begins in earnest, we see the effect that it has on the ordinary citizens. While there are some traumatic sequences, the movie does not linger on them, and instead it focuses on how the characters handle the changes and come to terms with them, often questioning the futility of all the devastation (especially after Japan loses the War) but also forging new bonds among each other and finding hidden depths in themselves.
One stark criticism of the movie is that some important supporting characters are not properly introduced, and Suzu's own feelings and desires are not properly explored, so that some revelations later on feel artificial and we never really entirely understand Suzu's actions and her motivations. Apparently, an extended version of the movie is being prepared which I feel is definitely required to understand this story in its full details.
The Imitation Game (2014)
A truthful glimpse into the unique life of Alan Turing
The Imitation Game is a honest and truthful glimpse (or at least as truthful as a Hollywood movie can be) on the life and works of Alan Turing, one of the founders of modern Computer Science as we know it. Now to be sure, the greatest work that Turing did was formulating the theory of Turing machines and decidability, but since that work is not really exciting or dramatic enough, the movie focuses on his work on breaking the cryptographic Enigma code used by the Axis in the Second world war.
Now I was slightly disappointed during the first half of the movie, focusing on the usual melodrama involving unsocial and mis-understood geniuses, love interests, 'traumatic' childhood memories, uncooperative bureaucracy, unknown spies and double agents, etc., but Turing lived a unique and singular life, and the second half exemplifies this. As Turing understood so well, while breaking the Enigma code was a challenge, the even harder problem was what to do after it was broken, and how to use all the un-encrypted information strategically so that the Axis would remain blissfully ignorant of their vulnerability. The movie unfortunately does not dwell much on this exciting storyline, which could have provided a much more interesting and unique look at what was going on behind the scenes in the Second world war.
The final years of Turing's life were a tragedy, and fortunately, the movie does not shy away from these ugly details. We can only wonder at what discoveries Turing could have made if he had been allowed to work with freedom and support. But, be that as it may, Turing's legacy will continue to live on in the future, and for us mortals, the immortality of their works and ideas, their name is the greatest achievement that we can hope for.
El laberinto del fauno (2006)
Emotionally powerful and melancholic adult fairytale
This film has a bit of everything : fantastical creatures, horror and tension, historical slice- of-life (dealing with the aftermath of the Spanish Civil war in 1944), a fairy-tale like story competing for screen time with a grim military attack against rebellious guerillas, loathsome and sadistic characters, but also cute and inherently good characters, warm and fuzzy sequences full of love and emotion, but also extremely brutal and disturbing violence. But most importantly, this film has a lot of heart, and by the end you will feel intimately connected with its principal characters, and it will make you cry with its stirring and somewhat ambiguous climax.
This has been called an adult fairytale and there is a lot of ambiguity as to whether the magical and fantastical sequences are real or the imaginations of a scared and lonely child. There are clues towards both these possibilities, but I personally believe that thematically, it makes more sense that the fantasy sequences are just created by the mind of our child protagonist to cope with all the strangeness and brutality around her, and the ending really hits you even more powerfully with this assumption, as we grasp the true purpose of these imaginings and see how it helps her to achieve peace and happiness in a really grim situation.
The Dark Knight (2008)
A Masterclass in plotting and character growth
There are some things which always stun me on every rewatch of this masterclass : the plot complexity, the themes, and the unique philosophies of almost every major character which compels them to battle against each other, which in turn changes and transforms these characters as they struggle to pick up the pieces of their pride from the resulting chaos. To have some amazingly choreographed and really long and complex action sequences, and most importantly to have them not just for the sake of action and spectacle (not that this would be a bad thing), but use them to fuel character growth and show a clash of philosophies, a clash of egos is an amazing achievement.
This is one of those movies (Nolan's The Prestige is another example) where the underlying script is just so strong that other things such as the performance of the actors, the cinematography, the music, etc. do not really matter much. I do believe that Heath Ledger gave a really good performance as the Joker, but I also believe that the character itself was written in such a brilliant way that any competent actor would have done it justice. A mild criticism of the plot is the numerous coincidences and the hellishly complex schemes of the various characters being executed perfectly on every occasion, but the Joker remarks in the movie that he has no plan and he wildly improvises according to the situation. The Batman and the Joker almost perfectly anticipate each other's moves on every occasion, and this leads to a deadly and complex dance between the two which is mesmerizing to watch.
I will just say that this is pretty much the absolute pinnacle of super-hero movies, and I am pretty sure that we will never get another super-hero movie anywhere near as good as this one (especially considering the formulaic and childishly plotted super-hero movies being made nowadays).
The Fly (1986)
A very good body-horror movie
The Fly rests its excellence on two pillars : a great performance by Jeff Goldblum and stunning visual effects. The plot is a fairly straight-forward one of a scientific experiment gone terribly wrong, with a very slow reveal of the horrifying consequences. There is very quick ramp-up of the disturbing factor though, so much so that I was almost ready to close my eyes before the very disturbing final scene.
While the plot is a bit clichéd, the characters have very distinct personalities and are far from clichéd. All the three main actors give very good performances, aided by a clever script, but Jeff Goldblum's performance is particularly noteworthy as the eccentric scientist. It is notable that during his character's slow transformation into the fly, we see glimpses of fly-like behavior when he is still a normal human being, and then glimpses of the eccentric scientist even when he turns into a full-fledged monster. The special effects are very good (and gory), and there are some horrifying scenes which appear very realistic.
Split (2016)
Superb Acting by James McAvoy, but don't hold your breath for the twist
The only reason to watch this movie is to enjoy the amazing performance by James McAvoy, who is able to effectively and very convincingly portray wildly different characters almost effortlessly with minimal change in physical appearance and entirely through superb acting. One scene in particular has him cycling through three completely different personalities of his character at the drop of a hat, which is quite remarkable.
The twist at the end is so disappointing that it is almost non-existent, those who have not watched the movie Unbreakable won't even understand the twist. At least this movie will keep you entertained and is not as atrociously paced as most of M. Night Shymalan's movies.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Slow, very realistic, almost documentary-style adaptation with brilliant acting and music
This is a slow, beautifully acted western which is a very realistic and faithful adaptation of an actual historical event. To be honest, it is a bit difficult to relate to the principal characters and the themes are very specific to the era which are not much applicable today. Glorification of criminals (especially charismatic gun- slinging cowboys) is not something that is relevant today, and the movie only touches on this theme towards the very end.
The movie is beautifully shot, the background music is stirring and perfectly matches the events, the ensemble cast is brilliant and both Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck give good performances. Brad Pitt generally only plays one type of character-the charismatic, confident, commanding leader-and Jesse James perfectly matches that archetype, although I think that Pitt's efforts to show how broken Jesse is inside do not quite hit the mark and are not very effective. Further, every other character is terrified of Jesse but we do not actually see him doing much, which is slightly puzzling. Casey Affleck is also good, but the jump from Robert Ford adoring Jesse James to Robert Ford suddenly deciding to assassinate Jesse at any cost is a bit abrupt and not very convincing.
The assassination scene itself is very strange, in fact Jesse's entire behavior leading to the assassination scene is very puzzling, almost as if he had already given up on his life which does not quite match his character. Motivations are not effectively conveyed, and one has to carefully consider the events to infer them. But perhaps that is intentional, as the focus of the movie seems to be just relate the facts and events in an almost documentary-style. The movie is really long and depicts in great detail a number of extraneous events involving other members of the James gang which are only tangentially related to the central narrative. In spite of all the complaints though, I was utterly captivated throughout its entire length, and the acting and music and the gravitas of the characters makes up for all the other shortcomings.