Movies That Touched My Heart: My Sister's Keeper

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Do a Google search on cancer survivors; the results are numerous. Do we check for the tragic stories? I don’t think so. It’s not that we don’t care; it’s just that we rightfully seek hope. But hope may not always take shape of how we know it to be. My Sister's Keeper is a verdict to that.

It’s amazing how we force ourselves to stay positive, be supportive and not lose hope - to motivate and help a loved one fight terminal illness. We need to get them to believe that it’s not the end of the road. No disputes – we should. However, sometimes we are so focused on keeping someone dear, with us that we forget to see the bigger picture. We take it for granted that the afflicted shares the same dream as ours. After all, who doesn't want to stay alive?

My Sister’s Keeper, an adaptation of the book by the same name by Jodi Picoult, relates the story of the Fitzgerald family and their journey through one of the most toughest of times - helping a member fight cancer. Director Nick Cassavetes has carefully sewn a bunch of moments together and wound them around a reel. The highlight is he has done the job without being preachy. Nick strikes the balance of capturing sorrow camouflaged in smiles - a rather difficult feat. This family drama adds a new dimension to the phrase - 'respect life'. 

I watched the movie wearing the cap of a sibling and a friend – I understood where the strength came from. I watched it with the heart of a mother –I could feel the turmoil, I sensed questions rising, I welled up and searched for strength. Most importantly, I understood that no mother can ever be fully understood.

If somebody told me this story before I watched the movie, I’d never imagine Cameron Diaz having anything to do in it. But, she is in it and she’s done a fabulous job. Every member of the cast and crew deserves a special applause. – yes, every one of them!

Be prepared to smile and cry. It’s intense but it carries a lot of warmth. If you haven’t already, watch My Sister’s Keeper.

To the makers and the cast – speechless and sincerely grateful for this truly brave attempt!

Don't Stop. Read More:

Movies that Touched My Heart: The Pursuit of Happyness

Saving Mr. Banks: A Tale of Two Promises

My Magic Beans

Maleficent: Evil Has Never Been This Good

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After a break of four years, a mother of six children decides to make a comeback as Maleficent - the legendary villain, who scared children all over the world. Wow!

When I first saw the promotions, I wondered why Disney chose to cast Angelina Jolie as Maleficent.  Not that I ever doubted her acting caliber – the lady can pull off any kind of role. But yes, I still did wonder. And so I watched the movie. Trust me, nobody else would have looked so perfect and at ease with those horns, heels and gown train.

The action sequences, the deep voice and definitely the looks – she fitted them all. Now, those of you who haven’t watched the movie would wonder why it would be necessary for Maleficent to look good. My answer would be to stop thinking about the image, which Grimm’s fairy tale or Disney’s 1959 cartoon, has carved into your brain and watch this movie, for it has so much more to offer.

I super liked the narrative methodology adopted for this movie – more so because it’s the villain’s point of view but not narrated by her. According to me, this aspect makes the story even more believable. Hats off to the Disney team! So what if the subject is old? They will always have something new to offer. With Maleficent, it’s like they have dived into the age old fairy tale, manicured the rough edges and filled in so many blanks that we never even bothered to notice. Linda Woolverton has done a magnificent work with the script. You get hooked on to the screen from the very first narrative script, “Let us tell an old story anew and see how well you know it.”

Maleficent is among the few villains who isn't related to the protagonist of the story. Her attire and form is very unique. In fact, she is probably the only villain who is termed as a fairy and not a witch. I love the way all these factors have been utilized to add more cream to the story.

Wiki says if Angelina refused the role, the producers probably wouldn't have made Maleficent. Oh my! I so completely agree with them. I wonder how she has deftly managed to appear calm and menacing at the same time. She looks drop dead gorgeous in this fairy tale; and not once, when the script demands it, does that virtue stop her from making your heart pound with fear. Jolie, I read, practiced telling tales to her children in different voices, before she froze on the voice she would give Maleficent. I am sure that’s among the least of the veteran’s home works for the role, because I am not exaggerating it one bit when I say that, she has nailed it!

If I haven’t read it wrong, one of the main reasons for Disney to cast Vivianne Jolie-Pitt, Angie's daughter, was because she would be the only one who wouldn't get scared of her despite her scary look for the movie. Having said that, I congratulate Angelina and Brad for training their daughter and a tight hug to the little one who made it through. Had it been my son, the darling would have strictly asked me to remove those horns and the bewitching gown; be it on the set, on screen or in the house.

It's hard to believe that this is Robert Stromberg's directorial debut. What an awesome job! I loved the amount of detailing that has gone into the movie. This is especially true when it comes to the raven, Diaval, Maleficent's sidekick. I was awed at the plumed wolf, horse and dragon. The land of the moors is a spectacular sight. We just end up wishing we had such wonderful creatures on earth.

In the entire movie, I frowned at King Stefan’s accent changing at least three times, if not more. It looked like he kept travelling around the world during the making of the movie, aiming at picking accents for his role, that he got confused which one he really liked. Also, according to me, in this version of the tale, King Stefan handing over Aurora to the fairies to bring her up until she turns 16, is not very convincing. Besides these, I enjoyed pretty much everything else.

The best part about this fantasy flick is that, though it attempts in telling a whole new version, it doesn't skip any key points - the wall of thorns, the dragon, the raven, etc. - everything’s there. All of it just has a different story to tell. Another aspect that keeps me vouching for Disney’s creations is that they re-image their own version of Grimm’s fairy tales, but they ensure they don’t kill the predecessor. The cartoon is still good and has enough of detailing that a cartoon demands. The movie has more detailing because adults need more of it. Even someone who is not very familiar with fairy tales, but enjoys animations, wouldn't need an SME while watching the movie.

All this and a whooping $700+ million collection worldwide – well, well, well; what a grand celebration!?!

Saving Mr. Banks: A Tale of Two Promises

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Here I was, hunting for the right picture that would go with the Walt Disney quote, which I planned on featuring as a Thought for the Day at office the other day; when I stumbled upon a slightly different looking image of his. 'Who was that I just saw?', I asked myself as I scrolled up struggling through the enormous number of Walt Disney images that were displayed on my computer screen. And there is was! Tom Hanks looking so much like Walt. The next moment my fingers impatiently typed out 'Tom Hanks as Walt Disney?" Yes, the question mark was in there too. Let's say I was thinking out loud online. In a split of a second, dear ol' Prof. Google told me that the movie was Saving Mr. Banks. Forgive my ignorance. But, I never knew that Mr. Disney's biography made to the theaters, end of last year. I am such a huge fan of Mr. Walt Disney, that I felt ashamed and thrilled at the same time. But, what was this name - Saving Mr. Banks?

That evening, the movie made it to my hard disk; and, in the silence of the night, I watched it. One of the best things I love about any story - be it a movie, a book, or a play - is when it has the power to connect with the title. The realization sends goose bumps all over me and leaves a lasting impression. Saving Mr. Banks, I must say, is an excellent title. Not only does it suit the content of the film, but it also radiates innocence, which has always been the very hallmark of Walt Disney's creations - très parfait!

Saving Mr. Banks is not exactly a biopic, like what I had assumed; it is about how the hallmark musical of the 60s, Mary Poppins, took sail. 22 years of perseverance to realize a dream and keep a promise is surely optimism at its best, isn't it? Well, the movie is not just about perseverance, it speaks about the complex relationship between Mr. Disney and Mrs Pamela.L.Travers, the author of the book called Mary Poppins; the adaptation of which resulted in the movie. Each of these main characters has been sketched out so well that my heart went out to both of them. That's one more story that taught me to let go, but with an added edge - it made me understand forgiveness for self-liberation.

I hear that a lot of facts have been twisted for the movie. I did feel slightly tricked when I read that. Thankfully that doesn't affect the quality of the movie. In its entirety, this motion picture has been supremely crafted. Moreover, you get witty dialogues, humorous expressions, a book review, a movie review, the making of a film and the haunting pasts of the main characters - all well-packed into 2 hours with not a moment of boredom. According to me, that is certainly a package worth a lot of applause.

I love so many moments in the movie - The Let's Go Fly a Kite scene is most certainly one of my dearest. The sequences between the characters Ralph and Mrs. Travers is also something that stirred me up positively. The list would be horribly incomplete if I missed writing about the scene shared by Walt and Pamela over tea and whisky in London - that scene is awfully warm and the performances are remarkable.

I loved everybody in this movie. They all looked and talked so much like what you imagine them to be. The costumes, the mannerisms - everything! From Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks to Michael Swinehart, who appears in just one scene, everybody deserves a pat for giving their best shot. The blend of humor and tension, all at the same time, is so perfectly executed. The film left me wishing for so many things - sitting and having long talks with Ralph, giving Pamela a tight bear hug, singing and dancing with the Sherman brothers and eating a share of those goodies in the rehearsal room. Saving Mr. Banks rekindled my wish to work for Walt Disney Productions - wish they flew down from Mumbai and took up some office space in Bangalore.

People who know me know that I am a die-hard fan of Mr. Walt Disney. The more I read about him, the more I like him - so much more beyond his works. Of course he had flaws, but who doesn't? According to me, he is an inspiring personality; I read that he was an amazing husband and a loving father. On the outward, in my opinion, I don't think I would have ever thought of Tom Hanks playing the role of Walt. The features just don't sync. But, the warmth and softness in the eyes, the dialogue delivery and the body language - trust Tom Hanks to blow life into the character at hand with finesse! Saving Mr. Banks has gotten me falling in love with Walt Disney and Tom Hanks all over again.  

"That's what we story tellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again."

- Walt Disney

Hope. That's what keeps us going, isn't it? Thank you, Walt Disney, for instilling all that hope, for giving so many options for parents to spend time with their children, and for reinforcing the courage to realize one's dreams. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

   

Revisiting Disney: Frozen

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'Frozen' - the name leaves you feeling all cold. When you watch the movie, you not only realize that the movie is christened well; you also grow in love with everything that's happening on the screen. What you see is all cold but what you feel is so much more. Walt Disney's Frozen, according to me, is one of the coolest animation feature films to have been made!

Frozen revolves around the lives of two royal sisters - Elsa and Anna. It tells the tale of the struggle princess Elsa goes through to keep a power that she has under control. The story reflects on how you end up messing up big time in your effort to hide and control something you fear. The after effect of such an effort from Elsa leaves an entire kingdom frozen. The rest of the plot deals with how Anna, a daring optimist, who has undying faith in her sister, sets out on an adventurous journey to free the kingdom from this wrath.

I have never felt or seen snow, except in pictures and movies. It's human to nourish a need to see the unseen. Whenever I have expressed this desire, I have heard from people who have seen it all, that the sight of snow is exciting only the first time. I am told that after the first sight of snow, it gets mundane unless you play with it. Whether you are like me or like my snow matter expert friends, Walt Disney's Frozen has everything that it takes to make you fall in love with the sight of snow, ice and frost. The visuals are extremely picturesque and delightful. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee definitely prove extremely gifted to have been able to conceptualize such awesome visuals.

Another aspect of the movie that I would give an A+ to is the music. It's been a long time since I have truly enjoyed songs in an animated movie. According to me, Frozen has songs that can match up with the kinds you have in The Little Mermaid or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ‘Let it go’ and ‘do you want to build a snow man’ are my personal favorites. Having said that, I must also mention, that the rest of the songs are no way fared poorly. They are all treat to your eyes and ears.

The characters that Disney comes up with always find their way effortlessly into my heart. They are all so cute! Among all others, in any given movie, there will be one that is rather outstanding. If it was Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Maximus in Tangled; it has got to be Olaf – the snow man in Frozen. He is not just cute but has been developed with so much uniqueness. Highly witty and awfully ambitious!

The climax left me spell bound! A Disney classic breaking out of its own tradition! I am extremely impressed that through Frozen, they have done away with the traditional concept of true love.

From my review so far, you would have gathered that I love Frozen for its strong story line, breathtaking graphics, beautiful music, adorable characters and brilliant climax. I have reserved the best for the last...

What I love the most about Frozen is its soul. The message that it imparts is amazing. It rings a bell that we all have some trait or the other which we hate/fear/deny. Traits that we have dismissed to be cursed ones. Frozen sets an example for us to believe in ourselves as a whole. When we accept our true self along with every bit of shortcoming and imperfection instilled in us, we can use it to our advantage and make it our greatest virtue.

To work wonders – just be yourself because you are worth it!

A Few Thoughts on Gabriele Muccino’s Seven Pounds

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Off late, I have been trying to write some humour for a personal project. That's when I realised how difficult a task that is! You write and rewrite in pursuit of making others laugh to the extent that, you fail laughing while you read your own write up. Here I was, thinking it would have been so much easier to make one cry; Seven Pounds taught me something different...

The story of Seven Pounds is about Ben Thomas - played by Will Smith - who is victim to a dreadful incident from his past, of which he is quite secretive about. Traumatised by that event, he sets out to seek redemption - he decides to transform the lives of seven deserving unknown people for the better. Another word about the story will be a sure spoiler for the ones yet to watch this movie.

Now for the main q – did I like it?



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I must be honest. It's been a good 12 hours after I have watched the movie and I am still trying to decide. Somehow in its entirety, the script failed to impress me, to engage me, to consume me. I felt that there was a deliberate effort to throw me into unhappiness – I didn’t feel getting pulled in naturally. I failed to cry or giggle with the characters. The opening sequence got me hooked, but I got off the hook a few moments into the movie. Please don't get the impression that the plot is not interesting. It is! It's just that there were a lot of things happening on screen and I was watching the movie – just watching it. I don't remember feeling as if I was a part of it. The whole movie is tied in to selfless charity. But, it fails to promote the art of giving. The giver, here, doesn't seem to be getting any relief from the act – that could be a reason. Another point that I noticed was the lack of at least a few spurts of comic relief. I believe it would have done the movie a lot of good. Another thought I had was that perhaps, it would have been more effective if the suspense of Ben's past was broken somewhere mid-way rather than at the end of the movie.

Like I mentioned earlier, I loved the opening sequence – it instantly hooks you onto the screen. I loved the narration bit which said, "In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine." The visual was also amazing. In my opinion, it complimented the monologue. Will Smith as Ben and Rosario Dawson as Emily Posa, have given exemplary performances. The makeup team needs special mention. People looked beautifully sick when they needed to. Nothing's overdone; they look weak - not shabby. There has been remarkable effort that has gone into the physique of these characters. For example, when all the jigsaw pieces of the drama finally found their place, I noticed how convincing and different Michael Ealy, who plays Ben's brother in the movie, looked in the few scenes that he appears at different points in time. And, oh yes, I really love the name of the movie. I am certain there has been quite a lot of thought that has gone into it!

Having said all this, getting back to the question of whether I liked Seven Pounds or not – I am neither in love with it nor am I in a state of dislike. It has a lot of pluses and minuses. However, the minuses can be subjective. I would definitely recommend that everybody sees it. I'd love to hear more points of view. I'd love to understand if I missed or overlooked anything in the movie that stopped me from connecting.

For all those of you who have seen it already - let us debate. For all those who haven’t, please do watch it and share your thoughts…

Erin Brockovich: Always Inspiring

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If you have had a bad day; if you belong to a clan who believe that there are just too many responsibilities to shoulder and nobody to help; if you think it’s best to just vanish into thin air – watch Erin Brockovich.

This feature film portrays the biography of an American legal clerk and environmental activist - Erin Brockovich. The movie captures her struggle with life. It is the story of a single mother of three with no great academic qualification and hence no job. The film takes us through her journey from the poor life she lived to the successful lady that she is now.

The ‘no-job-single-mother’ description probably gives you the image of a helpless domesticated woman who is uncertain of what to do. If that is the picture you have been sketching in your mind, then erase and start all over.

Erin is quite a unique character. She comes out bold. She dresses seductively and uses an array of foul language, which she is absolutely unapologetic about. However, she can more than surprise you too. She is the kind that grows on you. You realize that she is absolutely great with people, dedicated, hardworking, smart and zealous. Responsibilities don't choke her. In short, she is one hell of a woman! The movie is not just a tale portraying one’s battle with life. It portrays how a woman on a mission brings down a huge company to its knees.

On screen, Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich. There are no tight edges or loose ends. Take it from me – Roberts fits into the role perfectly. If it weren't a biopic, it would have been right to say that the character was chalked out for her. Erin Brockovich fetched Julia the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors' Guild Award and BAFTA for Best Actress. Quite well deserved!

The direction and editing, I believe, is brilliant. I like the crisp methodology adopted to give you a glimpse into Erin’s background. No flashbacks and no sad stories. Instead, they chose to capture it through an interview. What a brilliant thought!

The story follows a good flow and is a perfect balance of both Erin’s work and personal life. Steven Soderberg has been successful in bringing the right amount of both elements on screen. Julia has given an ace performance. I couldn't help noticing the repeated costumes that Erin wears, portraying her not-too-rich lifestyle. Albert Finney is amazing as Ed Masry. There is great onscreen chemistry between the both of them. The cast in totality have truly given soul to their characters. I particularly love the dialogues. There is profanity. Nevertheless, they do make you laugh. Kudos to the editorial team!

Speaking about dialogues, how can I miss this conference room scene? Julia’s dialogue delivery and the expression on each of their faces – perfect! Erin never gave scope for negotiation, did she?

I am sure everyone goes through moments when they disagree with their bosses. There would be instances in one's career when one thinks that the boss just didn't play it fair. 8 out of 10 people tend to take it out on everybody else except their boss. Therefore, we end up wishing we could be like Erin when we watch the scene where she yells at Ed. Also, I particularly like the way Erin handles the 'don't take it personal' advice, which again is a popular usage in the corporate world. Take a look!

Erin's dialogues in the scene when Ed and she hand over the signed documents to Mr. Potter is a personal favorite - it is totally wow and hilarious!

The climax scene has always succeeded in getting my eyes welled up. Julia does it so well. I am sure we don't even get to the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how happy and satisfied Erin, in real life, would have felt.

I am really fond of the subtle references that the movie makes - it's an advise to simply believe in yourself and your goodness to make it big. The confidence that builds when you love yourself is tremendous. I have lost count of how many times I have watched this movie. It continues to pep me up, soothe me down, impress and most importantly inspire me.

Movies that Touched My Heart: The Pursuit of Happyness

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Movie release: December, 2006
Aimed to watch the movie: From December, 2006
Aim accomplished: May 2013

I know that that is a long lag time with the technology that we have today. Better late than never, I suppose. The important thing is I watched it and I already saw it around 5 times now. That action should be verdict in itself of how I rate the movie. I see a lot of movies and enjoy many of them. However, there are a few which actually touch my heart. Gabriele Muccino’s Pursuit of Happyness definitely makes it to the list.

This motion picture is based on the life of salesman-turned-stockbroker Chris Gardner. It focuses on the phase when Gardner struggles with homelessness and battles with life to make ends meet. It captures his determination to make it big while sticking to the promise he had made to himself a very long time ago – to be a good father.

Will Smith takes me by surprise in The Pursuit of Happyness. Please don't get me wrong. He is a good actor. However, he is more often seen in action-oriented roles. The ease with which he has portrayed the life of Chris Gardner was a welcome surprise. It was interesting to note that I wasn't the only one who thought so. Wikipedia says that Chris Gardner himself (who also makes a special appearance in the movie) reportedly thought Smith, an actor best known for his performances in action movies, was miscast to play him. However, he said his daughter Jacintha 'set him straight' by saying, "If Smith can play Muhammad Ali, he can play you!" 

Will Smith gives true justice to the role of Chris Gardner. Every expression was subtle and absolutely ideal to the situation at hand, especially the one in the climax scene with the board of interviewers.

The movie is a perfect portrayal of a rather imperfect life. I loved the narrative style of the movie. Since this motion picture is inspired from a book, this style particularly deserves a star.

The inference to the phrase 'pursuit of happiness', from the Declaration of Independence was thought-provoking.

I liked the titles given at different phases of Chris's life - riding the bus, being stupid, running etc. I particularly enjoyed noticing that the phase titled 'being stupid' leaves you feeling helpless, rather than making you laugh at someone's stupidity. On the contrary, there are elements of comic relief infused in the movie. For instance, the moment  the narrator describes a phase of his life as 'running', we laugh for a brief moment although the scene is in no way funny. I felt it helped balance the viewer's emotions while keeping them glued to the screen. That is, in my opinion, brilliant direction and editing.

Moments engraved in my heart:

Being a parent myself, the basketball scene was an amazing take-away. Jaden Smith particularly did an amazing job there. A 5-year-old would certainly be confused with the way the advice is shared. But it's true that such advice would grow with him. A little mystery always helps!

Also, I second the abstract statement this feature film makes. Good and effective parenting is not about being with your child all the time. It is about spending quality time with them. You needn't be secretive every time about the struggles you are going through. It teaches them things that no text books ever can. It is a realization that children are intelligent beings.

The subway scene was such an innocent scene and yet it was so touching. Good parenting often demands a lot of imagination amidst stress and helplessness. Brilliant!

Like I mentioned before, Will Smith's expressions were totally amazing. My heart goes out to the climax scene. His expression when he is with the board of interviewers was absolutely perfect. I opted out from inserting that clip just to save the climax for any late Kates like me out there who may not have seen the movie yet.

Today, I salute Chris Gardner for the life he dared to live and I give this movie credit for that. My heartfelt applause to Gabriele Muccino for designing the movie so well. Cheers to the entire cast and crew!