Movies That Touched My Heart: My Sister's Keeper

Image courtesy: movmag.com

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

Saving Mr. Banks: A Tale of Two Promises

Courtesy: 4.bp.blogspot.com/google

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.

   

Wishing Anjali Menon Success Greater Than Bangalore Days...

Courtesy: muyals.com

Here I am trying to write about Anjali Menon’s latest flick, Bangalore Days; thinking what do I write? What is there that nobody knows? In fact, owing to the very many excuses that my life is tagged to at present, I am probably among the last of the malayalee crowd to have seen the movie. There are people who have called me, singing in their praises and enquiring why I haven’t written about it yet. And most of them were shocked to realize that I hadn’t even watched it.

Every dog has a day and last weekend my bone came by in the form of a movie ticket to watch the much celebrated Bangalore Days. I must say, the first impression was a ‘whoa!’ blended with some amount of shame. I am settled in Bangalore and I was surprised to notice that majority in the hall comprised of the local Kannada crowd. I think that explains both of the above expressions.

Now, coming back to what do I write; I think I’ll start with the director of the movie – Ms. Anjali Menon…

If somebody were to ask me if I knew who Ms. Anjali Menon was , I’d say, “Well, although I haven’t met her and do not know her personally, I know her through her movies and her interviews. And from what I have seen and heard of her, I definitely wish I knew her personally, because that is how warm she comes out to be.”

Anjali (if I may call you by your first name) – this one comes as a heart-felt opinion of your Bangalore Days. Ideally, I’d prefer doing this over a coffee table with propped up cushions; but since that’s not possible, I’m using my blog.

Honestly, Bangalore Days made me laugh and giggle. I did feel light and nice after seeing the movie. Even though I am part of a world of close-knit cousins, I got envious of the trio in your movie. The on-screen chemistry between them is awesome. In an interview with manorama online, I read about how you got Nazria, Dulqar and Nivin to spend time with each other long before the filming of the movie. That homework did really pay off. I did feel that Aju and Kuttan are the kind of brothers that any girl would be lucky to have. I am also glad that you chose portraying cousins, because there is no set expectation from cousins. It is a relationship that needs nurturing and I am aware that not everybody is lucky to have a strong cousin network.

Now let me tell you what I what I loved about the movie. Fahad has been on my fav list ever since he made a come back in Kerala Café. I am sure he has pulled off Shivdas according to your expectations. It was great to see Nitya Menen on screen after quite a while now. She is such a cool breeze. I loved Sarah too, especially her voice. It was light and silky and yet resonant enough for a radio jockey. I also liked the way you used a radio jockey to introduce Bangalore city and occasionally to propel the movie forward. According to me, that was a lovely idea and it blends well with Bangalore city. Dulqar, oh my God, is gifted with such a fantastic screen presence. Hope it remains that way. Although, I am almost partial towards Fahad, my eyes found its way to Dulqar in combination scenes! I firmly believe that my date also shares the same opinion. Although his eyes were on me throughout the movie, Dulqar's voice would make his head turn towards the screen. Yes, my two-year-old is a great Dulqar fan. I also heard that the entire bike idea was a change in the script. You would be pleased to hear that those bikes fetched Dulqar a huge amount of brownie points from my little boy. Needless to say, I am eternally grateful for those bikes.

I enjoy movies and when I come out happy, I feel nice. On our drive back home, there were a couple of Kuttan's expressions that made my friends and I to laugh out loud. We also talked about how ridiculous it was for people to think that this movie has anything to do with feminism.

Though we had conversations about the movie, I noticed however, that it didn't last long.

After the initial euphoria, when my head began gathering points to write out a review, I began catching certain loose ends that I wished were tied out. Now, I’m really missing the coffee table and the welcome distraction a few bites of goodies can offer…

I'd start by doing a character study…

Divya (Kunju), in my understanding is basically a nice girl personality. She is somebody who would churn it out too many times in her head before she hurts anyone. I can understand giving in to the idea of marriage; feeling excited about it clubbed with the fact that she’ll be in Bangalore, at regular intervals. However, with the limited outspokenness that she has, I wonder why she didn't make it clear that she wants to study post marriage, especially when she had the opportunity when she met Shivdas for the first time. OK, we’ll let that pass. They get married and she is dealing with someone who doesn't even bother to smile at her as much as he did when they first met – no conversations, no physical bonding; he doesn't even want her to cook for him or any of those chores for that matter. Acceptable. But, no silent tears? No effort from her end to talk this out? I fail to understand why she waited for him to leave the city, to hang out with her cousins. I gather, a practical approach would be that she would have kept seeking permission which gradually would have matured into announcements that she would be going out. Correct me if I am wrong; but in my opinion, she was intended to be portrayed as realistic but ends up being far too idealistic.

Kuttan, I perceive, is a typical character. Even though, the looks, talks, mind works and mannerisms suit the likes of a 10^th standard kid, I accept that. There are people like that. I have met such people and know such people. Even if I wouldn't have, the world is full of different kinds of people. It’s fine to define a typical character. But, the antakshari part was way too much for me to gulp! No man of that age would speak of that as an achievement. Sarcasm or even a casual statement would have sufficed to give it a realistic tone, don’t you feel?

I am glad how things turned out eventually for Shivdas and Divya. But what kind of overwhelming moment would have pushed a guy like him towards the idea of getting into an arranged marriage? I would have understood a rebound love affair or an eventuality as a result of a one night stand - but an arranged marriage? I am not of the opinion that only girls end up getting pushed by the family. But in Shiva’s case, he’s not even living with his parents. They are not even anywhere in his near vicinity. Clubbed with that fact, a guy with his approach to life, would do great many things to ward off such an event, don’t you think? So eventually, even if things ended up this way, don’t you feel you owed the script a flash back of some form; if not initially, at least when talks of a break up were on the roll?

It was on purpose that I chose not to highlight Meenakshi. I don't know how many air hostesses would remember a passenger that had taken a flight in the past. The scenes around her, according to me, made absolutely no sense. If it were for the comedy in the flight, a cameo appearance was all that was required.

Also, why would a film maker like you, who believes in coming up with a solid story line, want to depend on clichés? Last minute realizations of the heart… an outspoken lady who refuses to take hints – the proposal has to come out in black and white. The usual mother hurdle; wouldn't the guy's complexes suffice? The accident during the race is another. I don’t intent telling that these are things that can’t happen. It’s all about moving from the good to the great movie cadre.

Anjali, my idea is not to spoil the party. I heard in one of your interviews about your dream to get to the zone of a great film maker. You certainly have great potential and as far as I understand, you are a positive human being - the right combination that the Malayalam film industry needs today. My hope is that you won’t fall prey into the comfort zone that hype creates. Challenge yourself to manicure and outdo each new movie from the previous ones.

I noticed the massive marketing that was done for Bangalore Days. It’s highly appreciative. My dream for you is for your films to gain popularity across states and oceans on the sheer strength of a flawless script, beautifully developed characters and fantastic performances. A point in your career when you device innovative marketing styles simply to give your movie wings.

As a closing note, if anything what I have written has made you picture me like an annoying critic with an evil caricatured face; smile, think of a light moment and re-read it like how Kuttan reads his father’s letter the second time.

Cheers and all the best!

Also Read:

Reminders from Nirupama Rajeev

A Few Thoughts on Gabriele Muccino’s Seven Pounds

Mammootty in 'Best Actor' : A Critical Casting Analysis

Rewinding to April 18, 1984

Courtesy: youtube.com

A short story written by a friend, set me smiling, taking me back to those days of childhood bliss. April 18! The very name set me on a pleasant walk down memory lane...

It was a weekday afternoon in Dubai. I was probably 6 or 7 years of age, back then. The lad, clad in the tight shirt and bell bottom pants whom we children called cassette uncle, was at the doorstep handing out a cassette with great confidence.

"Chechy, it is Balendran Menon's", he advertised to mummy.

The look on his face told me instantly that mummy would surely rent out that one. I still remember mummy's face brighten up on reading the title written out bold across the white sticker on the tape.

"Oh! It's April 18. Heard of this one. Is it good?", asked Amma maintaining her poise.

"It's a hit!", he exclaimed.

Money out. Cassette in. Business done. Cassette uncle gone. Door shut.

Our VCR was still new and playing cassettes at home was a novel idea. An excited me asked, "Shall we watch it Amma?"

The request was declined. My mother retired for her afternoon nap after having declared that we would watch it during dinner. That verdict meant that the movie should be a good one. The movies tagged as good ones would be previewed only with the whole family in sitting. The ones that weren't a sure shot had chances of going through a preview of sorts. The pretext that flew in the air at such instances were that, the brief screening was to understand the cast and crew, etc.

However, that afternoon I decided to take a chance. Having sneaked into the bedroom to make sure my mother was asleep, I loaded the VCR with the cassette. For the benefit of the new gen, cassettes had to be re-winded so that you could watch a flick from the beginning. But since childhood adventures had time constraints, I simply opted to play it. I saw a vertical white sari and a guy (I presumed he would be the hero) sitting on the floor tugging at it, saying, "Ninte oru samayam". Since he didn't look familiar, my adventurous spirit fizzed out. The cassette went back into its cover and I probably opted for the afternoon nap.

Over tea, mummy shot out the good news about the movie we got lucky with. I still don't know how she did it with such calm. "Oh then we'll say our prayers earlier than the usual time and watch it during dinner.", declared daddy. Now it got exciting again. Something to watch during dinner time - something other than the boring 10 'o' clock news.

Prayer time - The cassette was set to rewind while we prayed. I could hardly pray. My ears were tuned, waiting for the feeble 'tak' sound that the machine would give out indicating that the cassette was done rewinding. And in my opinion, there was an ocean of prayers yet to be chanted. And then, daddy had to shower - such a long way to go...

Finally, after what seemed to me like an eternity, it happened! The play button was given command...

Daddy and mummy giggled and laughed. They commented. They agreed. They disagreed. And me? I mimicked them - I didn't understand much whatever it was that was happening on screen. I liked a dance though and swore I'd perform that on stage once, with the same costume. The movie should have been a good one because mummy and daddy seemed to like it. A few hours later, an uncle and aunty hugged on screen and something got written across their face. The movie had ended - thank God I understood that much! "Very nice movie.", said mummy; and daddy nodded in agreement. I also agreed, completely in awe of my parents - God! They know everything. They know a good movie from a bad one. Now that they said it, I was sure that the one we just saw was a good one.

I don't remember what happened of cassette uncle and I don't know how this cassette got stranded at home. But, I do know that I got habitual of seeing this movie time and again. Gradually, I realized that it was indeed a feel good movie. I learned that it wasn't Balendran Menon's movie, but Balachandran Menon's movie. I learned the dance and the song. I knew all the dialogues by heart - scene by scene. I even wished I was playing the role of Shobana. Never saw the movie after I left Dubai in 1993.

Watched the movie on YouTube again this week. Here I was watching this flick 30 years later, giving out each and every one of those dialogues - scene by scene - as and when they appeared on screen. The diction, to my surprise, was strikingly in sync with that of the actors. Loved the experience!

Today, I understand that the movie is indeed a good one. Simple story line and neat performances.

April 18 narrates the tale of Sub Inspector Ravikumar Pillai, played by Balachandran Menon himself. The film balances out the personal and professional life of this policeman. It's all simple and realistic in this one - no strain.

This movie debuted a 13 and half year old girl to play the role of the SI's wife - Shobana. And what an impressive performance it was for a 13 year old! Another actor worth mentioning is Unni Mary as Rajamma. I admit that I haven't seen all of the movies she's acted in, but, from the few that I have seen I think this was a solid performance - a typical Christian house wife of the times. Like I said before, each and every actor has done justice to their role. Whether it was Adoor Bhasi, Venu Nagavalli, Bharath Gopi, Adoor Bhavani, Sukumari or even the junior artists - I wouldn't imagine anybody else in the roles they played.

By now, I am hoping you would have understood that the movie is a personal favorite for no phenomenal reason. But as I write this post, my mind does ponder on whether I want to mark any part of the movie as a favorite scene...

As a child I didn't understand anything more than an uncle addressing his wife as kutta... kutto... and I really liked the feel of it.

As a teenager, I thought I understood all of it. The term navamukulangal, often came to my mind like a flash card and set me giggling whenever I attempted writing out a speech, back in those days. I refused to believe that it was Unni Mary who played Rajamma because I didn't like Unni Mary but I liked Rajamma. I completely agreed when she tells her husband, "Penungalkkum oru vela vendayo?" I loved the scenes where Ravikumar teases his wife, reprimands a child at the police station and felt wow when he resigns from his duties. Whenever the air conditioner was switched on, I even tried sniffing the air to see if it does have a stink.

As an adult, I understand that I hardly understood anything in my teens. The final court scene stole my heart. When Ravikumar says, "Separate us.", I felt touched, because I knew what he meant and the explanation he gives didn't just justify my thoughts but was extremely heartfelt.

The beauty of April 18 is that it doesn't show a flawless marriage at any point and yet we vouch for them as a couple. 


Priyappetta Shri. Balachandran Menon-nu Oru Thuranna Kathu - one of the short stories by Mr.Mahesh Ravi in his recent collection Ethir Disha was what set all these memories rolling. Thank you Mahesh Ravi for bringing in so much of nostalgia...

Also Read:

Movies That Touched My Heart: Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

Ammukutty – A Character Study

Movies that Touched My Heart: the Pursuit of Happyness

Get High with Idukki Gold

Courtesy: www.kerala9.com

A story depicting the lives of 5 men. A movie crafted out of that story is expected to strike a chord among the men folk. While it does that, if it doesn't shirk the women crowd, it should be tactfully made, isn't it? I watched this feature film on a bad day; it left me smiling and spirited enough to embrace the rest of the day.

Idukki Gold makes you laugh out loud, want to meet this gang that has no name, drive down to Idukki, get in touch with your old buddies and revisit your school days. There are no twists or turns in this one. The movie takes a natural flow. Lots of memories and moments set in picturesque frames sewn together beautifully with dialogues that are silly fun - that's Idukki Gold for you!

This motion picture depicts the lives of 5 great school friends - Michael, Madan, Antony, Ravi and Raman. The frames keep switching between their school days and present lives. The film begins with a middle aged Micahel trying to get in touch with his school buddies. A reunion of sorts - the story is as simple as that. I couldn't help but notice, that the reunion was not over done - its very male and rightfully so.

Like I cited before, the central characters are five men; they are five extremely different characters. The actors selected to play these roles are really appreciative. In my opinion, all five of them have done ample lot of justice to their character. I liked Maniyanpilla Raju as Madan the most. There was something unique about the way he delivered this role as compared to many others he has done during his acting tenure.

The scenic beauty that's captured on camera is remarkably fascinating. I felt Idukki should be my next holiday destination. Another breath taking frame was enroute Alleppey - extremely pleasant! I liked the different chapters the movie was subdivided into. 'Plastic Nirodhikannam' is a personal favorite. What kept me glued to the movie, however, were the dialogues - simple and witty.

Talking about dialogues, the one that I'd love to quote is the last dialogue delivered by Michael (played by Pratap Pothen). He says, "It's not about drugs, it's about friends." And that is so true! You can replace the drugs with just about anything - the batre dabba tea, the ice stick lollies, the forbidden mangoes, the bread masala that we had that rainy day, etc. I am sure most of us would have, at some point in time, made a statement on the lines of, "I've never tasted ____ better than the one we had then." Have you ever tried guessing the reason? The special ingredient was never in that plate - it was around the table! 

Usually, 'those were the days' are days we refer to when we recount our college or school days. Those days are episodes of our life that offer a great source of respite once we enter the rat race. On a tired day, take two minutes to close your eyes and mentally rewind those moments. I bet, you'll catch yourself laughing, or at least beaming and sighing with pleasure. Of late, meeting old friends has more or less become a virtual enjoyment. Some are gifted with a little more than that. Whether one finds it practical or not to meet old buddies, it is definitely something that everyone looks forward to. Meeting old friends may not be the highest of your priorities. But if and when you are fortunate enough for any such event, it leaves you feeling so much refreshed and mighty young.

A simple movie fulfills simple expectations. Watch Idukki Gold simply to feel light, to unwind, to get nostalgic, to walk down memory lane and recollect those innocent pranks and carefree days!

Also Read:

Mumbai Police: Superb Plot and Stunning Performances
Mammootty in 'Best Actor': A Critical Casting Analysis

Salt n Pepper: Return of the Golden Era?

How Old Are You: Inspiring

Courtesy: nowrunning.com

Manju Warrier back on screen, director Roshan Andrews, writers Sanjay and Bobby – all this united with the teasers and trailers of the movie were reasons enough for me to book tickets for How Old Are You. I had my fingers crossed hoping that the movie wouldn't be a lazy attempt with the makers simply trusting the movie would do well since it was launching Manju back after 14 years. Like always, I entered the cinema hall hoping for the best.

Honestly, I was disappointed with the first half. Everybody was doing their part well but something was amiss. It lacked the ability to get me hooked to the movie. I was just watching. In my opinion, it should have focused on Nirupama's (enacted by Manju) life, her chores, her thoughts etc., rather than the careless attitude of government officers in general.

The second half, however, took me by surprise. It was a brilliant piece of work which dramatically changed my opinion about the movie. I smiled, I sobbed, I got excited - I understood Nirupama Rajeev.

Nirupama, a UD clerk at the Revenue Department, is a wife and a mother who leads a very normal life; a life as per the standards set by our society. There is a change in the mundane routine of Nirupama's life after the President of India visits her teenage daughter’s school. Her life takes a different route when her husband decides to migrate to Ireland with their daughter - leaving her behind.

Manju Warrier has given a scintillating performance as Nirupama Rajeev. I read that the story was not written with her in mind. I am glad however, that the movie finally was ultimately meant for her. She did a fabulous job. The slow transition from the bored Nirupama who simply got herself adapted to the circumstances that she is in to the high spirited lady that we see in the climax - wonderful performance!

Saying that, I am glad I don't have to review this movie saying, go watch it just for Manju. The movie is backed with good performances by all the other artists, especially Kunjacko Boban. During his second innings in the film industry, he has been quite good with the movies he chooses. He has also proved that he can successfully carry a movie on his shoulders. During this phase of his career, I am amazed that he took up the role of Rajeev Narayanan. After all, How Old Are You is a woman oriented movie. Kunjacko has delivered the role of a more or less chauvinist personality with great finesse. The balance he brings about is very appreciative. Rajeev Narayanan speaks volumes to the men of our society. He isn’t a complete chauvinist. He is an example that you don’t have to always be a chauvinist in the true sense to be a negative influence on the woman in your life.

Another aspect I liked about the movie is that it is not sex-biased. There are so many male characters in the movie that are instrumental towards Nirupama’s transition.

How Old Are You portrays beautifully how things fall in place once you get involved in something you like – something that is worthy of you. Age should be the last thing you should be bothered about when you get an opportunity to do something you believe you can.

Like I said before, the first half may be dull but thankfully, the cinema ends on a highly inspiring note. Go watch it!

You may also be interested in: Reminders from Nirupama Rajeev

Revisiting Disney: Frozen

Courtesy: justjared.com

'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!

Mammootty in a Comic Role

Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org/

Once they became established actors, Malayalam movies for a long time, were termed as either Mammootty's movies or those of Mohanlal's. They, undoubtedly, have had quite a tenure in the Malayalam film industry. "Mohanlal's a versatile and natural actor... Mammootty can't do comedy." are among the zillion comments that I have heard in my growing up phase.

I remember that it was more than a mere oft repeated statement - it was a belief. This mental verdict also discussed that it was Mamootty's sophisticated looks that failed him when it came to comedy. I tell this with conviction because when I watched Pranjiettan and the Saint, I caught myself commenting that Mammooty has improved so much - he's done great comedy.

Was that actually true? Was Mammooty really bad at comedy all along?

In his interview with Johnny Lukos (Manorama News), he mentioned that he was known for mimicry and stuff in college and that this impression about him is a by product of the fact that in most of his earlier films itself he had family, kids, etc. Probably...

For fun sake, I took a peek to check if Pranjiettan was indeed his only comedy that I ever enjoyed. My mental exercise gave me quite a few movies which I thoroughly enjoyed. Since this isn't a research attempt, I did not dig in more than I had to. So, here's discussing a few of Mammootty's comic appearances which I have found hilarious...

1. Film: Nandi Veendum Varika
    Year: 1986
    Director: P.G Vishwambaran   Character: Mohandas (A parallel college lecturer turned Sub Inspector of Police)
I couldn't find how this film fared at the box office, which probably is in itself an evidence to the fact that it didn't do all that well. But, his performance is undoubtedly excellent. I have memories of this movie giving me ample to laugh when I was young. I watched it again recently to recheck. Mammooty's subtle expressions did its magic...

2. Film: Kottayam Kunjachan
    Year: 1990
    Director: T.S Suresh Babu   Character: Title Role (A thug who strives to live a good life)

Kunjachan has made me laugh when I was 13 and he makes me laugh each time I see the movie. His dialogue delivery, mannerisms and even fighting techniques in this movie are hilarious!

3. Film: Rajamanikyam
    Year: 2005
    Director: Anwar Rasheed   Character: Bellary Raja (an illiterate but extremely rich and gaudy business man)

This movie is extremely stereotype and is absolutely predictable. If it grossed a good 27 crore, the main contributing factor would be the witty dialogues and Mammooty's performance. Bellary Raja, in my opinion, would have fit Mohanlal effortlessly. However, I do believe that the profit the movie made owed a lot to the fact that the crowd judged it as an exemplary performance solely because it came from Mamootty.

4. Film: Loudspeaker
    Year: 2009
    Director: Jayaraj   Character: Philippose aka Mike (an extremely loud simpleton with a splendid sense of       humor)

This movie has barely few instances of comedy owing to situations. In my opinion, Philippose aka Mike, is not just the backbone of the movie; he is what makes you smile and chuckle. He makes you want to believe in the simple things life brings your way.

5. Film: Pranjiettan and the Saint
    Year: 2010
    Director: Ranjith
   Character: C.K Francis aka Aripranji (a successful buisness man based in Thrissur)

I'd like to wind up my post with my personal favourite. Out of all the Mammootty starrer comedies that I have seen, the one that I have loved the most so far is Aripranji. I love the way Mammootty has balanced out the dignity of a high class business man and at the same time portraying all those insecurities he has within him. Love the expressions - phenomenal performance!

Neither am I part of anybody's fan club nor am I biased about either Mammootty or Mohanlal. I am of the opinion that both of these superstars have had their share of successes and failures. This post is simply a self reminder that one may never want to judge a book by its cover... 

Movies That Touched My Heart: Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

Courtesy: youtube.com

I was 10 when I first watched this movie - I hated Mohanlal, Shari, Thilakan and the lady who played the role of Thilakan's wife. I thought Mohanlal was a man with filthy thoughts. I didn't understand how Shari could ever like this man with dirty thoughts. I was scared of Thilakan and didn't like the looks of the lady who played his wife.

I remember this thought was so strong that I never ever wanted to see the movie again. However, as fate would have it, at some point in my teens I was forced to watch this movie again as I had nothing else to do. At that age, I was confused why I was taking a liking towards the movie. I had hated it once and ideally I should be hating it again.

As an adult I keep making opportunities to see this lovely movie over and over again. It's like a refreshing breath of fresh air. The background score of the movie is one of the most romantic notes I have ever heard. Simply love it. What a remarkable work from music director Johnson!

The characters are sketched so well that I fall short of words to describe the perfection. It is much beyond excellence. The movie is an adaptation of the K.K Sudhakaran's novel Namukku Gramangalil Chennu Raparkkam. I haven't read the book but the adaptation is extremely beautiful.

Romance lingers in each and every scene of this movie. I am sure everybody would agree that there is romance even in the title - Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal! (let us go dwell in the vineyards). The dialogues are awesome. The Song of Songs from the Bible has been used magnificiently - it's brilliant!

This cinema narrates the story of Solomon who falls in love with the girl next door - Sofia. This will be among those very few tales where viewers will neither seek an explanation on why Sofia gets noticed by Solomon from the very first time he sees her, nor would they simply dismiss it off as the unexplained phenomena of love at first sight.

Solomon is the ideal man a woman would fall in love with. But the beauty is that scene after scene he surprises you. Mohanlal has blown so much life into the character that you won't, for even a second, term Solomon to be someone you would only find in books. He is ideal and at the same time appears extremely realistic. I am not sure if all guys would want a lady like Sofia in their life. But I would definitely vouch that all women should be like her. No matter what circumstances you are in, I have always believed that women should be cautious, strong, bold and extremely courageous.

The story has such a natural flow. It gives you glimpses on how dramatic real life events can turn out when you have your mind set to achieve something. Each time you feel you've crossed a hurdle you realise you are next to a bigger one. And finally when you cross them all, there may still be loose ends which you can tie up after a period of time. But, you have peace in your eyes and soul that you have done the right thing. I am so glad that the climax is the way it is - no forced tragedy here - almost a trend that was followed in the 80s.

Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is backed by a powerful cast. Each and everyone of them have done a good job. But it would be unfair without a few special mentions. Honestly, I have never quite preferred Mohanlal for a Christian character, but he is so perfect as Solomon that I wouldn't picture anybody else playing the role. Paul Pailokkaran (Sofia's stepfather) is a disgusting character. Somebody you would dread having even as an occasional visitor - leave alone family member. That's exactly what Thilakan makes you feel. When you see both of their performances you know exactly why they are held with so much of esteem. Sofia's role demands a lot of subtle expressions. I love the way Shari has played Sofia - she has done an excellent job! And oh yes! I did come to realise why the lady who played Thilakan's wife looked the way she did in the movie.

This movie from the 80s can make you smile, cry, giggle and leave you feeling totally awe even today - no matter which generation you belong to. Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal is a great example why P. Padmarajan is still alive in our memories even after 23 years of his demise; it explains why he is considered a master at his art. My salutations to this maestro of Malayalam cinema!

A Few Thoughts on Gabriele Muccino’s Seven Pounds

Courtesy: legacyofathousandsuns.com

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?



Courtesy: superiorpics.com

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…