Movies must be either entertaining or enlightening. If you can mix both then hats off to you. Slumdog, tries to do both but not good enough. On entertainment aspect you have some heart-winning performances and exceptional direction but on enlightening front, the story draws attention of ugly face of India and leaves it there. I would rather prefer movies like Swades, Rang de Basanti, Lagaan which apart from focusing on problems, makes an attempt to give some sort of way out where as 'Slumdog..' not only shows India's ugly face but also in an offending manner!!
Its Indian media's dilemma whether to appreciate the movie which is recognised at global level or to criticise! But Indian media has chosen the safe route by backing this movie which is not a great movie at any day. The message is simple - We are not ready to take on the Hollywood!
This paragraph is dedicated to Mr.Rahman. Sorry, not to appreciate but to feel sorry for him. If you list all his albums, 'Slumdog..' must be listed at bottom five. But here you go, awards and nominations are showering on him for this movie. This is indigestible! In fact I can only laugh at it. But I am trying to digest this by thinking that this is tribute to all his other albums where he might have really deserved.
But before I conclude, I must admit, the subject, the direction and the narration of the movie is pretty good. In fact no harm in watching once. The only problem is the attention, the hype its getting is something which it doesn't deserve. Yes, our country have problems. Which country does not? But that doesn't mean someone just point fingers and laugh at problems. The scene where 'Real India..' is being compared for backstabbing and robbery is just unforgivable!
Since I neither came out the movie hall feeling good nor enlightened but I am still going with 6/10 for this movie because it does have some of the moments to watch out.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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2 comments:
I couldn't agree more! Some scenes in the movie were totally uncalled for; I felt they were introduced intentionally so that it creates a kind of controversy. Don't we Indians love controversies :)? Well, on the positive note, full marks to the concept and the direction. None of the individual performances were outstanding.
I really pity A.R. Rehman, if this contribution gets him a globe award and oscar nomination; In my opinion he should have already won a couple of Oscars!! It only goes to show that branding and international lobby is more important than raw talent.
Another problem i see from the indian perspective is that the scenes of atrocities and misery look amateurish. May be cos, we have grown to accept such things and when some non-indian shows it to us, we arent particularly thrilled to say the least
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