Dhobi Ghat: the journey?

The first ‘wow’ factor of this story is the depiction of today’s India by Kiran Rao and I fail to recollect any other director (story-teller) doing it as splendid as she did. Its either been the king size millionaires such as KJo’s Sam in ‘KANK’ or the poverty of Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog millionaire’. India is of the haves and have-nots and the whole spectrum in between, and Kiran Rao covers this Indian demographics brilliantly representing Munna from Dhobi Ghat to the investment banker Shai from New York.

The story is of Mumbai as much as its people, which has become home for millions born outside of the state; the lucrative charm and buzz the city drapes; a city that allures thousands each day to fulfill their needs and dreams - be it the satiating dose of daily bread and butter or being an actor. Mumbai is the stage and its people are the actors - they do their part of daily chores be it washing by day and rat-killing by night. Some listen to their hearts and metamorphose those feelings onto a canvas while some visit Mumbai for fresh perspectives. 

Then we have Yasmin, who is fated to make Mumbai a part of her life even without her conscious independent decision. She makes the place her home being married to a guy living here. She is my favorite in the movie - the demeanor of a beautiful middle class girl who makes conscious attempts to keep her happy through cab drives by the marine drive or (window) shopping for dazzling bangles; making excuses for not participating in the animal wrath of Bakri Id or cooking a delicious meal hoping her non-responsive husband would enjoy it. Beyond all these attributes her fondness for her brother makes her more endearing as she decides to share her life with him over videotapes. Her enterprising behavior to start man handling a video cam and shooting is incredibly applaudable!

Then there is Munna (Zohaib). He’s such a beautiful boy (I probably like him more because he is Smita Patil’s son :) ) and the only one who probably gives the audiences a few laughs through his coy love-smitten gestures or parody of his love-situations. 

The story covers part of the lives of Arun (the painter), Shai, Munna and Yasmin and how they intertwine with one another. At first, I am little thrown off with Shai being “into” Arun as a result of one night? Kiran Rao didn’t quite connect to me on that - I mean it takes a little time to be into someone right? Or I totally missed the part where Shai had followed Arun’s artistic life earlier on and so was “into” him?

All in all, this movie is extraordinary with its ordinary pieces. If you are looking for a great laugh, entertainment, purpose, accomplishment, happily-ever-after-scenarios then you shouldn’t watch this one. This movie is about the daily lives we live and it is upon us to perceive the vision as extraordinary - in moments, in dreams and in the things that we touch and those that touch us back. Imagine that monsoon sunday where you willingly got wet walking the marine drive, then treated yourself to a hot chai cutting by a tapari and kanda bhajis, then got wet again, had five more chais’ and stuffed your mouth with wadapaavs. Later as the rains closed, you sat on the wall fences and watched the roaring sea. You probably peeped onto a beautiful stranger and smiled. Of all the life you have lived, you never forget this day because it has been special with its ordinary moments. The only accomplishment is a day well spent - not because you laughed too hard or cried  - but because there is something of the day that rubbed on you and you felt like you lived the day. 

Such is this movie. It told me, its not about the destination, its about the journey. The destination is only the end and journey is the means. For Yasmin, its not about why she chose death but the days she chose to live happily and share with her brother. For Arun the loner, he would never forget that he wept like a baby over the death of a perfect stranger. Munna keeps our hope alive to dream and make it big. For someone so young, he has the courage to let the fond being of his heart go when he gives Arun’s address to Shai. Shai is our tutor to love in the moment, without wondering and expecting whether who we love shall ever give back what we aspire? She is our freedom to love because some hearts know that ‘love’ is an involuntary, independent emotion.

Many may not find the movie marvelous but the background score is undeniably enticing. It is the score of the back-piper that shall drag music lovers to the cinema halls (or at least websites to download the score).

Good work Miss Rao - just as we expect from someone like you!

Under the Tuscan Sun: Life is strange

I had seen this one and then picked up the DVD in Crossword one day. Watched it twice again and the third watch impressed on a unique characteristic that “life” is endowed with. ‘How is life meant to be?’ may evoke a million responses such as “Life’s an ice cream - lick it before it melts” and blah blah blah. This movie makes an impression in Patti’s (played by Sandra Oh) words as ‘life is strange’ - in a mysterious, good way. It encourages you to have all the dreams you desire and life figures its own means and ends to realize it. You don’t always get what you have imagined, but life has an ability to surprise you - quite pleasantly.

I like Diana Lane in a very ‘America’s sweetheart’ kind of a way. She seems like the kind of woman who is a great girlfriend and wife, an excellent daughter, someone who can make the mum-in-law happy in the American way of life. She seems like an older, winish sister of Jennifer Aniston - just more womanly. ‘Must love dogs’ is another good movie to catch her in.

Pay close attention to the first 15 minutes of the movie. An era of a life is covered in these. If you have empathy, you would probably relate to Frances’ (played by Diana Lane) surrender of ‘materialism’ that she leaves behind at her own place, decorated by her mother’s money losing it to her now divorced husband. She only chooses to empty a small vase and take it with her to use as a pen stand apart from her invaluable books collections. She’s a writer and a brilliant one - the movie manages to highlight what she does for a living beautifully.

The story is about her second innings in life where she goes on a tour to Tuscany and buys a house on a whim - a result of a cosmic sign labelled ‘Bramasole’. The movie is packaged in the parcel that reads 'Something like life' and is an absolute delight hereafter from the sorrow of loneliness to finding a house that you can make home. Repair, reconstruct, renovate and connect. Find people who help you do that, find guidance and good will, build bonds. Look at life through the eyes of a master piece (Fefe’s somebody) and be inspired. Get carried away in the joy of cooking grand meals. Flirt, romance and be hurt. Yet don’t give up on love. Birth your lesbian friend’s baby. Wish to make a new family, how much ever late in life. Provide ground for horny teenagers to let go of their raging hormones *please smell sarcasm here*. Have a spiritual unspoken relationship with a man who brings flowers to a possibly departed loved one. 

When I saw the credits, I wasn’t surprised to see that this was directed by a woman, Audrey Wells. The movie has a feminine touch throughout and Diana Lane did absolute justice to it. The only other actor, who could have been brilliant is possibly Meryl Streep.  Apart from feminity, the story comes with very smart wits such as ‘Florence is an hour away. You are going to have your baby delivered in a hospital gown designed by Armani’. The movie gives you a few good laughs and a feel-good throughout.

Sandra Oh makes a good impression of screen space shared by her. A brilliant actress who is probably more famous now as Christina. 

Though I have covered the moral and synopses, the brilliance of the movie is in its direction; its ability to emote onscreen that make it a visual delight. Its almost therapeutic.

Ooh, and I almost forgot the key visionary message - 'They built a train track over the Alps to connect Vienna and Venice.They built these tracks before there was a train in existence that could make the trip.They built it because they knew someday the train would come'.