Note: A long time ago, I wrote this review of Before Sunset and Before Sunrise. It was more an appreciation of my favourite movie rather than a review, but it was incomplete as such. Time and again I have been advised to revise it, rewrite it... so here is my attempt. I don't pretend that this is a review... it's rather an appreciation, a way of sharing my thoughts on why the movies are beautiful.
Meeting a stranger on a train, finding a connection, and spending a day with her in a foreign city: seems like a stuff of daydreams, doesn't it? But that's precisely the world into which Richard Linklater takes us in Before Sunrise: a movie filled with magic as two intelligent young people spend an intensely romantic and conversational day in Vienna. The movie is made magical as much by the brilliant dialogue and direction by Linklater, as by the chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delphy. There has rarely been a better screen couple.
She is intelligent (I believe, more than him), free-minded, and in her own words, "a strong independent (french)woman". He is an happy-go-lucky guy from the US who has tried to learn French, and ponders over life and what he wants to do in it. They discuss their past crushes, future plans, listen to beautiful poetry on a river bank, and contemplate over marraige and death in a church, and kiss in the sunset.
One of the most beautiful moments occurs in the listening booth of a audio store, as they glance at each other, only to look away when the other catches him/her, while they listen to Kath Bloom's beautiful "Come here". Later, they wander into an alley, where Jesse says that he'd rather die knowing he had done something, rather than knowing he'd cared for his family, and loved them. Celine tells of an old man she knew who regretted doing just that, and then says
"I believe if there's any kind of God it wouldn't be in any of us, not you or me but just this little space in between. If there's any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something."
That has got to be one of the most beautiful lines I've ever heard in any movie.
As the night draws closer, the tension builds, for Jesse has to catch a plane the next morning, and they both know they have just this one night. Are they comfortable with it? Are they going to not write or phone because it "fizzles out"?
A subtle tension develops in a movie which was only romantic, thoughtful (not to mention funny) until now. This undercurrent finally surfaces in the last scene, where they promise to meet each other in six months. But will they?
Aside from a little screen time in "Waking Life", we don't meet Jesse and Celine for ten years, until Before Sunset. By then, Jesse has a wife and a kid, and Celine is a long-term relationship. But he hasn't been able to forget their magical day, and has written a book about it. He comes to Paris for promoting the book, and Celine is there!
Turns out they didn't meet again in six months, and have spent the last ten years regretting it. But they are slow to admit it: At first, they casually ask each other about their lives, their families, as though they are just friends who have met after a long time. But inside, there is anguish, grief, and, still, love. It finally explodes in a car as Jesse is dropping Celine to her house, and he has to catch a plane soon. The car scene is intense, and what follows later is a movie conclusion which simultaneously thrills, surprises, and is fitting to the story. I wonder what they'll do when they make a third movie... only 7 more years .
What I liked most about Before Sunrise is how it is filled with the energy of youth, and filled with conversation that potrays accurately the thoughts of optimistic, soul-searching modern generation boys and girls. Before Sunset follows it up with the anguish of lost opportunities, the rarity of connection, and two protagonists who are even more interesting now that they have matured and their worldview has changed.
You won't find two better movies on life, love, youth and growing up. Even if you hate romances, these are two movies so different and good that you should seek them out. There is insight in the conversations, and real meaning to the things they discuss, feel, and face.
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
19 June, 2007
02 June, 2007
Movie Series: 5. The Life of Brian
"Our Masterpiece"
- John Cleese on The Life of Brian
It took a lot of time, yes, for this, my final post in the Movie Series, to be written. I wanted to write it ever since I saw "The Life of Brian" in April. This is truly a fantastic movie: Very funny, very satirical, and very profound (Ok, that may be a strong word in this context). Before I saw Brian, I was wrestling with myself on which movie I should write about in the fifth post. But one I saw Life of Brian, there was no doubt in my mind. (Besides, this series has lacked a comedy.)
Before I start my usual plaudit-heaped post, here's a limerick:
The Life of Brian
Brian was an un-usually sensible chum
(Though he stuck out like a sore thumb)
Before he got involved
And his reason dissolved
When he shouted "Romanus Romani eunt ite domus domum!"
A lot has been said about this movie (about all great movies, actually), so I wonder what I can add. Maybe not much, so, for the review part, I'll direct you to Roger Ebert's review of Life of Brian. The only thing I have to add is that the sets are great, the movie is funny, and unlike The Holy Grail (of which I am not a big fan), this one has less slapstick and more sarcasm.
For my part, all I have to do is convince you to watch the movie: because I feel this is not a movie to be missed. The best thing to do is quote some funny lines from the movie, and here they are:
- John Cleese on The Life of Brian
It took a lot of time, yes, for this, my final post in the Movie Series, to be written. I wanted to write it ever since I saw "The Life of Brian" in April. This is truly a fantastic movie: Very funny, very satirical, and very profound (Ok, that may be a strong word in this context). Before I saw Brian, I was wrestling with myself on which movie I should write about in the fifth post. But one I saw Life of Brian, there was no doubt in my mind. (Besides, this series has lacked a comedy.)
Before I start my usual plaudit-heaped post, here's a limerick:
The Life of Brian
Brian was an un-usually sensible chum
(Though he stuck out like a sore thumb)
Before he got involved
And his reason dissolved
When he shouted "
A lot has been said about this movie (about all great movies, actually), so I wonder what I can add. Maybe not much, so, for the review part, I'll direct you to Roger Ebert's review of Life of Brian. The only thing I have to add is that the sets are great, the movie is funny, and unlike The Holy Grail (of which I am not a big fan), this one has less slapstick and more sarcasm.
For my part, all I have to do is convince you to watch the movie: because I feel this is not a movie to be missed. The best thing to do is quote some funny lines from the movie, and here they are:
- [The audience members at the back of the crowd are having trouble hearing the Sermon on the Mount.]
- Man: I think it was, "Blessed are the cheesemakers"!
- Gregory's wife: What's so special about the cheesemakers?
- Gregory: Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally. It refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.
- Mandy: Your father was a Roman.
- Brian: You mean... you were RAPED?!
- Mandy: Well... at first, yes.
- Blind Man; I'm healed! The master has healed me! I was blind, but now I see! [he falls headlong into a hole]
- Brian: I'm not the Messiah!
- Arthur: I say you are, lord, and I should know... I've followed a few.
- Followers: Hail Messiah!
- Brian: I'm not the Messiah! Will you please listen? I am not the Messiah, do you understand? Honestly!
- Girl: Only the true Messiah denies His divinity!
- Brian: What?! Well, what sort of chance does that give me? All right... I AM THE MESSIAH!
- Followers: HE IS! HE IS THE MESSIAH!
- Brian: NOW, FUCK OFF!!!!
- [there is a long awkward silence.]
- Arthur: How shall we fuck off, oh Lord?
- Brian: Oh, just go away! Leave me alone.
- Brian: You are all individuals!
- Crowd: YES, YES, WE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS!
- Brian: You are all different!
- Crowd: YES, WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT!
- Lone Voice: I'm not.
- Person next to him: SHH!
01 February, 2007
Movie Series: 4. Quiz Show
A personal favourite of mine, this is a 1994 drama-satire based on the scandal on the "21" quiz show.
Quiz Show
Outside it was quiz
Inside, all fizz.
Today there are a hundred twenty-ones
Television has finally gotten us.
The story starts with Herbert Stempel, a jew from Queens, gathering 21 more points on the show. However, the sponsors are unhappy with the crude Jew, and a slick, well-educated WASP from one of the most famous literary families, Charles Van Doren in the US us wooed by the promise of fame. He is given the questions (which are supposedly "sealed" in a bank locker) and he keeps winning easily. Meanwhile, Dick Goodwin, and investgator with a congressional sub-committee, senes that all is not well. There are surprises as Dick digs into the show. He is repelled by the crude Stempel, and finds himself sympathising with the cheating Charles Van Doren.
It is rare that a movie is written as brilliantly as it is acted and directed, but that is Quiz Show. I'll quote some quotes from this movie here, but of course, they are but more beautiful when uttered by Paul Scofield. There are lots of good lines in the movie, including three beautifully written conversations between Charles Van Doren and his father. I couldn't find much on IMDB, so be content with just three.
Mark Van Doren: Cheating on a quiz show? That's sort of like plagiarizing a comic strip.
Mark Van Doren: (About playing poker) If you look around the table and you can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Mark Van Doren: Sixty-four thousand dollars for a question, I hope they are asking you the meaning of life.
Mark Van Doren is played by Paul Scofield, who has the best lines in the movie, and plays Charles Van Doren's (Fiennes) father with poignance and elegance. Fiennes, as the man caught between fame and morality, turns in a wonderfully sensitive performance. John Turturro is intense as the tricked and ousted twenty-one champion. Rob Morrow is the investigator, and plays him well, but falls under the shadow of the these three.
The direction is very good, with skillfully handled sequences between Charles and Mark Van Doren, as well as the quiz show. The cinematography is full of close-ups, and nicely shot conversations.
This is a rare movie, as it is moving, profound as well as entertaining. There is no morality dilemma in here, but there is the impending fear that the bad ones will get away. It's not hard to see how tough the questions were, and how there has been a dumbing down since then. There is a father-son relationship, an investigator too full sympathy for the guilty, a WASP wanting to get out of his father's shadow, a Jew who accuses jews of rasicm and cheating, while his own morality is debatable, and TV producers who don't think twice before cheating.
There is a lot more to this movie than is evident at first sight, and watch it carefully, enjoy the brilliance, and think.
Next Post: The 100th post. I plan to do something special... lets see...
Quiz Show
Outside it was quiz
Inside, all fizz.
Today there are a hundred twenty-ones
Television has finally gotten us.
The story starts with Herbert Stempel, a jew from Queens, gathering 21 more points on the show. However, the sponsors are unhappy with the crude Jew, and a slick, well-educated WASP from one of the most famous literary families, Charles Van Doren in the US us wooed by the promise of fame. He is given the questions (which are supposedly "sealed" in a bank locker) and he keeps winning easily. Meanwhile, Dick Goodwin, and investgator with a congressional sub-committee, senes that all is not well. There are surprises as Dick digs into the show. He is repelled by the crude Stempel, and finds himself sympathising with the cheating Charles Van Doren.
It is rare that a movie is written as brilliantly as it is acted and directed, but that is Quiz Show. I'll quote some quotes from this movie here, but of course, they are but more beautiful when uttered by Paul Scofield. There are lots of good lines in the movie, including three beautifully written conversations between Charles Van Doren and his father. I couldn't find much on IMDB, so be content with just three.
Mark Van Doren: Cheating on a quiz show? That's sort of like plagiarizing a comic strip.
Mark Van Doren: (About playing poker) If you look around the table and you can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Mark Van Doren: Sixty-four thousand dollars for a question, I hope they are asking you the meaning of life.
Mark Van Doren is played by Paul Scofield, who has the best lines in the movie, and plays Charles Van Doren's (Fiennes) father with poignance and elegance. Fiennes, as the man caught between fame and morality, turns in a wonderfully sensitive performance. John Turturro is intense as the tricked and ousted twenty-one champion. Rob Morrow is the investigator, and plays him well, but falls under the shadow of the these three.
The direction is very good, with skillfully handled sequences between Charles and Mark Van Doren, as well as the quiz show. The cinematography is full of close-ups, and nicely shot conversations.
This is a rare movie, as it is moving, profound as well as entertaining. There is no morality dilemma in here, but there is the impending fear that the bad ones will get away. It's not hard to see how tough the questions were, and how there has been a dumbing down since then. There is a father-son relationship, an investigator too full sympathy for the guilty, a WASP wanting to get out of his father's shadow, a Jew who accuses jews of rasicm and cheating, while his own morality is debatable, and TV producers who don't think twice before cheating.
There is a lot more to this movie than is evident at first sight, and watch it carefully, enjoy the brilliance, and think.
Next Post: The 100th post. I plan to do something special... lets see...
21 December, 2006
Movie Series: 3. Anand (Joy)
The essence of life: unadulterated joy
Like playing with a pleasing child's toy
And when you get in trouble
When life bursts the bubble
Just go with the flow, shouting "Ahoy!"
While I can't say that's what the Bollywood movie "Anand" says, because it says a lot more, "the joy of living" is at the heart of the movie, as epitomised by it's lead character, a terminally-ill simple guy named Anand. The narrator is the doctor who's in charge of him, Bhaskar Banerjee, who's a shy, sober person.
But it's not your usual terminally-ill movie. Anand has spunk, wit and a stunningly positive attitude about himself. The movie is about living every moment of life, and having fun, but the message isn't drilled into viewers' minds. This isn't a message movie; it's about Anand and Bhaskar, their friendship, worries and Anand's condition. And humour comes at the right moments. The movie cannot be said to be manipulative by any strech of the imagination, except for crafting such an impossibly likable lead. But the character is reportedly based on the director's friend and actor Raj Kapoor.
Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who died in 2006, has crafted many light-at-heart but meaningful movies over the years, which can be considered some of the finest Bollywood has ever produced. "Anand" is his best creation, and it ushered in the golden age of Bollywood (the 1970's), and the age of Amitabh Bachchan. Bachchan potrays Bhaskar as an introvert who cares for Anand and is afraid of losing him, although he plays second fiddle to Rajesh Khanna's masterful potrayal of Anand. Khanna brings to Anand an energy and sympathy that make this his best work ever. This is a character movie, and the leads do brilliant jobs.
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee tradition, we have a whole cast of secondary characters, who are given life by perfect casting. No character can be said to be a caricature, which says quite a lot for a hindi movie (Yeah, if you don't speak hindi, do endure subtitles for this one ;) ).
A word about the score and songs: fantastic, and perfectly suited to the movie. Fresh but melancholy, inspiring and lonely.
As usual, my "review" is laden with superlatives. But such a simple, fresh and un-manipulative movie is so rare that I will forgive it's flaws, if there are any.
The direction is perfect, the story is perfect, the casting and acting is perfect. It's the best Bollywood movie I've seen. Go rent it, if you haven't seen it. If you have, you will, no doubt, not mind watching it again.
Like playing with a pleasing child's toy
And when you get in trouble
When life bursts the bubble
Just go with the flow, shouting "Ahoy!"
While I can't say that's what the Bollywood movie "Anand" says, because it says a lot more, "the joy of living" is at the heart of the movie, as epitomised by it's lead character, a terminally-ill simple guy named Anand. The narrator is the doctor who's in charge of him, Bhaskar Banerjee, who's a shy, sober person.
But it's not your usual terminally-ill movie. Anand has spunk, wit and a stunningly positive attitude about himself. The movie is about living every moment of life, and having fun, but the message isn't drilled into viewers' minds. This isn't a message movie; it's about Anand and Bhaskar, their friendship, worries and Anand's condition. And humour comes at the right moments. The movie cannot be said to be manipulative by any strech of the imagination, except for crafting such an impossibly likable lead. But the character is reportedly based on the director's friend and actor Raj Kapoor.
Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who died in 2006, has crafted many light-at-heart but meaningful movies over the years, which can be considered some of the finest Bollywood has ever produced. "Anand" is his best creation, and it ushered in the golden age of Bollywood (the 1970's), and the age of Amitabh Bachchan. Bachchan potrays Bhaskar as an introvert who cares for Anand and is afraid of losing him, although he plays second fiddle to Rajesh Khanna's masterful potrayal of Anand. Khanna brings to Anand an energy and sympathy that make this his best work ever. This is a character movie, and the leads do brilliant jobs.
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee tradition, we have a whole cast of secondary characters, who are given life by perfect casting. No character can be said to be a caricature, which says quite a lot for a hindi movie (Yeah, if you don't speak hindi, do endure subtitles for this one ;) ).
A word about the score and songs: fantastic, and perfectly suited to the movie. Fresh but melancholy, inspiring and lonely.
As usual, my "review" is laden with superlatives. But such a simple, fresh and un-manipulative movie is so rare that I will forgive it's flaws, if there are any.
The direction is perfect, the story is perfect, the casting and acting is perfect. It's the best Bollywood movie I've seen. Go rent it, if you haven't seen it. If you have, you will, no doubt, not mind watching it again.
04 November, 2006
Movie Series: 2. The Godfather
It's high time I continue my movie series... With what I believe is the best movie of all time.
I don't quote the Godfather by three's and two's
It's only on opportunities I can't refuse.
There was a man from Sicily
Who wanted to avoid being silly
So when he was teased
For having a voice greased
He just cut off the man's neck (and willy)!
First, a bit of history... I wasn't mush impressed with The Godfather the first time I saw it... well, I only saw the first half hour, and nothing much happened there. The next time, I employed that rare quality known as patience, and was rewarded. (After movies like this, I go "What. A. Movie.) I have seen the movie twice since, and my opinion of it has risen with each viewing.
The plot is complex, and populated with characters. Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the head of an affluent New York mob "family". But his rejection to the call for help by a drug dealer (drugs are against his principles) results in an assassination attempt on him, and the resulting gang war leads to the death of his elder son (James Caan), while sending his disinterested "civilian" younger son (Al Pacino) into a whirl that will eventually result in his becoming the head of the family.
It is quite an accomplishment that most of the the characters are well realised. Roger Ebert's review gives an idea as to why that is: Perfect casting. The actors understand their parts, and the screenplay doesn't have to go to extra lengths to give character backgrounds. And all the lead actors: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan excel in their roles. Al Pacino in particular, handles his character extremely well, giving one of the best acting performances of all time.
Based on the book by Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Copolla creates a rich and tight movie, bringing the essentials of the book onto the screen in a way that make it (arguably) the best book adaptation in the history of cinema. Copolla chose to concentrate on Micheal Corleone and his transformation, while the book revolves around Don Corleone. This is a good decision, making the movie a greek tragedy at heart. The ending is laced with irony and is exceedingly well-paced.
The cinematography and music of the movie also deserve superlatives, as Gordon Willis's camera captures the actors in 40's New York settings with poignance and grace, effectively but subtly using colour and motion, while Nino Rota's score resonates with the tragic atmosphere.
I realise my review has been saturated with superlatives, but that is just what this movie deserves. Don't think this is a sad, dark, boring movie, though... But this is a commercial movie that goes far beyond just entertaining, creating multi-faceted characters, a complex plot, and a rich atmosphere. It has something for everyone. The Godfather is, in one word, a masterpiece.
I don't quote the Godfather by three's and two's
It's only on opportunities I can't refuse.
There was a man from Sicily
Who wanted to avoid being silly
So when he was teased
For having a voice greased
He just cut off the man's neck (and willy)!
First, a bit of history... I wasn't mush impressed with The Godfather the first time I saw it... well, I only saw the first half hour, and nothing much happened there. The next time, I employed that rare quality known as patience, and was rewarded. (After movies like this, I go "What. A. Movie.) I have seen the movie twice since, and my opinion of it has risen with each viewing.
The plot is complex, and populated with characters. Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the head of an affluent New York mob "family". But his rejection to the call for help by a drug dealer (drugs are against his principles) results in an assassination attempt on him, and the resulting gang war leads to the death of his elder son (James Caan), while sending his disinterested "civilian" younger son (Al Pacino) into a whirl that will eventually result in his becoming the head of the family.
It is quite an accomplishment that most of the the characters are well realised. Roger Ebert's review gives an idea as to why that is: Perfect casting. The actors understand their parts, and the screenplay doesn't have to go to extra lengths to give character backgrounds. And all the lead actors: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan excel in their roles. Al Pacino in particular, handles his character extremely well, giving one of the best acting performances of all time.
Based on the book by Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Copolla creates a rich and tight movie, bringing the essentials of the book onto the screen in a way that make it (arguably) the best book adaptation in the history of cinema. Copolla chose to concentrate on Micheal Corleone and his transformation, while the book revolves around Don Corleone. This is a good decision, making the movie a greek tragedy at heart. The ending is laced with irony and is exceedingly well-paced.
The cinematography and music of the movie also deserve superlatives, as Gordon Willis's camera captures the actors in 40's New York settings with poignance and grace, effectively but subtly using colour and motion, while Nino Rota's score resonates with the tragic atmosphere.
I realise my review has been saturated with superlatives, but that is just what this movie deserves. Don't think this is a sad, dark, boring movie, though... But this is a commercial movie that goes far beyond just entertaining, creating multi-faceted characters, a complex plot, and a rich atmosphere. It has something for everyone. The Godfather is, in one word, a masterpiece.
21 October, 2006
Movie Series: 1. Before Sunrise/ Before Sunset
Here, a limerick feels strangely out-of-place. So, instead, I'll insert a wonderful poem from the movie itself. :-)
Delusion Angel
- David Jewell
Daydream, delusion, limousine, eyelash.
Oh baby with your pretty face.
Drop a tear in my wineglass.
Look at those big eyes.
See what you mean to me.
Sweet-cakes and milkshakes.
I'm delusion angel, I'm fantasy parade,
I want you to know what I think.
Don't want you to guess anymore.
You have no idea where I came from.
We have no idea where we're going.
Latched in life, Like branches in a river,
Flowing downstream, Caught in the current,
I'll carry you, You'll carry me.
That's how it could be, Don't you know me?
Don't you know me by now?
As I mentioned in the previous post, This post starts a new series: My Favourite Movies. Here I'll be part-reviewing, part-appreciating some of my favourite movies. I recommend them. I am not a movie-reviewer, and am not saying I have a very good taste in movies. I am just putting forward my recommendations, as everyone else does. :-) I begin with my personal favourite:
Before Sunrise
I saw half an hour of this movie on HBO one day, and was enchanted. I did not know what more lay in store, and no site could inform me. Once I saw the whole movie, I discovered why. This movie has almost no plot, and the substance is essentially incompressible.
The plot goes like this: A young man meets a woman on a train, talks to her for a while. He has to get off at Vienna, but they both enjoy each other's company so much that she decides to spend a day with him in Vienna, and catch the next morning's train. The movie is about the magical day, and how they fall in love.
The movie follows them travelling around Vienna, talking about love, the sexes, God, and philosophy. Their conversation feels real, except for the fact that it is difficult to find such intelligent persons to chat with. The movie is simple, profound, and heartbreaking. It is also something I've never seen before. Forget the cheesy romances of Bollywood and the romantic comedies of Hollywood, this is the true romantic movie.
I've rarly seen better acting than what Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy accomplish here, and there's real chemistry between them. Richard Linklater, who also co-wrote the movie, directs it in such a way that we can feel what the characters are experiencing, and that allows the movie to reach us.
The movie contains many wonderful scenes, like a scene where Celine and Jesse (the names of the characters) listen to a song in a listening booth. The movie may be a dream, but it is very romantic and touching, and the script and acting very real. Go watch this, for the magic.
Before Sunset
A sequel to Before Sunrise came 9 years later, not because of greed (Before Sunrise didn't do very well), but because the actors and director felt the need for developing the characters. The ending of the first movie was incomplete (deliberately), and some felt that the sequel will not do justice to the "what will happen" feeling of Before Sunrise. But Before Sunset doesn't dissapoint.
You have to be a little mature in the ways of love to understand Before Sunset, which I am not. But I did enjoy it. This movie is even more restricted than the former: there is less plot, more talk, and it takes place in real time. But Hawke and Delpy, who co-wrote the screenplay, again enchant with their chemistry and acting. This movie isn't a dream like the previous one, but it is about the reality of love, and how rarely we find a true connection. And the ending again poses a "what will happen" question, except this time we know what.
What I gather from IMDB is, viewers (who like this kind of movie) will enjoy both, but those below 30 will like Sunrise more, and those above will like Sunset. I am in the former category. I also feel Sunrise has a richer tale. But watch both. :-)
Delusion Angel
- David Jewell
Daydream, delusion, limousine, eyelash.
Oh baby with your pretty face.
Drop a tear in my wineglass.
Look at those big eyes.
See what you mean to me.
Sweet-cakes and milkshakes.
I'm delusion angel, I'm fantasy parade,
I want you to know what I think.
Don't want you to guess anymore.
You have no idea where I came from.
We have no idea where we're going.
Latched in life, Like branches in a river,
Flowing downstream, Caught in the current,
I'll carry you, You'll carry me.
That's how it could be, Don't you know me?
Don't you know me by now?
As I mentioned in the previous post, This post starts a new series: My Favourite Movies. Here I'll be part-reviewing, part-appreciating some of my favourite movies. I recommend them. I am not a movie-reviewer, and am not saying I have a very good taste in movies. I am just putting forward my recommendations, as everyone else does. :-) I begin with my personal favourite:
Before Sunrise
I saw half an hour of this movie on HBO one day, and was enchanted. I did not know what more lay in store, and no site could inform me. Once I saw the whole movie, I discovered why. This movie has almost no plot, and the substance is essentially incompressible.
The plot goes like this: A young man meets a woman on a train, talks to her for a while. He has to get off at Vienna, but they both enjoy each other's company so much that she decides to spend a day with him in Vienna, and catch the next morning's train. The movie is about the magical day, and how they fall in love.
The movie follows them travelling around Vienna, talking about love, the sexes, God, and philosophy. Their conversation feels real, except for the fact that it is difficult to find such intelligent persons to chat with. The movie is simple, profound, and heartbreaking. It is also something I've never seen before. Forget the cheesy romances of Bollywood and the romantic comedies of Hollywood, this is the true romantic movie.
I've rarly seen better acting than what Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy accomplish here, and there's real chemistry between them. Richard Linklater, who also co-wrote the movie, directs it in such a way that we can feel what the characters are experiencing, and that allows the movie to reach us.
The movie contains many wonderful scenes, like a scene where Celine and Jesse (the names of the characters) listen to a song in a listening booth. The movie may be a dream, but it is very romantic and touching, and the script and acting very real. Go watch this, for the magic.
Before Sunset
A sequel to Before Sunrise came 9 years later, not because of greed (Before Sunrise didn't do very well), but because the actors and director felt the need for developing the characters. The ending of the first movie was incomplete (deliberately), and some felt that the sequel will not do justice to the "what will happen" feeling of Before Sunrise. But Before Sunset doesn't dissapoint.
You have to be a little mature in the ways of love to understand Before Sunset, which I am not. But I did enjoy it. This movie is even more restricted than the former: there is less plot, more talk, and it takes place in real time. But Hawke and Delpy, who co-wrote the screenplay, again enchant with their chemistry and acting. This movie isn't a dream like the previous one, but it is about the reality of love, and how rarely we find a true connection. And the ending again poses a "what will happen" question, except this time we know what.
What I gather from IMDB is, viewers (who like this kind of movie) will enjoy both, but those below 30 will like Sunrise more, and those above will like Sunset. I am in the former category. I also feel Sunrise has a richer tale. But watch both. :-)
18 October, 2006
Movies and me
Movies
A man dreamt he couldn't unlock
his door, and turned, with shock
To find a knife in his back
You'll have to face such attack
If you sleep after watching Hitchcock!
OK, A bit of a clumsy limerick to start with. Anyway...
Well, I admit, I don't like reading fiction much. But I like movies. In fact, I love movies. Movies demand a lot less patience than books, but the good ones pay off in less time. I wasn't much of a movie fan 5 years ago, but my appreciation for movies has grown since. I used to like reading, and I still like reading nonfiction.
For most movies, the time limit for movies doesn't allow for as much depth as a book would. But I can name a movie to contradict that: The Godfather. Through the sheer power of acting, direction and structuring, the movie could compress the essense of Mario Puzo's book into 200 minutes. Aside from the plots which have been omitted (the Johnny Fontane story), you can get the essense of everything in the book, and more, in 3 and a half hours.
But personal tastes cannot be avoided when you name your favourite movies. I will admit, any day, that the Godfather is the best movie I've seen, but my favourite is Before Sunrise. Why is my favourite different from the best? Because "Before Sunrise" clicks with me. It may not possess the plot depth of the Godfather, or the technical skill of Schindler's List, but this movie is just the type I like.
Different Tastes
I loved Arnold action movies said she
And I glanced at her shockingly
For I was expecting
A bit of maturing
From my dear wife-to-be!
And, tastes differ. I wont recommend The Godfather to my Bollywood-liking friends, or Before Sunrise to my action-oriented friends. And no one has the "better" taste. It's just too personal. Like comparing (to use a cliche) apples and oranges.
This taste issue is very complicated, I'd just shove it aside if it weren't so important. But it is. Who has the better taste: someone who likes Adam Sandler comedies or someone who likes serious satire? (I'm pretty sure one can't like both, unless he/she is very open-minded.) The people who like the latter have some intelligent thing to ponder about, and can enjoy great acting, get a glimpse of reality, and be patient. These are things useful in the life... but who's to argue if I spend two hours laughing at dumb jokes, but enjoying myself?
Maybe we just shouldn't compare.
The plans for a series on movies
I admit that I don't know much about film-making. I don't think I have the ability to recognise truly great movies. And, as I've said above, calling some film "the best" is useless anyway, because people have different tastes.
Anyway, I do wish to talk about the movies I like: so, for a few days, every alternate post will be about one of my favourite movies. Note that it'll not be strictly criticism... it'll be more about what I like in that movie. There's nothing more that I can do. Of course, my taste will change as I see more movies, and also as I grow. But, for the present:
A bit of personal, a bit of technical, I'll start my "Favourite movies" series from the post after the next with, of course, Before Sunrise.
A man dreamt he couldn't unlock
his door, and turned, with shock
To find a knife in his back
You'll have to face such attack
If you sleep after watching Hitchcock!
OK, A bit of a clumsy limerick to start with. Anyway...
Well, I admit, I don't like reading fiction much. But I like movies. In fact, I love movies. Movies demand a lot less patience than books, but the good ones pay off in less time. I wasn't much of a movie fan 5 years ago, but my appreciation for movies has grown since. I used to like reading, and I still like reading nonfiction.
For most movies, the time limit for movies doesn't allow for as much depth as a book would. But I can name a movie to contradict that: The Godfather. Through the sheer power of acting, direction and structuring, the movie could compress the essense of Mario Puzo's book into 200 minutes. Aside from the plots which have been omitted (the Johnny Fontane story), you can get the essense of everything in the book, and more, in 3 and a half hours.
But personal tastes cannot be avoided when you name your favourite movies. I will admit, any day, that the Godfather is the best movie I've seen, but my favourite is Before Sunrise. Why is my favourite different from the best? Because "Before Sunrise" clicks with me. It may not possess the plot depth of the Godfather, or the technical skill of Schindler's List, but this movie is just the type I like.
Different Tastes
I loved Arnold action movies said she
And I glanced at her shockingly
For I was expecting
A bit of maturing
From my dear wife-to-be!
And, tastes differ. I wont recommend The Godfather to my Bollywood-liking friends, or Before Sunrise to my action-oriented friends. And no one has the "better" taste. It's just too personal. Like comparing (to use a cliche) apples and oranges.
This taste issue is very complicated, I'd just shove it aside if it weren't so important. But it is. Who has the better taste: someone who likes Adam Sandler comedies or someone who likes serious satire? (I'm pretty sure one can't like both, unless he/she is very open-minded.) The people who like the latter have some intelligent thing to ponder about, and can enjoy great acting, get a glimpse of reality, and be patient. These are things useful in the life... but who's to argue if I spend two hours laughing at dumb jokes, but enjoying myself?
Maybe we just shouldn't compare.
The plans for a series on movies
I admit that I don't know much about film-making. I don't think I have the ability to recognise truly great movies. And, as I've said above, calling some film "the best" is useless anyway, because people have different tastes.
Anyway, I do wish to talk about the movies I like: so, for a few days, every alternate post will be about one of my favourite movies. Note that it'll not be strictly criticism... it'll be more about what I like in that movie. There's nothing more that I can do. Of course, my taste will change as I see more movies, and also as I grow. But, for the present:
A bit of personal, a bit of technical, I'll start my "Favourite movies" series from the post after the next with, of course, Before Sunrise.
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