The photography is very good, the story less so. Characters are not very developed. Rafina is portrayed as an innocent girl, but is actually quite vain. Also, the fashion industry is presented in a very naive manner as an empowering world. Although that it not the focus of the movie, heels and make-up are expensive, damaging, and rather oppressive too. The total rejection of social conservatism annoys me. Rafina will probably be happier being a model, but I'm not sure her example is scalable to the whole Pakistani society. Ultimately, the film sends a very individualistic message, and typically favors an oppression over another.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein
(2001)
What message does that send to young Indian men?
9 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I watched that movie with a lot of hope after seeing its mark. I have been hugely disappointed. India is a country where girls are subject to an increasing level of sexual harassment. It is also a country where their honour is highly valued, and where a bad marriage often means a life of misery. This film portrays Reena as a nice girl, but a girl whose choice is never taken into account. I thought that the film would end by her choosing neither after she says she doesn't want to decide her future by closing her eyes. It would have been an excellent, and genuinely original ending. Sadly, she goes with her harasser (which is what Madhav is). This basically say you can lie to a girl, and you'll get her. It doesn't matter what she thinks, she'll fall for you. As in ALL Bollywood movies, the first half hour is about the guy creepily staring at her all the time. It doesn't take into account the fact that, yes we do realise that as girls. And we don't like it. No wonder guys in India think it's OK to stare at a girl and harass her. It's because of films like that such behaviour is tolerated. Then what happens? Oh yes, Madhav pursue her, threatens her, threaten to hit her friends, beat up a few guys, and tell her that he could have raped her. She cries, but so what? It works. The film ends when Rajiv 'gives her' (she doesn't even come on her own) to Madhav. I know the story between the guys was in the background, but come on. What does that say, really? Such a film deserves only blame. It normalises attitudes which are deeply disturbing in Indian society. Get a grip, and produce films that have the balls to actually portray women other than passive victims, and men as weirdos who stare, harass, and get what they want.
The Avengers
(2012)
Entertaining as hell
6 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I generally am not particularly eager to see movies with all that hype around them. It often means little more than clever marketing. The Avengers proved me wrong. What is good about this film is that it takes all your mind and all your guts during 2.30h. Clever, full of action, suspense, and humour.
The special effects were just incredibly effective. The way the story develops, from the 'what do we do?' question to Nick Fury, with the title then appearing to the hidden genuine end of the movie. The action does stop only for the viewer to appreciate the characters' mindset (actors did a good job), and understand what's coming next. I liked the space given to the female characters (mostly Black Widow) to actually portray rich, smart, and strong individuals. Neither over-sexualised (of course, it's comic inspired so the body is there, but there is no direct reliance on her appearance per se to win), neither victimised. I actually liked the fact that it is Black Widow who closes the passage. Few mistakes for me: Not enough importance was given to Thor. Captain America did look a little bit overwhelmed by his team mates. That great weapon Phil talked about before using it against Loki did not do anything at all, I expected him to be wounded. The 'glass cage' falling with Thor didn't do it for me, when you can take the full strength of Iron Man, you can take a fall (he's a God, too).
Of course, I loved the 'credits ending scene', even if half the crowd missed it. it! 8/10
The special effects were just incredibly effective. The way the story develops, from the 'what do we do?' question to Nick Fury, with the title then appearing to the hidden genuine end of the movie. The action does stop only for the viewer to appreciate the characters' mindset (actors did a good job), and understand what's coming next. I liked the space given to the female characters (mostly Black Widow) to actually portray rich, smart, and strong individuals. Neither over-sexualised (of course, it's comic inspired so the body is there, but there is no direct reliance on her appearance per se to win), neither victimised. I actually liked the fact that it is Black Widow who closes the passage. Few mistakes for me: Not enough importance was given to Thor. Captain America did look a little bit overwhelmed by his team mates. That great weapon Phil talked about before using it against Loki did not do anything at all, I expected him to be wounded. The 'glass cage' falling with Thor didn't do it for me, when you can take the full strength of Iron Man, you can take a fall (he's a God, too).
Of course, I loved the 'credits ending scene', even if half the crowd missed it. it! 8/10
Agneepath
(2012)
Let down...
11 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Agneepath... First review on IMDb, and unfortunately it's not a good one. I was expecting a lot from the trailer, and the beginning of the movie is promising.
Unfortunately, as soon as Vijay turns older, it starts going wrong. Nothing makes sense in that film, really. The character is apparently doing good, yet he served as the right-hand man of a pedo-pimp for 15 years. What's the point of providing charity to the local community if your boss is selling little girls on the larger scale? Anyway, two hours of the film are absolutely irrelevant. Most deaths could have been avoided by directly get on Mandwa and kill Kancha, which is what happens eventually at the expense of 15 years of suffering for Vijay, and of losing his wife. Typically, like all Bollywood movies, all institutional figures are corrupt (except the good-hearted policeman) and nobody is to trust. Complicated stories involving ministers and drug-dealers lead to... nothing for the story. The relationship with the sister is barely exploited, the director should have developed that side of Vijay much more. Two minutes at the beach is not enough, sorry. Absolutely uncharismatic female characters, especially the lover-wife. The mother had potential, yet she is relegated to the old suffering woman at the end. Her murder/sacrifice rather than the wife would have made better sense for the story.
3/10 for the visual aspect of the film, and the work on the light.
Unfortunately, as soon as Vijay turns older, it starts going wrong. Nothing makes sense in that film, really. The character is apparently doing good, yet he served as the right-hand man of a pedo-pimp for 15 years. What's the point of providing charity to the local community if your boss is selling little girls on the larger scale? Anyway, two hours of the film are absolutely irrelevant. Most deaths could have been avoided by directly get on Mandwa and kill Kancha, which is what happens eventually at the expense of 15 years of suffering for Vijay, and of losing his wife. Typically, like all Bollywood movies, all institutional figures are corrupt (except the good-hearted policeman) and nobody is to trust. Complicated stories involving ministers and drug-dealers lead to... nothing for the story. The relationship with the sister is barely exploited, the director should have developed that side of Vijay much more. Two minutes at the beach is not enough, sorry. Absolutely uncharismatic female characters, especially the lover-wife. The mother had potential, yet she is relegated to the old suffering woman at the end. Her murder/sacrifice rather than the wife would have made better sense for the story.
3/10 for the visual aspect of the film, and the work on the light.
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