Film Review- Talvar

 

And Justice For All

Film: Talvar

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi, Sohum Shah

Directed by: Meghna Gulzar

Duration: 2 hrs 12 mins

Rating: * * * * 

Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar is one of those rare films where what is being said is much more than what is being shown on the screen. Based on the Aarushi Talwar murder case which was debated and dissected endlessly in the media for quite a while, Talvar tells us of what possibly could have happened on that fateful night. This is our Rashomon. 

As the old adage goes, truth is stranger than fiction and that is another point that Talvar proves. There are two aspects to the story. First, it is a Sherlockian mystery as to what exactly happened and how, so there is an element of suspense and mystery. Second and more importantly, it is also a telling commentary of the system and the world that we live in. Heaven help if you are caught on the wrong side of the law – except the truth, all other factors will decide your fate and that is rather ironic to say the least. 

Talvar is less of a cookie cutter film and more of an enactment of the events that keeps you gripped right from the first frame. A maid comes to the house of the Tandon’s (Neeraj Kabi and Konkona Sen Sharma) only to find that the door is locked from outside. Once that issue is sorted out, the parents discover the dead body of their daughter Shruti whose throat is slit. Khempal, their domestic help is the prime suspect and since he is missing, it appears to be an open and shut case.  But the next day, his body is found on the terrace of the same building. These basic facts are out in the public domain for a long time now but only those who have followed the case with more than casual interest will know the details about how the investigation was completely botched up by the police. For them it is a simple matter of honor killing but then there are discrepancies.

The case is then handed over to the CDI (an obvious allusion to the CBI) and one of their bright officers, Ashwin Kumar (Irrfan, terrific as usual) explores the case. “Next time you see a blood stained impression of the palm don’t forget to take a fingerprint” he reprimands the cop sarcastically.  

The screenplay offers different points of view of the people involved. They all have a different story to tell and it is only towards the end that the film makers have taken a side which actually works because they don’t push the point too hard. The possibilities are presented, a conclusion is drawn but you are also given enough fodder to draw your conclusions. The farcical manner in which the case was to be closed is comic and yet terrifying and therein lies the triumph of Talvar. 

The screenplay sucks you in to the extent that you forget you are watching a film – there are the odd strands like Ashwin’s marital discord or the familiar media trial which take you out of that world but not for too long. 

For a movie to be that effective the other aspects of film making also have to come together. Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography is from the top draw and Ketan Sodha’s background score is remarkable. 

The ensemble cast deserves applause. Neeraj Kabi (of ship of Theseus fame) and Konkana Sen Sharma as the distraught parents are apt. Gajraj Rao as the police officer fits the bill and ditto with Atul Kumar as the new investigation officer. Soham Shah as the cool as a cucumber deputy hits all the right notes. The film though rests on Irrfan Khan who has added yet another spectacular performance to his already impressive resumé. This actor just can’t put a foot wrong. 

All said and seen, the arm of the law maybe long but it is not long enough to do justice for all. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 4th Oct. 2015
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Film Review - Jurassic World

Walk In The Park

Film: Jurassic World

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Duration: 2 hrs 4mins

Rating:  *  *  * 1 / 2

It’s been over 20 years since the dinosaurs and Steven Spielberg’s vision blew us away with Jurassic Park, adapted from Michael Crichton’s book. While watching Jurassic World the latest in the franchise and fourth in line, you are constantly reminded, in a good way, what a spectacular film the original one was - anyone can use CGI but to use it tell a darn good story with so many memorable scenes, it takes a Spielberg to do that.     

Director Colin Trevorrow has done a commendable job with Spielberg on board as executive producer – there is only so much you can do when dinosaur’s run riot in a fairly predictable plot and he seems to be aware of that. Within those parameters, considering that the previous two films failed, Trevorrow does well to pull it off by keeping it simple.  Time and again, the film also pays a tribute to the original, the rear view mirror shot being one of them.

John Hammond who envisaged the park is gone but his dream has come alive.  A fully functional Jurassic park but called Jurassic World is operational in Costa Rica and tourists are flocking there, ignoring everything that happened in part 2 and 3.

The place is managed by Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) who is career oriented woman and a bit stiff at time. Investors want something bigger bolder and cool and the park to keep the interest going, it is bit like mobile companies coming up with new models ever so often. Hence a new dinosaur is genetically modified, he is called Indominus Rex.  While Claire is supposed to look after her two nephews, which she doesn’t, all hell breaks loose when Indominus Rex comes out in the open. Irrfan Khan plays an entrepreneur who controls the park while Owen (Chris Pratt) is a dinosaur trainer of sorts. The stage is all set for the prehistoric creatures to run amok.

There are a couple of sub plots thrown in for good measure – an army man (Vincent D’Onofrio)  is controlling the ‘experiment’, after robots, the army is looking for dinosaurs to fight for them and the relationship between man and animal, raptors in this case adds a nice touch to the proceedings. Trevorrow knows which buttons to press, and when, to keep the audience engaged despite of the plot being formulaic.  

Even if the dinosaur is threatening lives, there has to be some romance in the story, that is the order of the day, so Claire and Owen have a thing going between them and it would have also been interesting to see in a mid or close up shot how she managed to run at quick speed in those heels. 

The acting is at par, Bryce Dallas Howard (Manderlay, The Village) is not seen that often but she is a mighty good actress while Chris Pratt is likable, much like the dinosaurs he trains. 

In toto, Jurassic Park delivers what it promises. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 14th June 2015

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Film Review - Piku

Poop and Rock

Film: Piku

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan
Directed by:  Shoojit Sircar
Duration: 2 hrs 2 mins
Rating: *  *  *  *

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Piku is a triumph for commercial cinema – It has popular actors and yet the story is not main stream by any stretch of imagination. It may not have much of a story to speak of, it is all character driven, but Juhi Chaturvedi (of Vicky Donor fame) who has written the screenplay and the dialogues, delivers one of the finest films of 2015. 

The devil always lies in the detail and the film makers have got that spot on. Amitabh Bachchan in his most remarkable performance in recent time, plays Bhaskor Bannerjee (note, it is Bhaskor and not Bhaskar) a Bengali settled in Chittaranjan Park, Delhi. To say that he is an eccentric man would be an understatement. Among other issues that he has, the main is constipation. His daughter Piku (Deepika Padukone), a single working woman, has a tough time coping up with the old man’s obsession of sorts with his bowel movements. It doesn’t sound very appetizing but just how the writer director team pulled off the issue of sperm donation in style in Vicky Donor  without ever making you squirm in your seat, constipation is tackled with a great deal of amusement here. 

Piku wants to get on with her life, more often than not she manages to do that. But the next issue related to health or bowel is never too far away, even when she is on a date. 

Irrfan Khan plays Rana, the owner of a taxi service – initially, it is not clear what exactly the relationship between him and Piku is. They are acquaintances but we don’t know if they have a soft corner for each other. 

Bhaskor da decides to take a trip to his ancestral home in Kolkata, since traveling by air is likely to give him palpitations and a train journey is not good for his tummy, they decide to drive down all the way.      

As expected the fun continues on the road as Rana drives them down but it doesn’t unfold in your regular road movie format. There is more to it than just the journey, the destination also matters. 

With those quick cuts and smart dialogues, the tone is set right from the word go. At just over two hours, there is never a dull moment in the film, you are smiling, laughing or a bit emotional towards the climax. It is also refreshing to see an ending that is not exactly in the traditional mould. 

The film makers have also crafted the Bengali’ness perfectly which adds to the milieu. The old man’s character is most fascinating – while he is always overtly bothered about his health, he is also as liberal as a father and has progressive views on just about everything. It also touches upon the issue of children taking care of their parents in old age - it raises questions, as for the  answer, to each his own. 

While the music score is also impressive, it is the cast that takes the cake. With the kind of roles she has been doing recently, Deepika Padukone ascertains herself as one of the best actresses on the scene. The father daughter chemistry between her and Big B is terrific. Irrfan Khan is reliable as always but it is Amitabh Bachchan who stands out in a remarkable performance.  Whether it is the accent, mannerisms, expressions or timing, Bachchan shows that if the role has any potential, he can still make mince-meat of it.

Piku offers the most wonderful time at the cinemas, don’t miss out on it.    

Published in The Navhind Times, Goa on 10th May 2015
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Film Review - The Lunchbox

A Fabulously Sumptuous Treat

Film: The Lunchbox

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddique

Directed by: Ritesh Batra

Duration: 1 hr 50 mins

Rating: *  *  *  *  *

The protagonist in The Lunchbox wistfully laments “We forget things if we have no one to tell them to” Truer words were never spoken. Directed by Ritesh Batra, the film has several moments, dialogues and scenes where nothing is said but yet it stays with you long after the film is over. It’s time to uncork a bottle of champagne and celebrate one of the best films you’ll ever get to see.

 Moreover, it is so heartening to see that films like these are being made and are reaching out to the audiences. Here’s more power to the spirit of independent films and things can only get better if the likes of Karan Johar add their voice to it. Viva!

The film touches upon on love, loneliness, nostalgia, longing and which better city than Mumbai to tell the story. Mr. Fernandes (Irrfan, super brilliant) is an accountant who is on the verge of retirement. He lives all alone, leads a lonely life and his wife is long gone. In another part of the city, we have Ila (Nimrat Kaur, excellent) who is trying to bring the spark back in her marriage. With considerable help from her neighbor who is heard not seen (the distinct voice of Bharti Acherekar), she cooks a dabba (tiffin) for her husband.

The problem is, instead of going to her husband, the tiffin lands on Mr. Fernandes table. Gradually, the two start interacting by sending letters to each other in the tiffin. A trainee accountant (Nawazuddin Siddique) joins his office and the joy those letters bring in his life makes Mr.Fernandes a more friendly man. Even the neighborhood kids start liking, not that he was a person otherwise, he was just more reserved.

There are strange and simple things in life that can make one happy to the extent of changing his or her personality.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Mathilukal (Walls, 1989) was about a jailed man who falls in love with a lady in the next compound but never meets but here Batra uses the city to tell a story that is more than about just two individuals.

In one of his epistles, he tells Ila that he has been offered a vertical burial plot – “I’ve spent my life standing in trains and buses and now I will have to stand even when I’m dead.” he laments. And what could be a better description of the city –“There are too many people and everyone wants what the other has” he says.

Virtually every scene in the film offers more than just what is shown or said. And it is not a serious film all the way, take the dabbawallah scene where he argues with the Ila that even Harvard university came to see them and so did English royalty!

On the technical front, it is exquisitely shot by Michael Simmonds with razor sharp editing by John Lyons. Nimrat Kaur as the housewife has delivered an extra ordinary performance. She has captured all the nuances of her character with precision. You would expect Nawazuddin Siddique to nail it and of course he does. Irrfan Khan however dishes out more than you expect. His performance is in the league of the best you have ever seen on the silver screen.

Do what you please but don’t miss The Lunchbox. 

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