I woke up early in the morning two days ago to ensure that I could book tickets for Dasavatharam. Left early from work, beat the traffic, picked up the family and ran to ensure that I could see Dasavatharm in full. I did see it in full and in this case as far as I am concerned it was a case of a glass half empty.
As we often justify something we make locally...Amazing quality for a tamil movie, great action for an Indian movie, did you see the 20 roles that actor did, Isn't he amazing! But if you really do think about it, these are justifications for our own limitations or incompetence. Any actor is supposed to act and play the roles. Be it one role, 10 roles in one movie or 200 roles in the same movie. Expecting an actor to act is an entitlement. In that case, was the acting adequate in this movie. Yes to nearly all the Indian characters played by Kamal. The grand-ma was really Avvai Shanmukhi after 20 years. The tall guy clearly fit the minority quota. Avtaar singh was there for the sake of satisfying the north indian quota. Two performances that stood out were that of the Son of the soil, and Naidu, the RAW agent. Was as close to Kamal as I always want to see him...someone who trusts his acting skills the most and uses make-up to just make-it up a little. The Americans (2) and Japanese were more of the fancy elements. If we were to consider Kamal to be someone who grew up in Paramakudi till yesterday and spoke like an American today, I accept that this movie is a significant achievement. But that was not the case here.
When Ulaga Nayagan takes over, you expect global standards. Here you see make-up that was similar to what the Jim Carrey had in Mask, after he wore the mask! The president character, the CIA character, the Japanese character stuck out like sore thumbs. Will appeal to the jingoist to proudly beat his chest and say "Namma aalu nalla pannirukkan".
Tell me something! Why do all people who learn fighting in India in the movies have to move their head the same damn way before they make a strike...you know the way they release the stress in their head and put sodukku in their hands. In this case it was funny to see the Japanese Kamal and the American Kamal do it. And I thought the Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor dialogs were extremely primitive in style. We need some classy lines please like the discussions that happened in the train and in the river bed and on the Tsumami shores on God, Science, Environment.
Just because we have Computer Graphics people sitting on bench in India they should not have run riot on the screen. And while these are amazing graphics for a tamil movie, it was such a let down. Why the hell do you need graphics in the Railway train, Why do you need the camera to move in all those wierd angles in the opening sequences...the main problem was that the computer graphics were never subtle. They were announcing their presence all the time!
Sujatha, the writer, used to say that the beginning and the end need to be good for a powerful story. The end of the movie is based on a recent calamity. Interesting thought! The opening was based on an absorbing century episode, which was really needless but what the hell, it was good. But it is the middle that sags. The story really tracks a vial. The US part was poorly acted and directed. I really hate it when Japanese want to talk tamil. Kudos to Gowtham in Vettayaadu where he had everyone talk in English in the US. Where Kamal the story writer does injustice to an interesting beginning and a novel end is when he bends the story (actually stretches it) to introduce other characters and satisfy his ego. Would these characters be there if it was not Dasavatharam but Panchamukam? We lose all the interesting discussions on God and science and they just go by! When the ego interferes the story goes for a six and gets my thumbs down vote.
One word on the music...the songs...Hopeless!
Thus in the same way that Nambi resolutely holds on to the Ashtaacksharam even when he faces death, and as Nakkeerar famously said to the Pachaakshara , I hold on to my opinion, this movie fails. I do write this with sadness since you really know that Kamal could have done such a good job.
Nallathor veenai seithe....
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Theatre 4 Theatre - The Reading @ Opus
Went to hear the reading of Jean Paul Savage and the Reichenbach Fall at the Opus tonight. This is part of BLT's Theatre for Theatre. Good attempt. Not necessarily supper theatre, but in a genre where you can listen to a play while you munch and chew.
The only catch in this evening's performance was no one told the traffic outside to shut-up! Every time there was a green light, the honks would start. And you could not hear the actors. Even in the noise, we did manage to catch a few jokes, good ones at that.
I think it is a good attempt by BLT to do this and the team that put it together. However, the next time let us get some mikes please.
I hope we can actually get to see the play soon as well...with out the traffic and on stage
The only catch in this evening's performance was no one told the traffic outside to shut-up! Every time there was a green light, the honks would start. And you could not hear the actors. Even in the noise, we did manage to catch a few jokes, good ones at that.
I think it is a good attempt by BLT to do this and the team that put it together. However, the next time let us get some mikes please.
I hope we can actually get to see the play soon as well...with out the traffic and on stage
Sunday, September 23, 2007
And now for something completely BORING!!! - A Rant
I went in with a lot of expectations for EVAM's show in Bangalore today. They called it "And now for something completely different", the funniest comedy show ever. You cannot believe how bad it was. I met a few faces I knew. And I know they have a funny bone, miles better than I do. And it was a universal verdict, BORING! I needed to get this out of my system otherwise, I cannot sleep. This blog is supposed to be my gentler side...yeah right! Did I tell you I hated it! And others detested it as well. There was a whole group that walked out to go to Lalitha's parathas during the interval. It was that bad.
From what little I know, comedy is not about wanting to be funny, but actually being funny. I felt that EVAM had taken the audience for granted. There were many people who wanted to laugh desperately, but it just did not happen. Of course, I met a couple of people who said that they had a good time. I felt pity...Their lives must really suck! Did I tell you that I hated the play!
The disappointment is doubled because, I am amazed at the guts of these guys Sunil, Karthik to do Evam as a business. It is terrific that they took the risk and dared to dream. I think they have built a brand rather assiduously and have a dedicated bunch of followers in Bangalore. Their is hype and their shows are sell outs. (Aside: I know what it is to desperately try and have a 1/2 filled show!). But I feel that they are taking the crowd for granted. If the bad word spreads (I am sure it will after the show I saw), then people will want to see more quality. Not just guffaws. Todays performance was a disappointment because the team tried too hard with their accent and squeaky voices (GOD some body as Karthik to talk normally). The timing was not there. There was a couple of new things. Something on Thalaivar - Da Boss, which I liked. There was this concept of using dancers to double as stage hands. There were some silly jokes that I smiled. May be I am being too harsh here. May be it was a bad show, but then again may be not! All I got to see was this one show and I did not like it. We know that by now, don't we!!!
From what little I know, comedy is not about wanting to be funny, but actually being funny. I felt that EVAM had taken the audience for granted. There were many people who wanted to laugh desperately, but it just did not happen. Of course, I met a couple of people who said that they had a good time. I felt pity...Their lives must really suck! Did I tell you that I hated the play!
The disappointment is doubled because, I am amazed at the guts of these guys Sunil, Karthik to do Evam as a business. It is terrific that they took the risk and dared to dream. I think they have built a brand rather assiduously and have a dedicated bunch of followers in Bangalore. Their is hype and their shows are sell outs. (Aside: I know what it is to desperately try and have a 1/2 filled show!). But I feel that they are taking the crowd for granted. If the bad word spreads (I am sure it will after the show I saw), then people will want to see more quality. Not just guffaws. Todays performance was a disappointment because the team tried too hard with their accent and squeaky voices (GOD some body as Karthik to talk normally). The timing was not there. There was a couple of new things. Something on Thalaivar - Da Boss, which I liked. There was this concept of using dancers to double as stage hands. There were some silly jokes that I smiled. May be I am being too harsh here. May be it was a bad show, but then again may be not! All I got to see was this one show and I did not like it. We know that by now, don't we!!!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Flame of the Forest - Not So Bright!
I saw the Flame of the Forest performed by Just Us Repertory at Ranga Shankara today. It is based on a Tamil Novel by Kalki called Sivakamiyin Sabatham. After sitting through a very good performance by the team, I left unsatisfied. I was wondering why. After reflection and intense discussions with my parents (fellow fans of Kalki's works), here is my take.
The factors that were an integral part of Kalki's story, the characterization, the purpose of the characters and the purpose of the story itself was absent in the play. I was able to understand the play because I was aware of the story. But if this were presented to someone who has no idea of the story, I wonder whether they would have been able to appreciate it. While the playwright tried to make the events very contemporary through citing war being incited by religion, or the futility of war, I could not really empathize with any of the characters. It was as though I was looking at a nice album on someone else coffee table. The greatness of reading Kalki's story is the ability to feel that you are part of the action. Here you were sitting back and watching it unfold. Neither did I feel the futility what Mahendra Pallava felt, nor sorry for Sivakami. Talking about Sivakami, where was Sivakamiyin Sabatham (or the oath of Sivakami)?
There are several ways of telling a story and every person should have the liberty to choose how they tell it. In this version of telling the events, you have Paranjothi (or Siruthondar) as the Sutradhar. Balakrishnan playing this part as well as Pulikesi and Shatrugna's son was absolutely superb. He was so convincing in each of the roles he played. The gent who played Mahendra Pallavan was good, but one felt that he was holding back as Vajrabahu. The ensemble was excellent. Sivakami, the young and old. were well rendered. Sivakami, the younger one, played by Mythili Prakash was very expressive and I am sure an accomplished dancer. One tinge, that I felt was she made sure that every instant she was on stage (even when she was not dancing), she reminded everyone that she is a dancer! She could "chill out" a bit. The director chose to play the part of the older Sivakami. She played to her strength of singing and did not not come out as a dancer!
When I was leaving the auditorium when all was said and done, I missed Naganandhi (the amazing chalu villain monk), I missed Maamallan, I missed Sivakami and her Sabatham. But that was compensated by the fact, that I enjoyed Parnjothi and Mahendra Pallavan. I liked the poetry and music and a new way of doing an Indian play. But still there was that what if....
The factors that were an integral part of Kalki's story, the characterization, the purpose of the characters and the purpose of the story itself was absent in the play. I was able to understand the play because I was aware of the story. But if this were presented to someone who has no idea of the story, I wonder whether they would have been able to appreciate it. While the playwright tried to make the events very contemporary through citing war being incited by religion, or the futility of war, I could not really empathize with any of the characters. It was as though I was looking at a nice album on someone else coffee table. The greatness of reading Kalki's story is the ability to feel that you are part of the action. Here you were sitting back and watching it unfold. Neither did I feel the futility what Mahendra Pallava felt, nor sorry for Sivakami. Talking about Sivakami, where was Sivakamiyin Sabatham (or the oath of Sivakami)?
There are several ways of telling a story and every person should have the liberty to choose how they tell it. In this version of telling the events, you have Paranjothi (or Siruthondar) as the Sutradhar. Balakrishnan playing this part as well as Pulikesi and Shatrugna's son was absolutely superb. He was so convincing in each of the roles he played. The gent who played Mahendra Pallavan was good, but one felt that he was holding back as Vajrabahu. The ensemble was excellent. Sivakami, the young and old. were well rendered. Sivakami, the younger one, played by Mythili Prakash was very expressive and I am sure an accomplished dancer. One tinge, that I felt was she made sure that every instant she was on stage (even when she was not dancing), she reminded everyone that she is a dancer! She could "chill out" a bit. The director chose to play the part of the older Sivakami. She played to her strength of singing and did not not come out as a dancer!
When I was leaving the auditorium when all was said and done, I missed Naganandhi (the amazing chalu villain monk), I missed Maamallan, I missed Sivakami and her Sabatham. But that was compensated by the fact, that I enjoyed Parnjothi and Mahendra Pallavan. I liked the poetry and music and a new way of doing an Indian play. But still there was that what if....
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