Hawaii (2013)

 In the sea of intense series and films, with strong dialogues and racy stories, watching Hawaii is like meditation. Like a beautiful wildflower slowly blooming in the grassy meadow, this film calms the mind and refreshes it with its tranquillity. This story of two men who become friends and later, fall in love, is simple and serene. Based in Argentina, a homeless young man comes back to the town where he grew up, looking for his relatives. But on discovering that they don't live in the town he is forced to live like a hippie. He then stumbles on his childhood friend Eugenio, who is kind to him and offers him work and stay. Though most of the film is very quiet with a very simple direction following the daily lives of these two decent young men, the director very delicately unfolds the feelings that develop between these two friends. After being used to intense storylines, nail-biting suspense, and hard-hitting scenes and dialogues, Hawaii will rejuvenate the harrowed mind of the film buff. The silences with very little dialogue and the simple being of the characters in every frame are such a welcome change. In strong contrast to most gay films where the sexual tension is the elementary part of the storytelling, Hawaii barely uses it in the storyline. More than the attraction, the longing, and togetherness of these two souls unfolds beautifully. The attraction that both feel is subtly yet distinctly portrayed. This is just the kind of story the gay community the world over needs. Where sexual obsession is replaced by the delicateness of feelings, emotions, and companionship. The happily ever after is when Eugenio conveys his feelings to Martin in an innocent deed that warms you up and fills the heart.

#hawaii2013 #filmreview

The Married Woman

 A Married Woman is based on Manju Kapoor's book with the same title. I haven't read the book but I can say with confidence that it is a very good one. I will definitely say that this is one of the best Indian web series I have watched so far. I rank it amongst the top series with Asur and Made in Heaven. Maybe because it is an adaptation of the book, the makers were able to write a series of such depth and meaning and execute it to perfection. The characters are mature and complete. The narrative is fierce, intense yet deeply emotional. 

There are two worlds in this story and the characters from both worlds sort of confront each other through the eight episodes. Two ideologies, traditions vs modernism, battling it out through characters that are fierce advocates of their respective ideologies makes the series compelling and engrossing. One looks forward to the interactions and sort of underlying debates that go on in superb articulate dialogues. In the backdrop of serious communal conflict and in a conservative India which still did not permit unconventional love, these various conflicts have been used to tell a love story that blossoms beautifully. On one side we have the Indian culture manual following family, as opposed to free-thinking characters who do not believe in any boundaries, some of them fall prey to religious fanaticism. And one person is stuck between the two worlds pulled by societal chains on one side and self-realizing freedom on the other. All of this is communicated not only through dialogue but every element including the costume and design. And they are interspersed with urdu shayari that give you goosebumps. This is one of those series in which some dialogues will always be remembered. 

"For the first time in my life, I experienced freedom. Wife, Teacher, Hindu, Muslim, Punjabi, these man-made identities, he removed all these and saw me for who I am. I saw myself in his eyes. Free. " 

"You opened your heart completely in the very first meet. Totally bare with all the cracks"

The concept of pansexuality in itself is a new idea even for people of alternate sexuality. For once, it was not so much about sexuality, but about love, bonding, and companionship. 

Riddhi Dogra has given a stupendous performance. She is controlled, courageous and brilliant in every scene. Monica looks effortless on the screen but I am not sure if the work was. She has a presence on the screen that fits the character of Peeplika like a glove. Exception yet natural storytelling makes this series a must-watch. Kudos to writers Jaya Misra, Surabhi Sarat, and Aparna Nadig. 

Rating : 4.25 / 5 

His Storyy

                              

The number of gay men married to women in India is huge. They did this to escape social bigotry. Homophobia in India, and all over the world, is so prevalent even today that most of the LGBTQ ++ community doesn't have a choice but to suppress and suffer in silence. Imagine if you couldn't date and be in relationships freely. You had to keep pretending that you are a different person than what you are. And all this so people don't hate you. They don't bully, target, and malign you as they please.  It's even difficult to imagine that. And while doing all this you get suffocated and snubbed by your own self asking you to be careful of what you say, how you say it, when you say it and to whom you speak to. And you continue this existence and get married to a woman to fulfill the world's expectations and one cannot begin to imagine that life after marriage. 

Indians live socially complex lives. Even in the so-called elite, well-educated, champagne-drinking, gourmet food, wealthy businessmen, and eclectic food critics, scenario our lives are complicated because we live them in our relationships. Homophobia, body shaming, bigotry, and misogyny see no class, pedigree, or education. They infect and decompose even the upper crust. 

This is the essence of "His Storyy" the new gay love story series on ALTBalaji. The series deals with the emotions of every character involved in the life of a gay man married to a woman, in a very evolved manner. It is complete in the sense that it has all the imaginable parts of an Indian gay story. The revelation of the catastrophe so to say and the emotional coping of every person connected to the gay protagonist is depicted superbly. 

This story has all the ingredients one can expect. We have the toxic masculinity, the misogyny, elite successful women, the closeted gay teenager and his fag hag, the married gay man, and his faithful loving wife. They all have been tossed in to make this spread of several course gourmet meals in an elitist restaurateur background with the gorgeous food critic. But somehow the food tastes undercooked. The toxicity is overwhelming.  The corporate-like formality in many scenes leaves a dry palate. It seems as if the chef had the right ingredients but hasn't done justice to them.

The characterization is jumpy and jerky, The storyline is full of cliches and completely detached. I am not sure if the audience will connect to the series as a whole. The gay couple seems very plastic and passionless. They seem to be trying very hard to appear masculine for a gay story.  Were the makers playing safe by choosing a high society set-up? Is it easier for the well-educated to accept alternate choices? Isn't the story of the gay married man too plain and linear? Doesn't it need more depth and intensity? These are a few questions I have for the writer and director. 

#hisstoryy #gayseries #altbalaji #zee5 #critic #seriesreview #lgbtgseries #lgbt

Rating : 3 / 5

The Serpent

After a long time, I had a nail-biting experience while watching something. Riveting and absorbing, 'The Serpent' presents the modus operandi of Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer whose victims were hippies traveling through southeast Asia during the hippie movement in an interesting chronological narrative. It is amazing how the makers have made the story thrilling even though it vacillates between two different timelines. It can be a bit confusing as most of the time we are used to just a few flashbacks in a story. But here the entire series happens that way but once you get used to it, it's quite gripping. What makes the show that good is the exceptional performances of Tahir Rahim as the protagonist Charles Sobhraj. The ice-cold, vane ruthlessness that Tahir brings is pivotal to the whole series. He is one of the perfect avatars of portrayal of evil as the central character of the plot. Billy Howle as Knippenberg is the counter to balance out Charles. His depiction of the obsession with Charles is admirable. The cat and mouse chase between these two across the Asian hippie route is kind of exotic and exciting to follow. I always wondered how the hippie culture/ movement could have been and this series definitely gives us a taste of it. Must watch!

Ajeeb Daastaans

Four different stories combined into one film. Majnu, Khilauna, Geeli Pucchi, Ankahi.Four new experiences in Indian cinema. It's as if a new threshold has been crossed in filmmaking and storytelling. Each story has a distinct personality of its own. The only thing in common is they all have a twist in the end. It reminds me of Jeffrey Archers' short story collection 'A twist in the tail'. Our lives are not linear but quite complicated. And the relationships that shape our lives have many layers. Though they are not uncovered we live inside these layers of complex thoughts and emotions. It is not always easy to interpret all of the emotions and feelings. This is what makes for real stories hidden in each of our lives. Ajeeb Daastaans tries to unearth and peel these layers in its stories. It is very plausible to see our lives in these stories because all these stories are inspired by real life. The suffering of a gay man and his wife, the oppression and suppression of a lesbian backward caste woman, a dystopic story of two sisters, and a story about the emotions of the deaf and mute, the film tries to unearth the complex character of loss and gain in human lives. Nushrat Bharucha, Konana Sen Sharma, and Jaideep Ahlawat deserve special mention for their exceptional performances. Kudos to the four directors to present this story in this interesting format and having a common theme in very different and original stories.

Rating - 4 / 5

Tribhanga

 

Marathi performing arts have the unique character of simple stories presented with great profundity. Their no-frills nature makes way for intense and stoic storytelling. The works offer the audience deep meaning and poignant experiences. Tribhanga has both Marathi and Hindi dialogues but the soul of the film is essentially Marathi. Cinema in India across languages and borders is celebrating womanhood and breaking shackles of misogyny and patriarchy. Tribhanga is one such story that celebrates womanhood in her independent and pioneering avatar. A story of three generations of women, this film delves deep into the emotions and sentiments of the mother-daughter relationship. Often children resent certain aspects of their parents and through their life, decide to not repeat the mistakes their parents made. By doing so they feel they will protect their own children from the chaos and suffering they have been through. But more often than not they end up making the same mistakes and the cycle continues. This goes on to say that resentment and guilt always trap us into a vicious cycle. The only escape from it is to forgive and let go. 

Tribhanga is also the story of women who chose to live life on their own terms. While doing that they spend most of their lives overcoming the conforms of society. A woman who chose to be single and have multiple partners was accused of being promiscuous. Another had to deal with the responsibilities of a family coming in the way of her work and passion. We often celebrate women who manage to have a career and home and do the "balancing" act successfully. But why do their lives have to be such a struggle? Why cant their lives be as easy as a man's who is able to realize his work and passion without the anguish and difficulty that a woman in his place has to? Hopefully, things are changing in the 21st century. Like I said earlier, this is a wonderful film that spells out smaller nuances of womanhood through great dialogue and masterful storytelling.

This is a great piece of work by Renka Shahane as she has done it by choosing the perfect cast. Kajol is at her expected best as Anu; a master at her craft steering the ship with great aplomb. Tanvi Azmi has gives her best as another lead of this film. Mithila is sweet and adorable completing the experience of the film.

Rating - 3.9 / 5 

The Crown S3 & S4

                                                                               

I watched Season 3 quite late after it's release. It gave me a good base for Season 4. S3 continues at the same pace as the previous seasons though the transformation for the next season took place somewhere from the middle episodes of S3. As we progress into the S4 we get to see some real challenges that the royal family deals with. From Thatcher's government to Charles's love affair and wedding, this season is by far the most riveting of all.  The magnanimity of the royal family and their palaces have been done complete justice through stellar cinematography in both seasons. The reserved coldness and lack of emotion play out aggressively in the S4. Even though Princess Margaret has in store a riot of laughter in one episode, every member of the family sacrifices their passions and desires for the dignity of the sovereign.  The queen herself being at the helm of it all. There is great power in not doing anything is what she says, and it's also the most difficult thing to do. But the suffering of each of the characters of the royal family can be felt strongly as if a volcano of emotions is being suppressed and killed. In Shawshank Redemption the character "Red" says that prison is all about routines that are done every day without purpose or meaning. To draw a royal parallel, the royalties are imprisoned in the riches of Buckingham Palace; however magnificent and grand this prison maybe. Large empty rooms with grandiose interiors and paintings look fabulous but do they make it home? Or is it a glorified prison with the sovereign keeping up the idea of the Windsor monarchy?

There has been a lot of hype about Princess Diana's life and story in media, but the story of Prince Charles has not been dealt with the same seriousness. His suffering and deprivation of the life he wanted have been shown brilliantly in the series. Josh O Connor playing Prince Charles, contains the whirlwind of his emotions so well, you will feel his suppression in all his scenes. Emma Corrin playing Princess Diana is this cute puppy that needs a whole lotta love; she doesn't even get a fraction of it. And caught between the devil (royalty) and the deep sea (marriage)  her suffocation plays out harshly. Gillian Flynn plays Margaret Thatcher. Although she is really good she will always be compared to Meryll Streep in Iron Lady. Olivia Colman delivers what is expected of her, however, loses the limelight to Josh and Emma. There are some scenes that are pivotal and essential to the whole series. The chat between the Duke and Diana in the last episode, towards the end, conveys the essence of the whole story succinctly.

A must watch if you are a sucker for British movies and series. It is one of the most defining works in its's genre.

Rating - 3.8 / 5