Film Reviews by RM

A timeless film, which depicts real life in any society. The moral being, as said in the film twice, one cannot look after one's parents after they are dead.

As relevant to India in 2021 as it was in 1965. Strangely enough, in that very year, I said similar things, and was roundly condemned by all my mother's friends until they themselves discovered the nefarious activities of that great man (mahapurush).

The dialogue is very witty and amusing eg the holy man chanting om-nivorous, om-nibus, etc. Even funnier if you can understand Bengali or Hindi.

The documentary portrays life in America up to 1987, when James Baldwin died. But as events in 2020 and 2021 show, not that much has improved for the black people whose ancestors were smuggled into the US to be enslaved, brutalised and murdered almost at will.

Racism is alive and well in the US, and lends support to all those people in other countries who think nothing of maltreating black people or other minorities. Such behaviour instead of creating a great civilisation is actually destroying it, whether the citizens are able to understand it or not. What a waste.

How can the world ever be a happy or wholesome place when one group takes pleasure in dehumanising another?

I have not read this story, Meghe Dhaka Tara, by Shaktipada Rajguru (not Tagore as stated above).

Seemingly, the film shows how characters are formed/(de)formed by extreme poverty. But in my opinion, it also shows how some people, driven by their noble nature , are prepared to make whatever sacrifice is required of them, even when they know they are being exploited by other family members. (I know of several similar situations in both eastern and western families, so it is not a cultural thing, rather a demonstration of the noble human nature. On a larger scale, when the 'family' is the whole society/country some people have risen to the challenge of sacrificing their whole life.)

Very well acted. Direction of the period.

A thought-provoking film, albeit sad.

Two stories of two teenage girls, both poorly educated but with developed personalities, set in Bengal village settings over a century ago - exploring aspects of feminine independence and free will, against very different socio-economic settings.

One cannot watch them and not become more aware of and sympathetic towards women's desire to be able to decide for themselves and wish to be appreciated and loved for themselves - particularly in a patriarchal society.

Two must-watch, thought-provoking, gripping stories, beautifully acted and directed.

NB: The dvd is classified as genre: Bollywood. It definitely is not!

The film is based on the 1916 novel, 'Ghare Baire' by the great Rabindranath Tagore.

The novel is very thought-provoking as it addresses a wide range of human, social and political issues. At a human level, it touches on the wife's independence within a Hindu marriage of the period in pursuing her own political views even if they run counter to the husband's, as well as the most delicate subject of the 'freedom to explore' romantic interests outside of marriage. At a social level, it highlights the need for religious/cultural tolerance and coexistence in a country like India where the Muslims and the Hindus live side by side in many parts of India (with a complex history of suppression and oppression over the centuries). It also shows how innocent people, on all sides, are usually misinformed, provoked, and eventually fall prey to acting in terrible/inhuman ways. At a political level, it juxtaposes the economic necessity to be self-sufficient and not be exploited by a colonial power, against the need to be sensitive towards the immediate consequences of any commercial boycott on all those who are dependent on cheaper products and the retail outlets that sell them.

All the main roles could have been played with a lot more passion and intensity, but maybe the film aims to reflect the restrained social norms of the early 20th century.

The issues raised are universal, and are hot topics even today, in many countries of the world!

'Ghare Baire' is a great novel, and would lend itself to a re-make to reflect the present-day situation in India in 2021.

A precisely captured portrayal of the declining fortunes of a Bengali landed-family (zamindar) - as the good fortune slips away inexorably (through poor management of the estate and airs and graces and the lavish spending of better times long gone), with a contrasting vignette of the rise of a self-made businessman. The zamindars flourished until the late 19th century, and the film appears to portray Bengal society in the early 20th century.

The human frailties presented are all too universal and ageless - change the location and the story could be set in any region, in any age, in any society.

All the roles exquisitely performed. Film direction and filming (in black and white) are superb by any standards, although the film was released in 1958. The atmosphere, costumes, music, and dance all match perfectly - as far as I can tell from reading novels of the period and photographs/paintings of the time.

We enjoyed it, and thoroughly recommend it.

Brilliant acting by all main characters. Comic contrast between Olivier's formal role and Monroe's playful character. Entertaining and fun. Family viewing.

A 1957 film, but does not feel dated because it was portraying a historic period (1911).

DVD beautifully produced.

One of the best performances by Marilyn Monroe in a role showcasing her acting skills and unique tongue-in-cheek comic charm. For Laurence Olivier, this was a light-hearted departure from his usual weighty roles.

Untypical Agatha Christie storyline in the sense that there was not much detection work or building up of evidence, and the crime is exposed through unchallenged suppositions.

Good suspense and twists, but not as satisfying as a detective story. Good acting. Appropriately atmospheric. Pity about the unnecessary repetition of the gory murder scenes (otherwise 4 stars).