Review: "The President Is Coming" (Satire-Goody)

THE PRESIDENT IS COMING (2009)


Director: Kunaal Roy Kapur
Author: Anuvab Pal
Starring: Konkona Sen Sharma, Shernaz Patel, Shivani Tanksale, Anand Tiwari, Namit Das, Vivek Gomber, Satchit Puranik, Ira Dubey, Imran Rashid, Paul Knox

Plot: It's the year of 2006, a special year - president of the USA, George Bush, will visit India, and one young, talented Indian is going to shake hands with him. Six candidates are chosen with the help of television, but only one can win... Who will be the chosen one: language coach Rohit, cosmetic Archana, social worker Ajay, writer Maya, rich guy Dev or software-nerd Ramesh?








Written the 29th of August 2010
When I had just seen “3 Idiots”, I somehow got used to the thought, that the Indian comedy was slowly going to evolve into something that's actually funny. I had to make up my mind again, when I watched this flick a few days later. “The President Is Coming” is by far the most funny Indian film, I've ever met. It is even considerably funnier than many of the western comedies known by me. In the beginning, it is a little confusing, that the film is described as a “documentary”. But very soon, you realize, that it's a fake documentary with a few real TV-scenes from the archive. The directing is quite unusual and fresh; many of the camera settings make you think of “Big Brother” or “Mitten im Leben” (German reality-TV) – formats that are wonderfully parroted in this film. The cast is perfectly picked and all of the actors really get into their roles (it must have so much fun filming this!). Konkona Sen Sharma is the only real “star”, but her presence does not at all keep the spotlight away from the other performers. It is kind of hard to describe this movie, or to say, what exactly is so funny about it, without ruining everything for you... America, globalization, homosexuality etc. - the film shows what's important in India at the moment, but also what's being not-said. A scene where I just freaked out, was when a TV show, called “Build-Yourself-A-Bush”, was shown. And that's how it goes on and on. Everything and everyone is being made fun of – but also in a loveable kind of way. I slowly got sympathized by the traditional macho type, and at the end even by the horrible, psychotic group leader.

"The President Is Coming” is a modern Indian satire, a first-class one.
Intellectual, but not too much, so that it can still be commercial, but miles away from the 0/8/15 comedies á la Akshay Kumar. (Whom I do like, but he often picks the wrong movies).
A little satirical masterpiece!

Rating: 7.9

Thank you for reading my review,

Mette M. K.

Holiday is what I want... (+ Fav. Movie Holidays)

My christmas holidays have just ended, and now it's back to school & homework. I know, that many of you have already been working since 1st of january, and I'm very sorry for you. You must feel even worse than I do. Or maybe not... My friends and I had a discussion going on today, at school, on whether it's better working or going to school. We came to the conclusion, that school is fun because of the friends you see daily, and the good teachers, but it's also not that fun, because of many teachers that are annoying and do a bad job, and because of the fact, that we actually have to work sooo long. Not only school - afterwards, there's homework and projects and etc. etc.
Now that the holidays have ended, I came to think about holidays in the movies... Thinking about that, I realized, there aren't too many movies including holidays. Anyways, I made a list of my favorite "filmi holidays". And here it is (no special order):

DHOOM: 2 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We were already at the beach of Goa (?) in Dhoom, but as is well-known, Dhoom:2 mainly used its budget for sparkling stars, special-effects and... location!

Men and women with colorful (and not many) clothes, beach-feeling, glowing skin, latino-music... Oh yes, this is holiday-feeling. Add some Hrithik, Aishwarya, Abhishek and optionally Uday, and you have the perfect entertainer (no convincing skript needed).

Dhoom:2 may be totally exaggerated, unnecessary and meaningless, but it's fun (also because of the locations).

CHALTE  CHALTE - Mykonos, Greece

"Suno Na Suno Na, Sunlo Naaaaa....". I even had this DVD twice, but I sold one of them on ebay. A must-see for everyone, Rani's Big Break... got it.

I've never been to Greece, but my parents have, and they loved it. It looks a little like Malta, which is one of my favorite holiday destinations...

Would love to go there one time.


ANJAANA ANJAANI - Las Vegas/NYC/Desert 

Not one of my favorite films (read more about why), but I must admit that it was filmed on great locations... I really like the USA, because its such a large and complex country, but I've only been to Florida.

NYC is a place that I really want to visit one time, as well as Vegas. Funny is, that I actually watched "Hangover" just after watching this one.
The desert scenes were well-filmed, too.

DDLJ - Switzerland

Switzerland, die Schweiz, one of our neighbor countries... Never been there. Might be because its near, but not really near. You know what I mean? It's like, I've never been to Holland, either. No one of my family wants to go there, so... I'll have to wait, until I'm grown up.

Switzerland has been a holiday location in many, many Bollywoodfilms. I've once read, the reason might be, that Switzerland looks a lot like Kashmir, but you can't really go to Kashmir, because there's so much war.

However, a destination that I would like to visit one time (Switzerland and Kashmir).

DIL CHAHTA HAI - Goa, India

The " Dil Chahta Hai fort" has become quite famous after the success of the movie, and you can see some tourists posing on the pictures here.

Goa is not the only place I want to visit in India - I want to travel everywhere in that country. Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal... And I'd also like to see that fort!

Goa has been used as a location in several other films, for example "Aisha" and I think also "Dhoom".

---------------------------------------------------------

These are, off course, just a few of my favorite movie holiday destionations... If you can think of some, just tell me.

Buy the way, how's operation "AFAD" (a film a day) going? Well, good, but I didn't find the time for seeing one today. However, I bought a really expensive DVD today, the Jodhaa Akbar Special Edition for 22EUR! I don't usually buy such expensive DVDs, but I had a gift card, so whatever... Looking forward to see this one, but I have about 6 more DVDs waiting.
By the end of each month, I'm going to write one or two sentences about the films I've seen.

Kaal - Jungle, India
Wild tigers, snakes and ghosts... My worst nightmare absolutely favorite Bollywood holiday destination!

Thanks for reading,
Mette M. K.

Mini-Reviews: "Eastern", Curry-Masala & Trash

One of my "new year's resolutions" (don't like using the designation, because it makes you think of "I want to quit smoking" and "I want to loose weight") is seeing some of the really famous and/ or critically acclaimed (Indian) movies that I haven't seen yet (which there are plenty of). Another one is what I call "A film a day", which is very obvious in understanding: I want to watch one film a day. At least. So, I've been good at it this first week of the year... And among others, I watched "Dabangg", "Sholay" and "Don" ('78). Why these? Well, because they are... really famous. Just what I wanted.

There are, as I found out, many similarities between those three. I love lists, so let's look at it in list form:

• They're slightly (as for "Dabangg": very) unrealistic. Ahem, walking a tightrope with two kids in your arms and a bad leg? (Don).
• They have great soundtracks ("Yeh Dosti", "Munni Badnaam", "Khaike Paan Banaraswaala" etc.)
• They have great actors and actresses (not a big fan of Salman, but I like him more and more)
• They exaggerate
• They are Blockbusters
• I love them (especially "Sholay and Don" - wouldn't watch "Dabangg" too often, but it's also good)

Here's a little more about each of them:

Dabangg (2010) दबंग

In this world, there are two kinds of people: Firstly, the bad guys and secondly, the good guys. And then, there is Salman. When Salman enters the room, a terrifying orchestra of e-guitars and hands being smashed sounds. Salman knows how to handle a lasso (ahem, water hose), how to deliberate new stunts (that are not cloned from Hulk or Matrix) and how to melt a woman's heart. And wen he wants to marry one, he doesn't ask: He just does it. Salman has got them, swiveling hips. He can agitate his belt, squash the sun with his bare hand and he has more hair today, than he had 8 years ago. Salman is fearless, oh yes, he is… Dabangg! (Two G's, very important!).

And if you haven't seen the fence post, on which is written "do NOT take this film seriously", I'm very sorry for you. Though I don't really understand the huge success of "Dabangg", I do have to admit that I couldn't have wished for more entertainment. Even the women don't miss out - admittedly, they're not very important in the plot, but they are presented by good actresses. You can't be very wrong with Dimple Kapadia, as everyone knows, and also the new face, Sonakshi Sinha, is not only a beauty. I do sense this woman's potential and hope that it will be utilized in her next projects.  Since "Ghost", we all knew that men are often attracted by female potters, but this is not the only wisdom we can extract from "Dabangg": Finally I know, that the same sound resounds, when you pack a puch, and when you fall onto the floor with a lot of kinetic energy (without breaking anything). Sonu Sood is, buy the way, no concurrence to Salman Khan, though he's allowed to show his six-pack more often than Sallu. Honestly, can anyone give this man a bra? And a hair-dresser?

However, my advice to you: Flip off your brains and let "Dabangg" take over your DVD-player!
6.4

Don (1978)

"Yes, who is it?". "Don". 

I say it, as it is: Whenever I think of those very famous lines, I automatically hear Shah Rukh's voice. Most people of my generation watch the remakes before having seen the original movies - if that's a good thing, or a bad thing, that's up to you. At all events, it entails that 1) I don't watch the originals very soon (as I'm a little "lazy" concerning old films) and 2) I always look after the differences between the two movies, taking the remake as my initial point. After having seen the original "Don", however, I came to the result that "Don" 2006 is certainly a good movie, but not comparable to its forerunner. It is indeed a little unfair comparing Shah Rukh to Amitabh, because Amitabh will always be a little bit better. I love Shah Rukh, and he is one of the best actors I know, but Amitabhji is… Well, he's Amitabhji. 

"Don" '78 is trash - the best trash I've seen until now. And a piece of film history.

8.5

                                                                                                      

Sholay (1975) शोले                                

My first Masala-Curry-"Eastern"… I had undertaken to see it this year, as I was quite ashamed actually… I mean, you must have seen Sholay! And if it's only because of the quotes and references in newer films… It is film history, in the truest sense of the word (can you say that?). 

Despite overlength: Sholay is cult with 4 BIIIIIG letters!!!!

(This part is very short and uncreative, but I find it hard to describe my feelings about Sholay. It's just a fantastic movie, and I'm so happy that I've finally seen it).

10
















Word explanation
"Eastern"???
Sholay has, among other films, been called an Indian western, because of all the guns and the countryside location. But I don't like that indication, because this is India, we're not in the wild west, we're in the wild east. Not in the countryside, "gaanv men". That's why I call movies like Sholay "Eastern". Simple.


Another resolution
As you may have noticed, there are not yet any entries concerning Kollywood or Tollywood. There's a simple reason for this, too. The reason is, that all I've seen of those until now, is one single movie. Yes, it's true. The movie was "Bumbai" (1995), and the only reason I watched it, was because of Manisha Koirala (buy the way, I miss you Manisha!). But I decided that I need to watch some regional movies, so that's another resolution for 2011. Happily, I have somewhere to start: Since I've watched Rang De Basanti, I'm so crazy about Siddhart, so I'll start by watching some of his movies.

Thank you for reading,

Mette M. K.

Review: "Aashayein" (No Smoking???)

AASHAYEIN (2010) [आशायें]

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Screenplay: Nagesh Kukunoor

Starring: John Abraham, Sonal Sehgal, Anaitha Nair

Plot: Just after winning a fortune via betting, Rahul is diagnosed of having longue cancer. He decides to leave his girlfriend and heads to a hospice situated at the sea. There he meets many different persons, for example a HIV-positive ex-prostitute, the cute little boy Govinda and Padma, a 17 year old girl with blood cancer. What happens then? Good question. Actually: Not much.

Written the 3rd of January 2011

Can you hear me yawn? I'v generously sacrificed my nocturnal hours for giving this movie a chance to entertain me, and what do I get in return: Boredom spiced with a handful of good actors and passable songs.

Still, “Aashayein” has its moments and is at times well entertaining. This is mostly obtained with the help of above-named good actors and music.

"Don't smoke!" - Message of the movie? 

John Abraham, who in the lately tries to establish himself as an actor for challenging roles, makes a good job of it and is able of expressing a wide rang of feelings: In the beginning he's airily and casual, but a little later, the distress and panic, caused by the disease, come through.Furthermore, his presentation never seems melodramatic or exaggerated – except for the Indiana Jones sequences, which were too abstruse for me. But that wasn't John's fault. Off course, he looks splendid as always and is even allowed to melt the hearts of two women. One of the hearts belongs to Padma, played by Anaitha Nair, who already caught my attention in “Chak De India”. She's one of the newcomers we should keep an eye on, especially because we don't have to worry about overdressed, trivial role choices. In my last review (“Dil Chahta Hai”), I already mentioned the problem of too many films pairing a too young heroine with an older hero. It is like that in this film, but the subject is at the same time being given more attention than in other films, and also provokes more, as the audience is somehow hoping for something to happen between the two of them. An interesting sensing of the borders, which I, just like in “Nishabd”, liked very much. “Aashayein” also offers some decent supporting actors, such as Farida Jalal and Sonal Sehgal, who indeed aren't too important, but at least they don't annoy.

Why is she doing on the poster?

Biggest problem of the film is in my book simply the script. It has several flaws and it's just that factor, that mostly destroys a film experience for me. (More about that here). The film is concerned with two not easy subjects: death and disease. A film about those two things has to walk a tightrope: on one hand, it has to show the earnestness of these factors and be realistic. But on the other hand, it needs to add a certain amount of hope, filmic freedom and humour. Finding the balance between those can be very difficult, and in my mind, this is where “Aashayein” fails. The humor is at times funny, at others though too black and acid-tongued. Concerning the subject of disease and death, I have two opinions about that. The diseases of the hospice residents proceed in a very realistic way, but some other scenes seemed very crass and particularly unrealistic to me. 1) Without answering back for a long time, a nurse gives euthanasia to one of the patients, and after she's passed away smiling, the subjects is never taken up again, nor is the sister in any ways being sued. 2) The Indiana Jones scenes. I already mentioned them, and they were just needless. They could just have been leaved out and instead, Govinda, who narrates the story, could have been shown. This resolution would have raised the level.

I also didn't like the end. Just as in thousands of other films, the makers have not understood the difference of an appropriate happy-end and it should be made. And finally, the mentioned boredom... To everyone who has in mind to watch this film, I can only recommend listening to the song “Aashayein” from “Iqbal”. It is more exciting, more sensitive and if you still don't like it, you don't have to suffer for a long time.

Rating: 3.9

Thank you for reading my review,
Mette M. K.

Review: Dil Chahta Hai

DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001)

Director: Farhan Akhtar

Screenplay: Farhan Akhtar & Kassim Jagmagia

Starring: Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Dimple Kapadia

Plot: "Dil Chahta Hai" tells the story of the three friends Akash, Samir and Siddhart. It's about how the three of them change, fall in love and grow up, and how strong their friendship is in the end. (I know, this sounds worn-out, but don't judge before seeing!). 

Written the 2nd of January 2011

As you can read out of the plot description, we're not fed a new story, but that can, as is generally known, also be lovely – provided that the whole thing is freshened up a little. Be it via new perspectives, eminently good actors, a great soundtrack... or a little bit of everything. That's probably what Farhan Akhtar, who debuted as a director with this one, thought too, when he puzzled out what became one of the most known Bollywood films nowadays. (By the by, I'm a big appreciator of Farhan Akhtar's work and happy to have seen all of his scheduled work by now).

The three friends

The result, which may celebrate its 10st birthday this year, can be seen, and is now as then surrounded by some fresh air, to which, among other things, the great actors contribute. Many of them are high-profiled performers today. Aamir Khan, who in the same year tightened his position in Bollywood by means of Laagan, gave one of his best shots again. Accustomed down-to-earth, but not boring, he plays the buffoon Akash, and in some scenes almost eclipses his colleagues Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna. Still, those two are in full cry in “Dil Chahta Hai”. While Saif has been somewhat disappointing with his choice of films in the last past years, he doesn't leave anything to be desired in what's often dealt as his big break. He's the perfect cast for the charming womanizer Samir, in spite of some dubiously fashionable outfits. The third party is Akshaye, who gives one of his best performances here. Though he, just like Aamir, is no “classic beauty”, he's very well able to inspire as the gentle artist Sid, and soon catches the sympathy of the audience. His love to an older woman appears to be cordial and honest and is one of the best ideas of the writers. There are still to many films with old men and young women, that don't even question the age difference, and not enough with an opposite constellation. Dimple Kapadia plays Tara and I really liked her in this role – she has a calm aura, through which you can slightly see her insecurity and sadness. I also believe that Tara, in her very heart, loved Sid, but didn't feel she had enough power to listen to it and break the traditions. Sonali Kulkarni, who plays Samir's big love Pooja, isn't really worth mentioning, as her role is rather exchangeable and unimportant. And finally, there's Preity Zinta, my favorite actress, who sadly isn't very present in these days. As always, she is, in face of an unthankful hair styling, enchanting and fully fills out her role. She also makes a cute couple with Aamir, in some scenes, a concentrated passion springs up between the two of them; I'm talking about the famous metro scene, where the door shuts between Akash and Shalini... For one moment, their expressions change and the feelings are at once as touchable as the door between them. That's something I call real acting talent, and I was just captured by that scene... The two are convincing all through the film, and I still wonder how they succeeded in making that opera scene not seem kitschy.

A cute jodi - Aamir & Preity

Another great “couple” is the threesome of Aamir, Saif and Akshaye. The three boys'/ men's friendship is convincing and realistic (apart from the fact that a tiny comment destroys the friendship for such a long time, but we'll save that under dramaturgic freedom). This whole wonderful and interesting story (which, buy the way, doesn't get boring though its three hours), is also backed up by great locations, a fresh soundtrack and well done filming. Sydney, Goa and Bombay are portrayed beautifully, but in a realistic way, by Ravi K. Chandran. The soundtrack by S-E-L is youthful and stays in your head, and it enhances the story instead of unnecessarily deviating from it. 

I could go on praising this film, but I think it's enough for today. “Dil Chahta Hai” lives up to its promise: It's an ode to friendship, with all its highs and lows, and a remembrance, that there's a soulmate for everyone. All of that may sound really kitschy to you, but it's been permuted resourcefully and hence remains a true milestone of Bollywood – a must-see.

Rating: 9.9

Thank you for reading my review, 

Mette M. K.