Feb 12, 2004 07:43 PM
5263 Views
(Updated Feb 12, 2004 07:43 PM)
....IS HOW MY Favourite take on this movie goes. Two disenchanted ladies, let down badly by a deadbeat guy, getting together and shaking their blubbery hips to the tune of - Dildo la re, do la re...
It couldn't have gotten better than this. Sort of like coming of age of hindi movie heroines, breaking all stereotypes and in what style! (all albeit unknowingly).
Guy eyes the girl, in turn girl gives a trademark crooked glance - acts coquettish, guy mutters something and from then on chemistry takes over. This is how most of the 'classic' love stories go and Devdas is no different. Right down to the stream of irritating sequences in between which seemingly hold the plot together.
A typical Bollywood mega budget & over hyped movie, Devdas got it all. Apparently, the gung ho director shot the movie with all six cylinders fired. He spent like a million bucks on it - huge exotic sets, gharana bred personal dance instructors for the two main ladies, haute couture clothing even on the sidekicks.
And you bet it shows. The movie is one huge veritable eye feast. (The two ladies hold court by breaking into flashy foot work every now and then). Unless you happen to be watching it in an old dingy theatre with spiders bobbing up & down and the accoustics sounding more like rapid fire percussions, chances are the movie will hold you spell bound.
This is primarily what I liked about Devdas. Not to forget the iconoclastic characterization of the protagonist who takes up extreme escapism(in the form of booze) , the means which eventually lead to a ruptured liver and an overshot anti-climax.
Wait a sec here. Are we not confusing ourselves with what we liked as disliked in the movie.
NO.
Based on a 20'th century novel of the same name (?), Devdas lived & loved in an era when life was a lot simpler and, surprises of surprise Love did actually mean all that cheeky stuff normally found printed inside valentine cards. (hw do I know? my grandpa, but of course).
WILL THE REAL DEVDAS, PLEASE STAND UP:
Who among us can actually identify with that hard drinking stubbled moron who let himself wilt away, just because fate played a devious trick on him. There are hundred and one reasons for hitting the bottle (like when Juventus wins or loses). Sadly, getting spurned by a missus ought not to be classified as one.
Ok hit the bottle, drink till you pass out, but next day wash the whole damn thing off your body. Take her completly out of your brain, vein, and bod. Seemingly impractical task in the beggining, but believe me not impossible. Same holds true for girls I guess. (I read they like hogging on sweet goods when really down).
It is precisely this mindset which strikes a discordant note in an otherwise somewhat agreeable movie. Once you are able to transcend, what we'll refer to as the - ''Suspension of Disbelief'' mode, and seeing the sorry fella for what he stood (or rather crumpled) for, there is an off hand chance that you might actually get around to enjoying Devdas.
Shall we say (hic..) cheers to that.
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY for 14'th of Feb.
