Oct 10, 2012 02:13 AM
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STATUTORY WARNING : This reviewer will not delve too much into the story of the movie on review, reckons a one line description will do just fine. For filmophiles ( including yours truly ) who have suffered for years at the hands of sadistic reviewers, all SPOILERS are at the end i.e. are only for those already done watching.
STORY : It's about a middle aged woman dealing with the difficulties of parenting whilst finding her own identity.
MOVIE REVIEW : ENGLISH VINGLISH
Coming of age is arguably the most beloved genre in our cinema. Puberty, adulthood, identity crisis are some of the commonly explored themes. In recent memory, the Vikramaditya Motwane directed UDAAN ( 2010 ) is easily one of the best in this genre. Others notable include TAARE ZAMEEN PAR ( 2007 ) RANG DE BASANTI ( 2006 ) & ASTITVA ( 2000 ) Interestingly, genius Satyajit Ray's best known works like PATHER PANCHALI ( 1955 ) and the APU TRILOGY are also essentially coming of age films. In that sense, newcomer Gauri Shinde's ENGLISH VINGLISH is not just about coming of age of the character of Shashi Godbole but surely also of actor Sridevi. Child-woman ? No more !
In the cinema hall itself, there was a large turnout of mostly middle aged women and men ( in that order ) making the viewing experience akin to a family function. Over bearing at times but mostly warm ! While CHEENI KUM, (2007) her husband Balki 's debut suffered because of an inconsistent screenplay ( the Bachchan -Tabu chemistry was crackling but the rest of it was strictly average ) here Gauri Shinde, credited with the story & screenplay does a swell job. Hemanti Sarkar 's editing is spot-on as a result of which the proceedings move at a fair clip and are engrossing. For the cinematographer, Laxman Utekar the brief seems to have been fairly simple. Zoom in to Sri 's face and leave the rest to her.
The soundtrack is one of the biggest plusses of ENGLISH VINGLISH and Amit Trivedi 's score blends quite seamlessly with the narrative. His background score however leaves a lot to be desired. Coming to the direction, Gauri Shinde has made an auspicious start, proving to be especially adept in her handling of Sridevi. The flipside is that almost all the other characters in the movie i.e, her husband ( stage veteran Adil Hussain is splendid though somewhat limited by the one dimensional nature of the role; P.S. He has a nice cameo in the much anticipated LIFE OF PI ) her children, the elder sister and her daughters, even Shashi's classmates (each one equally cliched and stereotypical) seem incidental, mere add - ons to the story of Shashi. Mr Bachchan is wasted in a not -so- special appearance as is Sulbha Deshpande ( Can we please not take on legends if they are to be cast in such wishy washy roles ?! )
The masterstroke is the casting of French actor, Mehdi Nebbou as the soft spoken, reticent chef Laurent. Nebbou who has worked with both Spielberg ( MUNICH ) and Ridley Scott ( BODY OF LIES ) exudes an old world charm and acts quite intuitively thus adding real gravitas to the goings-on. But make no mistake, the show.. the stage..the screen.. call it what you may.. belongs to one person and one only. In what must count as the MAI-BAAP of all comebacks, Sridevi ( of the quivery voice, thick south accent, pursed lips and wrinkly nose ) nails it. Not just the expressions, the whole body language ( note how when Shashi is initially coy , she tugs at the ' pallu ' of her tightly wrapped saree as if to shield herself ) Sri does not just play Shashi, she becomes her. This is an author backed role in the truest sense. To a generation of heroines sold to the false notion that size zero figure+ perfect looks+itsy bitsy clothes+ ample cleavage equals DIVA, here is a reality check.
All seen and said, ENGLISH VINGLISH is a must-watch for all diehard Sri fans. And for the others, it is a must-and-should watch. Why, you ask? Don't ask, just watch.
SPOILERS
THE DANCE : Sridevi dances like a dream in the movie. Yet the ' seeti-maar ' step would have to be the Michael Jackson Ishtyle jig that she does for her son.
THE SCENE : Remember the immortal scene in MUGHAL-E-AZAM where Salim ( read Yusuf Saab ) caressed Anarkali 's ( Madhubala ) cheek with a feather and it was actually erotic. ( no kissing, no cuddling, no bare back even ) The best scene of ENGLISH VINGLISH is similar with the character of Shashi losing her balance and landing in the arms of the character, Laurent. He then proceeds to softly stroke her cheek with the palm of his hand. All one can say is " CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR "
THE MOMENT : The makers of ENGLISH VINGLISH subtly drive home a point. Love has no boundaries, Emotions have no language. The character of Shashi rambles on in Hindi fully aware that Laurent will not understand and in turn he responds in French in all earnestness. Those are the moments. Of magic. Of the movies.
