Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) - Movie Review

Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her daddy in The Bathtub.
Even after a million years, the scientists and moviebuffs of the future will be delighted to know it.

Directed by Benh Zeitlin, 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' is a compelling piece of art about a mystical land of the beasts and love of a father and his daughter. 

 

The plot is set in the fictional island/community called 'The Bathtub'; a secluded locality on the other side of the wall of civilization. The movie follows the lives of it's residents leading a life of beasts and in particular HushPuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis) and her father Wink (Dwight Henry).

The movie is narrated as experienced and understood by it's 9 year old protagonist HushPuppy. This transforms the audience into a mystical world innocence and a universe built over interesting ground-rules. The equation of life on The Bathtub is simple; even though the dynamics are harsh and unforgiving. The man and the beasts are one and the same. The inhabitants are uneducated, have no jobs, eat uncooked meat, make merry and do not cry in the face of hardships. Everything and everybody living is considered meat; all part of the grand buffet of the universe.

The story takes a turn when the melting of polar ice and an imminent storm poses permanent submersion of the island. The inhabitants have to either choose between facing extinction or evacuation. While most of the inhabitants relocate, a handful of people including our protagonists choose to stay back.

The best part of the movie is the father-daughter relationship and of course HushPuppy's mystical world and its revelation over 90 minutes. Wallis as HushPuppy is an absolute delight (youngest actor ever to earn an Oscar nomination for the leading role). Her emotions are real, actions affable and dialogue delivery impeccable. The charm and innocence lending an undeniable sincerity to the narrative and the plot.

Strong animals know when your hearts are weak.

Dwight Henry (first time actor) portrays the complex character of Wink; striking the balance between a concerned father and the fearless beast of the community. His concern and love for is daughter in the most unorthodox ways forms some of the best moments in the movie.

In spite of an offbeat plot and narrative, the outcome is exceptional. The camera is consistently shaky, but the background music more than just makes up for it and any other technical irregularities. The music succeeds immensely in simultaneously painting the dual picture of the grim situation and the cheerfulness in its protagonists.



There are also subtle social messages driven in the movie such as the preservation of nature, ecological balance and even man-beast relation. But it not what makes the movie an above-average experience. In the run-time of 90 odd minutes, one can't help being smitten by HushPuppy and life in The Bathtub.

In the end, 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' packs a compelling narrative and powerful performance in a heart warming story. One of the spectacular movies made in the recent times. Do not miss it.

My rating: 8.5 / 10


Related Trivia:

• Quvenzhané Wallis was five years old when she was chosen for the role
• Dwight Henry is a first time actor and a victim of Hurricane Katrina

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Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - Movie Review

Based on a novel by the same name, 'Silver Linings Playbook' may not be the most memorable of movies. But it definitely has an inescapable charm driven by an ensemble of affable characters and sterling performances. 

A testimony to that being the 8 Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

Written & Directed by David O. Russell (director of The Fighter), the movie deviates to a large extent from the book as well as genre of RomCom (Romantic Comedies). 

The movie follows the life of Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) and his near ones. Pat is a mentally not-normal person who has recently rejoined his parents after a brief stint at a correctional facility. We soon learn of his strained relationship with his wife who has sought a distance from him through a legal restraining order. 

However, Pat refuses to accept the fact that his wife has left him for good while everyone around him is convinced about it. He refuses to accept that the fact is determined to set things right and get back to his previous life; so much so that it defines his craziness.

Along the line, Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence); someone more mysterious and crazier than him. What follows next is no big surprise. But, how it unfolds is surprisingly fresh and quite charming.

Coming back to the ensemble of impressionable characters and sparking performances.

Jacki Weaver plays Dolores Solitano (Oscar nominated performance for Best supporting Actress); the caring mother who defies the court's suggestion to bring her son back home from the mental institution. Her portrayal of the over protective and concerned mother makes an noteworthy performance.
Robert De Niro is cast as Pat's father (Oscar nominated performance for Best supporting Actor); a pensioner and die-hard fan of the local football team. He delivers an impressionable performance in a character that juggles between being a loving father, superstitious gambler, an angry husband and even a man who can beat up his 30 year old son to teach some discipline.

Chris Tucker (as Danny) and John Ortiz (as Ronnie) cast as Pat's cell-mate from the facility and neighbor respectively. They both lend valuable laughs with their spirited performancess.

Anupam kher + Cast of Silver Linings

Veteran artist Anupam Kher plays the role of Dr. Cliff Patel, the consulting psychiatrist for Pat & Tiffany. His screen presence is brief and character not very significant to the plot. The Bollywood audience have seen him delivering more powerful performances. 

Frankly speaking, Pat's character suffers from few inconsistencies. His level of craziness is inconsistent along the length of the movie. Several times during the movie, one is unsure if Pat is really crazy or is it just has anger management issues. 

Bradley Cooper has done a better than average job in portraying Pat (Oscar nominated performance for Best Actor). He is very convincing in the first half of the movie after which the inconsistencies surface. 

Unfortunately for Pat, Forrest Gump & Raymond (from Rain Man) have pushed the bar for such characters till exosphere. 

Unmistakably, the single largest charming aspect of the movie is Jennifer Lawrence's performance as Tiffany (Oscar nominated for best Actress). Tiffany is an instinctive, emotionally spontaneous and the girl next door with a mystery buried deep inside her. Jennifer portays this mystery and craziness with a flair and conviction that makes the audience curious and connect with her role. Her acting is convincingly consistent all along the movie.

Another highlight of the movie is that the movie never slips into pure comedy mode. In over a large part of the movie, the plot takes itself quite seriously. The part in which the not-so-normal protagonists try to make sense of the seemingly abnormal world is quite convincing. 

In fact, the serious confrontations between Jennifer & Pat about each other's craziness forms some the most powerful moments in the movie. 

In spite of a plot that strikes the right balance between seriousness and romantic drama,  'Silver Linings Playbook' is a movie made special by sterling performances. 

My Rating: 7.5/10 


ps: I've intentionally NOT include a link to the trailer. They seem to be giving up too much about the movie. Avoid if possible.

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Les Miserables (2012) - Movie Review

It wouldn't be just to review this movie in isolation to the masterpiece from Victor Hugo. So, I wouldn't even attempt to do it. All the more when Les Miserables (2012) remains so faithful to the novel. After all, who dares flirt with near perfection.

The Plot:
For the unaware, Les Miserables is a timeless tale; one that will test the corners and the depths of the heart and stir up every emotion residing in there.

Set in the early to late 19th century, the tale follows the life of Jean Valjean enslaved by the law for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's dying son. After serving 19 years for the petty theft, he gets released on parole. But then, the society humiliates him further into desperation & hatred. Finally, a priest takes him in, offers food, wine and shelter. Allow him to rest from pain and wrong; motivating him to give up hatred.

Jean Valjean then decides to give up his old life and to start afresh. Only this time around devoting his life to the way of god and righteousness in the process breaking his parole. But it wouldn't be easy as Inspector Javert (his parole officer) will stop at nothing to put him in chains.

What follows is a heart wrenching tale that puts Valjean's conscience to test in turbulent times. Can Valjean walk the path of righteousness till the very end? Can he keep his promises against all odds? Will his past haunt him and those he care about? Will he finally learn to let go, forgive & love?

The Review:
Prior to this, there have been at least 12 movie attempts based on this novel; the earliest of them (in English) being in 1909. As Victor Hugo pointed it out himself, "As long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless". One can easily replace the word 'useless' with 'irrelevant'.

Even the smallest characters (if there were such a thing) in the novel have such interesting persona about them. Their battles of the heart and mind, even though set against the backdrop of the Paris uprising in 1860's are still relevant today; and across the world. That's what perhaps makes 'Les Miserables' a timeless classic.



The 2012 adaptation on the big screen is worth every penny. The director, Tom Hooper (King's Speech) has done full justice to the novel deserving 8 Oscar nominations including the 'Best Picture'. The movie drags you into a magical world right from the first scene and the first verse. The visualizations are near perfect and the technical aspects equally flawless.

The performances by the actors are brilliant. Most of them have lived upto the high expectations of the novel; few seem to have surpassed it.

The novel introduces Jean Valjean as someone with of extraordinary physical and mental toughness. Hugh Jackman (6' 2") fits right into the description and delivers a convincing characterization. His acting and voice modulation are commendable. He personifies the man who has to frequently break the law to keep his conscience. He brings out all of Valjean's rage, hatred, confusion, fear, doubt, joy, bliss, possessiveness, love in vividness worthy of the Oscar nomination. I hope he wins it.

Inspector Javert is a man who follows duty without a conscience. He only sees things as lawful or otherwise than right or wrong. Russell Crowe meets expectations of this character. His voice has a natural essence of authority that lends some advantage.

Anne Hathaway surpasses expectations as Fantine, the lady who has been wronged in all possible manner. A hard working single mother, burning at both ends to keep her child alive. Look out for her rendering of 'I dreamed a dream'; one of the most powerful moments of the movie and also most poignant moment in the tale.

Another actor who surpassed expectations is Samantha Barks in her role as Éponine.

Why this movie works:

The Narrative: The most appealing aspect of this movie is clearly it's musical narrative. This is perhaps, the most successful mainstream Hollywood movie in over a decade with this narrative. The lyrical dialogues and background music makes the saying more powerful. It is commendable how the actors have balanced their acting and singing simultaneously.

Overlapping dialogues: One of the beautiful things that music allows is to have overlapping dialogues presented in the same tune. This has been used to great effect several times in this movies. In multiple scenes, protagonists sing out their lines (unconnected to each other) in the common tune leading upto a crescendo.

Renderings/Lyrical: No better way to express your emotions than to sing it out. Les Miserables is a treat of some of the finest musical pieces. Here are my top 5 picks (in the order) from the movie.

1. I dreamed a dream - Fantine (Anne Hathaway) - The undisputed No.1
2. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables - Marius (Eddie Redmayne)
3. On my own - Eponine (Samantha Barks)
4. One Day More - (Several actors from the cast)
5. Javert's Suicide - Javert (Russell Crowe)

I think, if you haven't read the book, you're missing something big in life. If you skip the movie, you wouldn't realize that something this-good even exists.

This movie is a 9/10

The novel will forever remain 11/10

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Django Unchained (2012) - Movie Review

Yes, the old jungle saying is still true."Nobody can film a bloodbath better than Tarantino and none can spill blood more beautifully than his characters". 

Surprise to none, Django Unchained, written & directed by Quentin Tarantino is indeed a glorified account of blood sputtering revenge; set in an age of nobody's seen no nigger on a horse.

In keeping with the code of Tarantino-esque school of film making, the first scene sets the tone and standards for the next two-and-half hours to folow.

Opening credits flash in over sized block RED letters to the tune of Django by Luis Bacalov.

Django, have you always been alone? Django, have you never loved again?
Love will live on. Life must go on... You cannot spend your life regretting.
Django, you must face another day.

The protagonist, Django (Jamie Foxx) and few other slaves in chains are being dragged barefoot across a forest on a chilly night. They come across Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz); a German dentist turned bounty hunter looking for our protagonist.

Sooner than than you know, Shultz lures Django to join him in the bounty hunting business. Django unsurprisingly accepts the ludicrous offer of killing white men and even getting paid for it. Then we're told of some German mythology and also of Django once having a wife who is now the property of Calvin Candi - a hard core slaver, powerful and wealthy man in Mississippi. The duo then decide to travel South and retrieve the girl. The rest of the movie is a no-surprise tale of Django becoming the fastest gun in the South.

In spite of excellent story telling, the plot never by itself becomes the highlight of Tarantino movies. This time around too, his movie will be remembered for 2 things - A set of impressive characters and some convincing satire on human nature/morality. Full credit to Tarantino for introducing 4 more characters and in such stye. The actors have done equally well in  characterization.

 Christoph Waltz (Oscar nominated for this performance) steals the shows in the beginning with all his flamboyance. Watch out for the scene where he draws comparison between the business of bounty hunting and Slave trade. Calling one as 'Cash for corspe' and the other as 'Cash for flesh' trade.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays the hard core slaver madman. In one convincing scene, he tries to justify why the niggers are a submissive lot and need a master. (I couldn't help remembering the squirrel-rat analogy with German-Jews from Inglourious Basterds).

The best performance in this movie comes from Samuel L. Jackson. His portrayal of 'Stephen', the black caretaker of an estate will perhaps be the most memorable part of Django Unchained. He portrays the role of an old man confused with his hierarchy in the social order. 

Having spent 7 decades as the estate care taker, Stephen behaves like a master and looks down on other colored folks.

Over the course of the movie, Jamie Foxx's Django transforms from a lost soul to a legend and to put in his own words - 'One in a thousand Nigger'. Once he is armed, there is no stopping.

The intensity of gun shots and blood sputtering in this movie sets new standards. The gore is just one part of it. The choreography of the bloodbath is replete with close-ups and slow motion that one can be certain of director's over indulgence.

In the end, Django is a glorified tale of brutality on slaves and one man's revenge with the gun.  
Will be loved by Tarantino's fans.
Rest will wonder, yet again - "What was so special"?

My rating: 7.5/10

Personal rant: 

 
Call it Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds or Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino's movies don't seem to be too different from one another. They all conform to the same plot/thinking.  
An underdog protagonist. Meets a mentor. Trains on combat skills. Seek vengeance. Connect these with blood & gun shots. Your movie is served cold. And in blood.

Not that Quentin Tarantino has an unassailable lead in depicting bloodshed. Tim Burton, Sylvester-Rambo-Stallone and his expendable men are catching up fast. It's about time something fresh comes from the superstar director. 

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Lincoln (2012) - Movie Review

Lincoln (2012) infuses life into the history books; unlike any other on this topic. This winner from Steven Speilberg is a delight for historians as much as the Oscar jury. With a total of 12 nominations that include Best Picture, Best Direction, Best performance in the lead and supporting roles, Lincoln leads the race for the Oscars (85th Annual Academy Awards).

As the American civil war (1861-1865) between the United States (Union/North) and the Confederate States (Confederacy/South) draws to an end, it puts a nation and it's leader through a great test - one that will define both for the time to come. This biopic vividly captures the dynamics leading to one of the most proud moments of American history and perhaps the world as well.

During the course of the war, Abraham Lincoln exercised his warpowers to pass the Emancipation Proclamation - a temporary war-period arrangement that liberates (not having to return back to their masters) the captured slaves. While Lincoln was captivated with the idea of abolishing slavery, the confederate states and a large majority of the congress do not share his enthusiasm. The people too look at the arrangement as an act of negotiated peace than a permanent solution.

As the war reaches its final days, Lincoln is fully aware that his and warpowers will end and the judicial reversal of the Proclamation inevitable. He has to push for the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the US constitution thereby formally abolishing slavery. Lincoln has to walk a tight rope. Not only does he have to convince the Congress against the popular sentiment, but also race against the time to get it done. If the forces of the South surrender before ratification, they will most likely negotiate to keep their slaves - a condition that his cabinet won't mind.

In the end, it comes to either winning the civil war or abolishing slavery. But not both. This equation opens up the plot for some very interesting drama.

Can Lincoln kill two birds with one stone? Can he push an idea before it's time has come? How will he convince the Congress against the popular sentiment? 

Will he pursue unconstitutional means in getting the constitution amended? Will he keep the war going, endure loss of lives and money to buy more time? Can he keep the war updates a secret untill the voting?

And well, add to all this the turbulence in his own personal life; strained emotions with his wife and son.


Why this movie works:
As it is evident, there are several parameters and people influencing the the dynamics and each one of them connected to every other. Lincoln (2012) shines not only for the immense research that has gone into the script but also for how intriguingly these nuances are dramatized. Director Steven Spielberg asserts his genius yet again in binding the several threads of the story to the common end.

The acting department is a powerhouse to say the least. Lincoln is popularly known to be calm, composed and confident. But Daniel Day-Lewis (2 time Oscar winner) takes you on an exploration of Lincoln-the-lesser-known and the grey shades of his personality. The president hops from being an inspiring leader to a perturbed father, a repenting husband, an advocate, a negotiator and at times, even being a dictator. As the movie explores the twin faces of the president, the vivid portrayal of the Lincoln's character is clearly the high point of the movie.

Daniel Lewis fits right into the role - in form and character. His humanization of the legend - all his confusion and conviction truly deserves a third Oscar. 

The acting from the supporting cast is equally brilliant. Sally Field (2 time Oscar winner) is cast as the first lady and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the rebellious son. David Strathairn plays the Secretary of State and Tommy Lee Jones (Oscar winner) plays Thaddeus Stevens, one of the party leaders who has a difference of opinion with Lincoln.

The technical aspects of the production are also top notch. The lighting and sets takes to back to the 19th century and the war scenes are as real as they can get. In the end, Lincoln (2012), is a winner and deserves half a dozen awards at the 85th Academy Awards. If you enjoyed Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List and Munich. you'll most certainly like this too.

However, it might take a bit of patience to appreciate the nuances. After all, the civil war and the politics behind getting an amendment passed is not a very popular topic.

My Rating: 8/10


Related Trivia:

• Liam Neeson was first chosen for the lead role. After the project started, he decided to drop out
• Steven Spielberg spent 12 years in research for this movie
• Initially, the movie was conceived of as a bio film exploring Lincoln's entire life story. Later it was decided to cover the last 6 months of Lincoln's life
• Daniel Day-Lewis had his reservations in taking on this challenging role. Eventually, it was Leonardo DiCaprio who convinced him.
• In 2012, Tim Burton also made a movie titled, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"

About Daniel Day Lewis:

• Several times offered and turned down the role of Aragorn (Strider) in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• Zack Snyder offered him the role of "Jor-El" in Man of Steel (2013). Role went to Russel Crowe in the end
• Was considered for the role of Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ (2004)
• He won 23 acting awards for his performance in There Will be Blood, including the Oscar.

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