Friday, October 12, 2012

English Vinglish – Glorious; Feel Good

I will gladly give you all my barfis if you give me a movie like this every week. This film is a feel good not just because it shows glossy images and a pretty actress. The movie talks and subtly indicates a lot of aspects Indian cinemas conveniently choose to ignore.

In no specific order, the fine touches that make the movie stand out

·        It makes a heroine out of a home maker. We should do this more often. In reality.

·        The movie gave a short kick on the ass of families that perennially believe in taking the parantha/dosa making mom for granted. The film actually teaches manners and how to treat people and at times, it is very reassuring to see such simple stuff in movies. ( esp, in her last five minute speech)

·        Every now and then, we meet people who take great pleasure in criticizing others spoken language skills and creating a dinner table discussion out of it. While being a good friend and correcting them in private is all kudos, bringing one’s pronunciation as a joke reflects mediocrity. Personally, I have had some one do that to me and I have felt too meek to respond.

·        The film probably makes many of us relate to a mother we know. It seemed like the perfect thing to do.

And, finally huge thanks to Mehdi Nebbou for being so irresistibly cute and motivating me to pack my bags and reach NY for an English class. Except that, I will probably be a teacher. Oh yes, that little kid never overacted. A rarity, these days!

30 comments:

  1. Spot on! It was refreshing to see the kid behave like a kid. There was never a dull moment in the entire movie. Perfect 10/10. So realistic, so simple, yet gives us hope. Love that dialogue "I don't need love, just a little respect."

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    1. That dialogue left me a little troubled, rather thinking. I was wondering how/what level of maturity or acceptance it takes to not expect love. I really enjoyed the movie.

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    2. Ya well, at least she was clear what she wanted. After years of being in love, you begin to realize it is over-rated. Over-imagined as well. What remains is what will determine how far your relationship goes. Oh, no. Too much gyan no?

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    3. I guess i have some years to go to get there.and no, not gyaan at all :)

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  2. I am definitely going to watch this one for sure!

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  3. Such a befitting review to a beautiful movie!!

    It was overwhelming to watch it as I can see it happening so many times around me with so many of us for various reasons like language, clothes, looks etc etc.


    P.S: I also fell in love with Mehdi...he was too damn cute in this and everytime he smiled my heart skipped a beat <3 <3 <3

    He stands for something we all need at some point in our lives - a person to show our real worth!!

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    1. ;)i was slightly smitten to think of all that, but yes - you are right!

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  4. I Wanted to watch the movie as well, nice review :)

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  5. Gauri has crafted the movie beautifully. I liked the movie more than barfi.

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  6. So want to watch this movie...... will do so at the earliest, with all those lovely things u've written about it!

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  7. Thanks for the review. I once had a guy try to correct my pronunciation. He said, "Oh, I think you mean, tomayto". I looked him in the eye, and said, "I definitely mean tomaato, but you may call it tomayto if you want"!!

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    1. See, I am glad there are folks like you to give back on wrong pronunciations! :)

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  8. It was a simple and sweet movie :) A movie that speaks about confidence and I love the last lines of Sridevi " Sometimes the other partner doesn't know how hurt you are, how will he help you? That is the time you have to help yourself."

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  9. This is the 7th review that I have read for this movie. Looking forward to view this tonight, if all goes well!! :)

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  10. I finally saw it this weekend. Best woman oriented movie, hands down. The 5 min speech was so amazing and true. That's all you need for a marriage basically. Equality. She's splendid. And not to forget her sarees. I'd kill for them :)

    Mehdi Nebbou was yummy to the core. His eyes, his expression, their non spoken relationship, all was perfection. And the kids, seriously surprising!! Never expected something like this.

    A special mention to the girl who played Radha. She was beautiful and her role was well etched. She could easily be the supporting star of the movie.

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    1. Soumya, I am a sucker for long comments. Thank you :) And yes, that girl is Priya Anand,has acted in a couple of tamil films.

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  11. I loved the movie so much, for the similar points you have come up with. I could relate to a mother I know very well - my amma. I had been thinking of writing a post, but then I couldn't think straight as the memories were very powerful.

    I should agree with you on Mehdi Nebbou. I loved his expressions, his sweet gestures and his unsaid love for Sridevi. There is some magic about this movie, that made me want more. I would watch it one more time I guess :)

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    1. :) GB, I did not want to write about my amma. She will throw one karandi at me from chennai. He he..I may watch it again too.

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  12. I don't think there is/I have enough "English" to say how much I loved it!
    I cried like a baby, looooved that kid (you are so so right about the kid not overacting -sigh!)
    Wonderful movie. Made us stay "on the phone" for an entire night :)

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    1. oh yes..and that girl was such a pain. I would say bitch but that is so wrong to use on kids. On the phone? aye..aye!

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  13. I loved reading through your fine touches, Arch :)! And I am glad to see such wonderfully liberating movies being made today! I loved it too!

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    1. Totally, no! Such a relief to boring, cliched crap we get usually :)

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  14. I loved the movie too, Arch. It was so simply stated..no melodrama...just like a page out of our lives..loved your review too :-)

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  15. It was a lovely movie, but I left wishing they had made the ending daringly different. The husband is all smitten now that she can speak english et al and how she struggles to uphold the traditional "values" of an indian family - just reinforced so many stereotypes.

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