saoodwajeedshaikh

Romantic Comedy is my Second Favourite Genre in Movies following only Dramas. What is it that makes a great Rom-Com? Is it the chemistry between the Protagonists? Is it an unclichéd and non-banal script? Is it the Direction? Is it a mesmerising Soundtrack Or the enthralling Cinematography? Maybe it's a combination of all these. Notting Hill is one of those few which have all these ingredients to make for a great Rom-Com.

Notting Hill is the story of William Thacker, a diffident divorcee who lives in a house with a Blue Door and runs a not so lucrative Travel Book Shop in a small cheerful neighbourhood of London called Notting Hill. It is the story of his eventful rendezvous with the fabulous, ravishingly beautiful Anna Scott, a renowned American Actress and the love affair that ensues.

As William says in the movie 'Surreal, But Nice', is exactly how I'd describe my experience watching Notting Hill. It is one of those Movies which makes us believe in fateful encounters, in the enigmatic inexplicable appeal to which our very hearts tremble, in the aching separations and the exhilaratingly joyous 'Happily Ever After'. Some people might be of the opinion that these so called Rom-Coms though exquisite, portray an unrealistic affair, that the Writers conjuring such Fables live in Oblivion and not in the real world. To some extent this might be the hard truth. After all what are the chances of me running into Julia Roberts? Probably next to zero or, to be a hardcore realist, absolutely zero. These Movies might give false hope to the heartbroken or the lonely, but it is Hope nonetheless. Hope, that I might bump into a significant other while fetching for Orange Juice and that some people do spend their whole lives together. And that is what I'd prefer to believe. After all I am guilty of being the Hopeless Romantic.

What I like about the movie is that it isn't just some random Girl Meets Boy Story. Albeit being a Rom-Com, Roger Michell tries to dwell a little deeper into each character's Inhibitions, Hopes and their Psyche. The 'Last Brownie Scene' is a testament to the same. This very brief scene is my favourite from the movie. It portrays immaculately how each character on the table has their own Wins and Fiascos, Dreams and Inhibitions and how life never goes on as intended. As Bella very aptly says - 'C'est La Vie'.

'Hugh Grant' plays William Thacker while 'Julia Roberts' is Anna Scott. Their Chemistry is most coveted and undeniable on screen. 'Rhys Ifans' plays the eccentric roommate Spike and 'Gina McKee' plays Bella, among the troupe of Artists employed by Michell.

The enthralling Soundtrack is an anthology of Songs by various Artists which works flawlessly for each scene. My favourite among them being 'When You Say Nothing At All' by Ronan Keating.

In short, Notting Hill is an absolute delight to watch. It may not be the best Rom-Com out there, but it definitely is worthwhile.

A Review by - Mohammed Saood.

(A Joseph still awaiting his June)

Chaitanya Tamhane's 'Court' is a Regional Marathi movie. As the very title depicts, it follows a case in the Indian Judicial Sessions Court, and sheds light on the lives involved.

It is the story of Narayan Kamble, an ageing Folk Singer and Activist who is prosecuted for abetment of suicide of Vasudev Pawar, a Manhole Worker. It follows the court proceedings of the case involved to its entirety. It also gives us insight into the lives, psyche and prejudices of the the State Prosecutor, Defence Lawyer, and the Judge pertaining to the case and how these prejudices seep into the courtroom debates. Thereby to some extent impacting the verdict and the very life of the man in question along with their own lives.

The title and synopsis does give connotations of a typical court room drama bearing likeness to Sidney Lumet's '12 Angry Men' (1957) OR Oliver Stone's 'JFK' (1991). However, 'Court' turns out to be a completely different breed. It is more about the lives involved than the court case itself. Thus in the end the verdict seems insignificant. The lives of these three characters are a metaphor for society as a whole, a society shackled by prejudice, bigotry, superstition, casteism. For the Judiciary is for society, by society.

The audience also gets a glimpse into the working of the Indian Judicial System as well as the plight of Activists and Manhole Workers. The movie doesn't shy away from depicting the dilapidated court rooms, the overburdened Judicial System, the time consuming proceedings where justice is delayed, the perfunctory attitude of the Police and their shady workings, and the squalor living conditions of Manhole Workers in their tenement homes.

Chaitanya Tamhane's direction is simple yet empathetic. He uses only the most simple techniques, which mostly include static and pan shots. The Cinematography has a certain warmth and the Sound Production creates a cacophony of sounds which makes the audience feel as if they are standing amid the very hustle and bustle of Mumbai.

Chaitanya Tamhane employs 'Vivek Gomber' as the Defence Lawyer and 'Geetanjali Kulkarni' as the State Prosecutor among his troupe of artists, who have deftly played their roles.

'Court' is the perfect paradigm of a Regional Movie. I believe Regional Cinema to be the quintessential embodiment of exactly what Movies strive to achieve or should strive for. Since the inception of Cinematography, since the very first moving pictures were projected by The Lumière Brothers, Cinema has given people insight into the lives, cultures and traditions of strangers and of lands unknown.

Court was recommended to me by a fellow Cinephile who supports and believes in the supremacy of Regional Cinema. I saw this movie with the least anticipation and was gladly flabbergasted. 'Court' truly is a hidden gem.

A Review by - Mohammed Saood.