pruthvishrathod

Werner Herzog interviews Soviet Russia's last president Mikhail Gorbachev, while exploring his life & political career. I wished the documentary covered more about Russia's power struggle and internal issues at the time than just the big headlines about end of cold war & fall of berlin wall that we could probably get from online archives. But anyway, listening to Herzog's chilling voice with deadpan humor is always a joy. He is the best narrator in the world indeed (sorry, Morgan Freeman :D). I thought Herzog was pretty uncritical but that's probably to get more things out of Gorbochev and also the fact that he has lived for so long in divided Germany. But again, I would have liked to see a more challenging take on him that reflects his shortcomings along with achievements.

Another great anti-War film by the Hungarian master Miklos Jancso. It does not glorify any action or shows any act of heroism. Instead, it is filled with wickedness, cold-blooded nature of authority, brutality and chaos above all. The events take place during Russian civil war in a small Hungarian territory. It shows the acts of both the sides one by one, holding a monastery and then a general hospital.

Once again like The Round-Up, it is not quite easy to follow because of the absence of any central character. It follows set of events taking place one after another. Dream-like sequences and symbolism pretty much sums up Jancso's vision about the absurdity of war.

The photography also makes it wonderful. Landscapes are beautifully captured and almost every shot of the film is visually stunning.

First of all, I'm glad that someone cared to make a film on such subject. Premise is really interesting and promises something different. This espionage drama/political thriller has decent story but screenplay is not up to the mark. Somewhere between historical timeline and a political conspiracy, it fails to maintain its coherence. It is somehow misses the elements which hold it together. That is the reason why it tastes your patience but fails to reward it. After the end, I felt it would have worked better as a documentary since characters fail to create an emotional bond. Even with such a realistic scenario and forcing elements, it does not create any tensed atmosphere or thrill.

But still it is at least an appreciative effort because of its subject and sincerity towards it. John Abraham tries his best. He and director Shoojit Sircar should be acknowledged. However, film does not stand tall on the basis of film-making.