Friday, November 25, 2016

Dear Zindagi Review


  "A film is not really good until the camera is an eye on the head of a poet"- Orson Welles
And what a poem it was this "Dear Zindagi"! a ballad recited in a starry night.
 Film making is like realizing your dream is coming true, turning the cater pillars of your cocoon mind into colorful butterflies that take the sky and fly towards its freedom and light. and with so much bravery Gauri Shinde unfolded her wings. The story protagonist is Kaira the talented cinematographer who deals with a phase in her life that we all been through or still are. choices, being with the right guy or the right girl eternal dogmatic question and then being the dumpee before being dumped and the tragic consequences of this emotional burden we all carry like a second hump on our backs besides fear. then hell broke lose at the insomniac nights of heartbroken Kaira, saw a younger me turning like a hungry lion in a circus cage from the bed to the terrace and from one nightmare to the other. realistically portrayed by the gifted Aliaa Bhatt, i identified with Kaira only i wasn't fortunate enough to have the handsome Dr. Jehenghir Khan around . Mental illness is not a shame, it is like any disease and it needs treatment! a girl is a human being half of any society that is still in our countries suffering for just that. it took lots of guts from the mind stirring director to highlight these important issues that are our communities' crisis currently. take as many bows as you can dear Gauri Shinde, you stroke a chord in the heart of the world.  i felt like in a celebration of life watching this spring fresh of a film. like all the shy buds bloomed off my watered eyes and sunny heart. a touching experience that i will never forget.
Ready, wearing all my unrequited life queries and a little kid excitement at a trip to the fares, i stepped lovingly to the dark hall number 3.

I had read about Shah Rukh Khan the theater monster, the mammoth emotion volcano that erupts sometimes only in his fixed gazes and throws the lava of ability off his well built back turn and soul dozen packs, but then i saw him tonight in this -all seasons of a year in one- ride of delight film. 
not that he had gone anywhere tho, the same Shah Rukh Khan who did A Chak De or swades did Happy New Year and Dilwale with the same dediction and zest and with pouring all his heart, mind and soul he gave us "Fan". it is a matter of dedication that he commits to with the same belief, waking up every day wearing make up and embracing the world. He gives all he has be it candy floss cinema or niche films as this one is termed. though i am not so much into any kinda art frames. Shah Rukh Khan is always there, a director actor, and a tremendous artist by default.    
Watching all his previous Camera encounters and enchanting larger than life endeavors, i thought i saw it all. how will he ever renovate? create someone new every time with a totally different acting technique? but there oops He did it again! Shakira style (cheezy i know but couldn't help it) He brought Jehangir Khan to life with so much ease and effortlessness, portrayed all his emotionless emotions and not suppose to appear but we feel them, inner human struggles. this muted storm he is passing through, his muscles scorching and hands veins screaming dialogues got me totally in "shivers".
the last shot of Jug deserves all the Oscars and awards in the universe for decades. Shah Rukh Khan the actor is an Iceberg that we only scratched its summit while what lies beneath the surface is unmeasured.
(i just wish the Kursi hadn't creak. deep down in my heart i knew it would without showing it, but it was still an unforgettable moment that all of a sudden reminded me it's a movie not real life anymore) 
How he took his Character to himself, that fine line between the responsible professional therapist  and the ordinary passionate man was drawn exquisitely by Shah Rukh's epic performance. The body language and his on fleek sense of humor, the use of every emotion just reached me as a viewer with all efficiency.
he wears his feelings like a glove, a true blue master of acting, i wonder how he take them off in this 2 hours long cold shower rinse! 
He is where he is for a reason, an almost hour length role that bewildered me in every scene, those sea scenes were as refreshing as its real breeze splash on my tiered soul. now i know whenever by the beach, i will have some Mess(y) goals to score.
I knew more always to come out of his hat, the delivery of his simple yet deep dialogues, he nailed it and how! the extraordinary ordinary, like a full moon he was shinning yet hiding his darkest side.
the only set back is that i wanted more of Jug! i didn't want him to go..this vulnerability i sensed in a left written note on the door and an reciprocated goodbye hug touched me to the core.
this tenderness of i am holding your hand go on look at her confession will haunt me forever. i was sold to these little details of his spectacular performance, that "Kusi" thingy i will always keep.
dear Shah Rukh, keep doing and being the magic you are and we will keep falling in love with you all over again. just like we should.

Now coming to Aliaa,  she totally took me by surprise! a full package of wonders, she hit me by storm how solid performance, a bundle of emotions moving, an ocean of talent, a Meryl Streep of her own merit. Still 23 yet completely full of her role and mastering every detail, the dress code and the facial expressions that really took me on a roller coaster. i cried with koko and cheered when she did. Kaira made me one of her 5 inner circle. everyone of us boys and girls relates to kaira. her fears and insecurities, hopes and expectations. and i will never forget that 10 years old boy who was sitting in the chair next to me that i heard sobbing at the brilliant crying scene with Dr. Jehangir and rolling tears on my cheeks myself, i handed him a tissue.
thing is i don't know how will you ever get off that highway my love, you are now practically moved in. 
i am super proud of my lovely discovery Aliaa Bhatt! You Go girl! super duper awesome you are! and i am with you in this Dear Zindagi forever. You just got yourself a new ardent Fan.

Since i had lost count of the times i had watched English Vinglish and how my mom and i consider it one of our dearest friends that we enjoy its company, i had high hopes from dear Zindagi. but now after watching it, our girls night in just got a new intimate friend. 
Being the Scorsezee you are i am extremely grateful you exist in this world of cinema dear Gauri Shinde! the Maestro of this enticing sonata of life. a glamorous direction, sensitive topic that was handled with extreme artistry and elegance. made me look in the mirror as i got home and dearly caressed those bulging folds of my years with love not frustration.
revisited my childhood memories sprinkled balsam on the healing still open wounds.
How mighty is your camera, like a woman in love, each turn was like a coming home hug and every shot was like a kiss. the cinematography is sublime, the cadres were like paintings, a  Monnet in your own elements. every frame whispered beauty in its finest gallery. the pace was very good not one dull moment which is exceptionally brilliant to achieve in such genre of niche films. in fact i wish it lasted longer.
Such a beautiful ride of life you took us to. it is not impossible to accept ourselves just the way we are,  forgive life and open our hearts to love without fear. such a meaningful chocolate content in a folded silver paper of pretty.
Thank you all who were heroes in this film, Jackie, fatty, Raghu, Alka, Sid and Rumi. everyone fits amazingly in. 
the writing is a superstar, a splendid script and an extremely heartwarming performance of all artists.
every song played on a nerve, drenching and soothing. but i wished Zindagi gale la gale was there too.
This gem of a film is just outstanding, i highly recommend watching for all. 
4.5 stars just go for it!
thank you for this memorable trip that i am cherishing in my heart as my dear zindagi's own shrink. after all we do know by now that Goa is never a bad idea.

from the seat of a viewer
Abeer Mohamed.   
AKA @Beeros75
          
   

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