Devdas, 2002
Hey all, this week it’s a little different because I'm going to review a non-English speaking movie. Ohk this isn't exactly my first non-English speaking movie BUT it is however my first Bollywood movie review. I'm no stranger to Bollywood movies thus I have seen quite a few Bollywood movies in my time. But in saying that I'm no expert on the matter. Plus Bollywood is more like a niche rather than popular viewing amongst the masses but this movie has been a regular feature on SBS usually on the Indian/Bollywood movie season.
Devdas is a love story of epic proportions and like any great epic it's not without its complications. The story begins in old India in times when tradition ruled and class system still in trenched in society. Devdas begins with two long time neighbours and as many Indian films begin everything is honky-dory where there are spontaneous bursts of song and dance to celebrate neighbourly good will. But when the Mukherji's (one of the said neighbours) long absent son Devdas returns after boarding in London everything changes. As I mentioned this is a love story thus not surprisingly Devdas has returned not only to his home and parents but to his childhood love Paro (his neighbour). Mukherjis are a wealthy bunch and of higher social status than Paros's family so when Davdas's mother notices a budding romance between Devdas and Paro she takes matters into her own hands and makes sure that the marriage between the two cannot occur. Mrs. Mukherji is a smart woman and knows exactly how manipulate the situation to her advantage by asking poor naive Paro's mother to a party. Paro's mother gleefully accepts the invitation on the assumption that her "friend" was to announce the engagement of Devdas and Paro. Of course she was wrong instead she was lead to be humiliated in front of strangers and friends. Angered and embarrassed Paro's mother claims that Paro will never marry Devdas and she will marry someone who is of far higher status than Devdas and Mukherjis. Meanwhile Devdas is having issues with his father and in a dramatic fight between the two Devdas storms out Mukherji's house and leaving poor Paro again. During his absence Paro is married off and when he returns he finds that his one true love is no longer there. This only leads to much heart break and downward spiral of self destruction.
I think I might have said too much but there is a lot stuff that happens so never fear there is more stuff worth watching. As I mentioned before I have seen my fare share of Indian movies, a lot of them can be cheesy and really ridiculous and most of the time you take all the stupid things and go with it. But one thing Bollywood knows how to do really well is love stories. And they like it epic; Devdas is no exception to the rule. I really liked this movie it had everything that Indian movies are good at and all the stupid things that Indian movies usually have are actually absent in this feature (thank god).
Devdas is a love story of epic proportions and
A defining feature about this movie is that it’s so beautiful to watch and I don't just mean the beautiful lead actresses. But the whole film is so bright and so colourful and the costumes were intricate and detailed. There is a theatrical presence in this film - it sometimes felt like it was shot on stage. But it gave it sense of nostalgia and it was like you watching a story about a legend or a folklore that has been told to you a long time ago. The way the film creates a world that feels so foreign yet so incredibly intriguing and engulfs you into it.
But of course the best element that cannot be ignored about this film is that it's a beautiful story of love and heartbreak. It’s a story of the love between two people that seem to last for years; a love that cannot die even after all the complications and obstacles that it had to endure. The kind of love that brings you much pain but yet much pressure all at the same time. The kind of love that even despite the possibility of never being with this person does not hinder or wither away. The film is so tragic yet so beautiful without it ever being cheesy.
I love this movie but then again I love romances so I’m going to give it a 8.75 out of 10.
Paro & Devdas
Devdas
I think I might have said too much but there is a lot stuff that happens so never fear there is more stuff worth watching. As I mentioned before I have seen my fare share of Indian movies, a lot of them can be cheesy and really ridiculous and most of the time you take all the stupid things and go with it. But one thing Bollywood knows how to do really well is love stories. And they like it epic; Devdas is no exception to the rule. I really liked this movie it had everything that Indian movies are good at and all the stupid things that Indian movies usually have are actually absent in this feature (thank god).
Paro
Devdas is a love story of epic proportions and
A defining feature about this movie is that it’s so beautiful to watch and I don't just mean the beautiful lead actresses. But the whole film is so bright and so colourful and the costumes were intricate and detailed. There is a theatrical presence in this film - it sometimes felt like it was shot on stage. But it gave it sense of nostalgia and it was like you watching a story about a legend or a folklore that has been told to you a long time ago. The way the film creates a world that feels so foreign yet so incredibly intriguing and engulfs you into it.
But of course the best element that cannot be ignored about this film is that it's a beautiful story of love and heartbreak. It’s a story of the love between two people that seem to last for years; a love that cannot die even after all the complications and obstacles that it had to endure. The kind of love that brings you much pain but yet much pressure all at the same time. The kind of love that even despite the possibility of never being with this person does not hinder or wither away. The film is so tragic yet so beautiful without it ever being cheesy.
I love this movie but then again I love romances so I’m going to give it a 8.75 out of 10.
