Rockstar- Movie Review

The story is about this music junkie Janardhan aka Jordan (Ranbir Kapoor) searching for inspiration in life, as he aspires to make it big like Jim Morison. How he is mesmerised by this beau monde girl (Nargis Fakhri), his journey with her, by the time she gets into a wedlock  (depicted most picturesquely). Then how their dream of celebrating life together becomes a sticky obsession. They do meet again in Prague, Europe. This time to leave each other even more withered, to the point of being sick.

The movie deals with the emotional churnings of this character Jordan (initially depicted as a rustic, affable Haryanvi lad).  His fear, his cravings, his seething anger. The story glides over these emotions mingled by metaphoric shots, like the one where at midnight Jordan stands in a narrow city lane looking upwards, at the cusp of being destroyed in life or making it big. Other characters are almost irrelevant (at this point), probably present just for their humor.

This brings me to the style of storytelling used by Imtiaz. It oozes with a series of montages and flash sequences. Since it is narrated largely with multiple musical renditions, the cut-back, juxtaposed visuals seamlessly intertwine with the storyline. Add to this a clinical and spirited editing and the story is engrossingly fast.

Cinematography wise, the movie is sprinkled with fascinating shots of Delhi, Prague, and Kashmir. Shots which are not merely placed for the sake of having them but convey the scene enthrallingly. Like the kiss scene, where amidst the urge and hesitation there is a gloomy but captivating panorama with fluttering grass.

It seems the story is a cinematic experience, a sort of cinematic ode we can say, so there is little significance given to the plotlines as such. Hence, there is a distinct character disconnect which the audience might feel. At points they might wonder why the character is so out of sorts and angry.

Perhaps, this is a deliberate disinclination. Not to dwell, whip-up the details of the plots, and justify them with banal dialogues. Why not simply depict in the form of a juxtaposed musical narrative? Not totally ill appropriate one might say, considering the title of the movie is Rockstar.

Likewise, at points it seems that the character is not aware what his future holds (and later, all of it might come as a shock to him) like when he goes for his friend’s wedding to Kashmir, all to bid her goodbye. But it isn’t so. Actually, Jordan the ‘Rockstar’ yearns for pain in his life, after all this should inspire him and it does, by driving him haywire. “Jab tak takleef na ho life mein , tabh tak koi bada nahi banta”. So, he keeps on pursuing this girl, but somewhere realising subconsciously (deep inside) that it would leave him marooned

Yet, for the audience it doesn’t pan that way; as it suddenly experiences the piercing pain, which ruptures when Jordan meets this girl again in Prague, after two years.

However, eventually when the couple manage to get back together (this time in India) after their wretched time in Prague, it irks. This time, because of the displeasing gaze of the world. The last few minutes again consist of juxtaposed images coupled with the musical score of “Nadaan Parindey”, in which some sort of solace is envisioned by Jordan .

Evidently, the movie’s founding lay on its music; there was no room for mediocrity. And it is unusually heart wrenching and very much tranquil where needed.

  With a serene poetic closure, the story leaves an inspirational bitter-sweet impression on the viewers.  Closure it is with a soothing Rumi quote, which highlights reasonable reconciliation, “There is a field very far away from here, I will you meet you there.”

The end of the movie seemed to be a tough line to toe for Imtiaz, considering the taste of Indian masses, who vehemently dislike any demise of the protagonists. Nevertheless, he just about manages to get through with what would should an ideal end (keeping in mind his artistic form of expression).

Wake Up Sid (2009) Movie Review

Wake Up Sid takes a look at the life of a youngster Sidharth aka Sid, who has a shirker attitude about life. The story starts with one -the one before our exams- dreadful night. You find Sid, sitting all prepared to study all through the night, something which obviously doesn’t happen. But, as is always the case, on such junctures there are so many things to crave on, from scavenging the fridge, giving wings to all possible imaginations. And yes the occasional nap, which most usually translates into the deepest slumber we can ever have.

 So, Sid is a rich brat (not in all terms) whose life revolves around…well, basically having some fun!!  , squandering his credit card to fulfill his fancies. Off course, our Sid also suffers from the getting late syndrome. Studies are a big no-no for Sid .One of his only goals is to somehow pass his exams and then…have more fun. But, Sid is also this childish, affable, boy. Visualize all the actors from the fraternity, and none but Ranbir Kapoor fits this role of Sid. You fall in love with his childish character.

Like all petrol-head youngsters, he has a dream machine (a Porsche Cayenne).But unfortunately, he is hooked by his Father, to participate in his business- something he dreads- if wants this machine. Oh the love of cars that all guys have, they would do the most improbable bitter tasks, to get their dream machines, but alas only if a girl doesn’t land in their life.

On his final day at college, he bumps into this aspiring Bengali girl, Ayesha. I like the way they break the ice, by the conversation that follows their decision to go for a walk. All of which seems precisely instinctive.

Somehow, the idea of knowing and helping this stranger excites and inspires Sid. So, when our Sid, flunks his exams, has an altercation with his father, and feels all lost and lonely, he lands at Ayesha’s doorstep. And they get into a -not the usual- live in relation.

The feel of the script, somehow reminds me of ‘Jane Tu Ya Jane Na’, although the storyline is definitely superior. The thrust of the script is on what kind of relation friendship can be, how at the core of every relation is a friendship.

Both Sid and Ayesha, (who is considerably elder to him) who never plan to get in a relationship, end up in one. So how does change happen? What moments can bring them close? What makes them realize the importance of each other? As an answer Ayaan produces a very subtle, realistic storyline. On almost both occasions Sid cries, he ends up crying on the shoulders of the girl, might sound very odd to some, but, these kinds of parts add realism to the story. The characters weave between moments of warm intimacy and insecurity, creating a storyline that brings to life all the complex and beautiful nuances of this kind of shared life.

After nearly starving, Sid decides to learn how to fry eggs and this part is funny. Ayesha makes Sid realize the value of life with a purpose (which definitely doesn’t lie in the skill of frying eggs!!) and finally Sid finds his purpose in photography. Sid starts working for a Magazine, where Ayesha works, has some fun at training, running around with his Nikon and to his surprise feels great about work.

After proving his worth as a photographer, he reconciles with his father and moves back home. But alas, still leaving a hole in his life, this time in the form of his friend. Finally, he manages to put back all the pieces together only to realize he loves his pal Ayesha.

Young bloke Ayan, really did his homework before joining hands with producer Karan. There is attention to detail in everything from Ranbir’s shorts, socks, sets, to the artists. Hey they even give a shot of an Autocar mag.  There are several shots, like the anxious shaking of leg by Sid, which show, how he build his characters.

Shankar-E-Loy’s music has a warm and soft touch to it; on instances it might remind you of the Lakshya tracks. The song ‘Wake up Sid’ is a great composition; it is fascinating to observe the way it helps to form the character of Ranbir as youngster Sid. Ayan does an interesting thing with a couple of songs, he places them in start and stop sequences, so the meaning is more communicative, impactful.

One interesting but not all that significant scene is, when Sid’s friend informs about his break up. It is pleasantly amusing the way they react to the whole incident. “Itna serious kyon ho raha hai yaar, it’s just another break-up.” A lesson for all ya broken hearted fellaas.

 Wake Up Sid is well balanced movie, it doesn’t try to pound you, with questions on ambitions or relations, it’s about sitting back experiencing the characters and their bitter-sweet moments. Although  it is slightly plagued by predictably, but subtle-suave sequences and the fun element, make it a great watch.