
Let me just start my review by saying much of this movie is
completely and totally Sanjay Leela Bhansali. As one might expect considering
the man himself wrote, directed, produced and composed for this one. The film
is gorgeous (evidenced by this image-heavy post), apparently painstakingly crafted frame by frame — and then SLB
takes that pain out on the viewer in the storyline. He’s one who really knows
how to make it hurt, most of all by letting you hope at certain moments. More
on that later.
But just as you might expect, the music resonates (dammit if dhols aren’t ringing in my head all over again), the cast members are pushed to excellent performances, the symbolism is very prominent and even the most common of things are laden in detail and opulence. And also true to Bhansali form, despite all of the many, many things that happen, the film has its dragging moments.
But just as you might expect, the music resonates (dammit if dhols aren’t ringing in my head all over again), the cast members are pushed to excellent performances, the symbolism is very prominent and even the most common of things are laden in detail and opulence. And also true to Bhansali form, despite all of the many, many things that happen, the film has its dragging moments.
A handful of things, though, I found refreshingly not the
same as the problems I’ve had with previous SLB films. The film is fairly rife
with humor in the appropriate doses, not overwhelmingly somber. The plot
doesn’t unravel about three quarters of the way through, though it does become
annoyingly complicated and a bit hard to follow.
The things that are perhaps not as Bhansali in a bad way? The violence gets overwhelming at times, taking over even in times of somberness. Every person I went with complained about the gunshots ringing in their ears by the end. I also found the movie oversexed (other Bhansali movies have prostitutes as primary characters without having this much sexual energy EVERYWHERE).
Frustratingly for a romance, there is almost no
romancing to the beginning of Ram and Leela’s relationship. It’s pure and
vicious sexual attraction from the beginning. Their first conversation is when
Ram climbs into Leela’s bedroom and expresses a desire to sleep with her.
Speaking of which, Leela never even bats an eye when Ram
mentions that one of the things he’s known for is sleeping with all the girls
of the village. Or that he makes his living selling porn. The amount to which
porn is present as a prop and plot device (it’s used as a bribe against probing
police officers) in this film is really annoying and to me offensive. While the
men seem content to gather around and watch porn together more often than they do anything else, once it’s
suggested as a negative thing: Sexually aroused by the porn when a pretty
Sanera widow (Leela’s sister-in-law whose name I forget) appears, the Rajadi
attack her.
But as with everything in their feud, sexual assault goes both ways with the Rajadis and Saneras. The retaliation ordered for the attack on the Sanera widow is a mass attack on Rajadi women. Both sides feel the need to preach about how they respect women (and the Saneras are ruled by women: the conniving and devious Baa [also the only woman who ever has a back to her choli], and then Leela), but it is ultimately empty. I think we can all agree that women’s safety is the popular hot-button topic of the moment in India, and this feels more like an attempt to latch onto and capitalize on that than any actual concern for combating the issue.
But anyway, there are more frivolous oversexualized things
that are more easily fixed than a decidedly dangerous say-one-thing-do-another
on sexual assault.
For example, Leela does a dance with a smoking candle oddly
reminiscent of Paro’s diya dance in Devdas, but decidedly more sexual as she
does it less clothed, on a bed, knees spread and chest thrust forward. Did we
really need that? I think not. Leela has already demonstrated dancing grace (holy
cow with the beautiful garba dances, Deepika!) and a desire to sex Ram’s pants
off.
![]() |
Too much! Too much! CURTAINS, PEOPLE. |
But alas, in addition to being just stupid for plot
purposes, they must be allowed to hope and feel carefree if just for a time, as
the viewer is too. It’s amazing how much one can hope that Ram and Leela’s
story will end happily despite the circumstances. Despite pride, loyalty,
actions, families...
![]() |
Wherefore art thou, angst? Oh, everywhere. |
And there is perhaps more power in the angst of Ram and
Leela’s love — like when Ram cuts off his ring finger to match Leela’s severed
digit, though very frustratingly there is no scene where she realizes
this — than anything else. Certainly there is more to their later pains than
their nonexistent romantic buildup. The scenes in which the separated couple,
each now controlling his or her own clan, meet formally are downright superb.
Though we know part of that is the fact that it’s SLB’s
forte, but some serious credit needs to go to the (young!) actors, too.
Deepika continues to impress in a year where it seems
impress is about all that she’s done (okay, so there was Race 2 at the
beginning of the year, too, but we’ve all but forgotten that one, right?). You
probably can’t get three roles much more different than Yeh Jawaani Hai
Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram-Leela, but she shines in each of them equally.
On the flipside, I still definitely do not like Ranveer
Singh. He has some really great moments in this movie, but overall I still find
he mostly annoys me. I haven’t liked him even in movies that I really enjoyed,
like Band Baaja Baaraat. Even the way he talks — and by extension delivers
lines — just gets on my nerves, and I can’t even tell you why. (Also, how many
times this year do we have to watch this idiot fall dramatically? I count at
least four. Twice in this movie and twice in Lootera. All pointless and
needlessly drawn out to boot.)
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This was fun, though. |
Maybe I’ve reached that stage of being a critic at which I’m
just impossible to please. While I definitely did like — and not just
in-theater enjoy — Ram-Leela, it made me realize I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed
and loved a movie since Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and I can’t remember the last
one before that.
Here’s hoping to movies that get me out of the rut soon.
Here’s hoping to movies that get me out of the rut soon.
Well, thanks for you two recommendations (this film plus Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) because I too am in a rut. On the plane to California this summer I watched, or started to watch, the latest films by all three Khans but abandonded them all after about an hour. I don't even know what has come out in the past year. It's shame, and a waste of subscription to Lovefilm.com. I look forward to catching this one sometime soon. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI've been keeping up with most of the brand-new releases just because I'm trying to keep my Bollywood club as active as possible, but there really haven't been that many great ones this year. I was even a bit underwhelmed by Chennai Express, which put two of my favorite things — SRK and Rohit Shetty — together.
DeleteDefinitely do watch Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, though. It's excellent. I haven't talked to a person yet who didn't like it.
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ReplyDeleteBut as with everything in their feud, sexual assault goes both ways with the Rajadis and Saneras. The retaliation ordered for the attack on the Sanera widow is a mass attack on Rajadi women. Both sides feel the need to preach about how they respect women (and the Saneras are ruled by women: lawn salwar kameez , ladies lawn suits , pakistani lawn collection , pakistani suits online , embroidered lawn suits , pakistani suits , lown dress , pakistani printed suits , pakistani lawn suits with chiffon dupatta , lawn clothes the conniving and devious Baa [also the only woman who ever has a back to her choli], and then Leela), but it is ultimately empty. I think we can all agree that women’s safety is the popular hot-button topic of the moment in India, and this feels more like an attempt to latch onto and capitalize on that than any actual concern for combating the issue.
ReplyDelete