Wake up, Sid, 2009

Wake up Sid, 2009
Director: Alan Mukherjee
Cast:Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma



Wake up Syd in short: In Mumbai, Sid Mehra is, in the words of his father, an arrogant, spoiled brat. He lives with a doting mother and a father who pays his expenses and credit card bills. Sid takes his college finals then starts work at his father's business; he lasts less than a week before walking out. At a graduation party, he's met Aisha, newly arrived from Calcutta, set on becoming a writer. He shows her the city and helps her refurbish a rented flat. He asks if she'd like to progress from friend to something more; she says no - he lacks ambition and isn't her type. Will her words, his exam results, a confrontation with his parents, and a break with his friends be enough to wake Sid up?


Stage: Home theatre
Preps: The movie was recommended by one of my colleagues, really crazy about indian way of life. I appreciate the critics so I decide to check it out on my own.


Reality: The movie is really cute and positive, it shows exactly how one can be spoilt if bred in the right family (with a huge amount of money), where everything is taken for granted and you get all on a silver plate. Once the life hits you with something and you are left with nothing, you need to build everything. The problem with Syd is he doesn't know how or with what. He doesn't know how to work, he doesn't appreciate each penny he receives, he never had to do anything in his life, so he needs to grow up in terms of independence.

My strong belief is that if you decide for something, you will find the way to get to it. And with strong will, you will meet the right persons (or have luck when going through this path to meet right people) that will help you. Sid finds his luck in image of Aisha, a beautiful girl, striving for her own independence, that shows Sid values that girls (or normal people, that didn't have a money push from the start), appreciate. And Sid finds himself a job, falls in love, his prior values (partying, spending money) are now being an adult, being independent - doing things that sometimes aren't cool or fun, but doing them because it's the right thing to do. While Sid is growing up, he also builds a new relationship to his existing family and shows some appreciation afterall. And of course, this cute movie cannot exist without the romance.

India is shown in a different perspective here. Maybe even a stronger message than the one in the notorious Slumdog Millionaire. Definitely worth seeing.


My personal rating: 7,5 (the unique and inspiring way of showing how one can grow within himself as the result of growing up and being independent).

Wake up Sid on IMDB
Wake up Sid official site

Brokeback Mountain, 2005

Brokeback Mountain, 2005
Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Randy Quaid, Michelle Williams


Brokeback Mountain in short: In 1963,two young men hire on as ranch hands in the Wyoming mountains.During the long months of isolation,an unusual bond starts to develop between them, one which they are only vaguely aware of--until one night when it rises to the surface in a passionate encounter.When the season ends,they part ways,only to realize the true depth of their feelings.Thus begins a decades-long affair that the two of them desperately try to hide from those around them--one which will prove simultaneously beautiful and devastating.

Stage: Local theatre, home theatre (2. time)


Preps: Seeing this at the movies for the first time, I was in the Oscar fever - wanted to see the finalists before the real award ceremony, as I did each year. Now, when I am aware of the greatness of the movie, I am thrilled to see it again at home. I always discover something more in the movies I liked before. This one has also a strong message, that can relate to any kind of relationship.

Reality:
Gay theme is something that drives masses in the theatres, as I go and see it. It's something that isn't exposed very often and when it is, it isn't as vivid and direct as it is here. The scenery, chosen for the cowboy romance, is amazing. The scenario is not only believable, but also put in times, when you truly buy it. Hiding behind a "real" family or what the public expects from both of men, they do get married and they do have children, but all along, they find themselves as soul mates that cannot forget what they shared that summer on the mountain.

Against the policy of those times, they are crucified by society and misunderstood, finally the viewer is faced with depressed actions that might happen, if the society finds out about man's "status": one of the couple drinks, loses the family and loses everything he had in his life but his love and unwillingness to admit it. The other one is beaten to death by people in his town. Sadly enough, they never decide to move together and they never are truly a couple.

At the end, everything that remains, are the memories of that summer and the mountain. Because they never had the courage to make something out of the special gift they were given with the love, they are left with nothing.

The movie is sad and inspiring in terms of making something out of things you can influence on (not leaving it to the fate anyway) or building your relationship, even if the crowd doesn't accept it, even if it's not the right time, place or energy. The important thing is, that the person is.


My personal rating: 9,0 (Although it is long and sometimes lacks dynamics, it is a very strong one with a good message. One of Ledger's best performances in my opinion. Worth seeing).
Brokeback on IMDB
Brokeback natural official site

Away we go, 2009

Away we go, 2009
Director: Sam Mendez
Cast: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph


Stage: Local theatre Dvor, premiere (and pinepple and melon afterwards, accompanied with wine)



Away we go in short: A couple who is expecting their first child travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover "home" on their own terms for the first time.

Preps: I got the ticket from a friend of mine (the invitation). Knowing it is Mendez directing this piece, I think I might see something good again (I just adored his American Beauty and admired the Road). I have seen the trailer and this might be cute even for my critical sceptical eye.

Reality: Somehow the movie makes me depressive in the end. Finding the true selves within seeking where they might stop and live forever with their baby, Veronica and Burt seem to be one of the more normal couples living there. The road they decide to go on reflects all sorts of human hybrids (in the sense, such weird couples, weird choice of how they are living, weird conditions..).. Each time they face another couple of friends or relatives, they seem more normal. In the beginning I thought Burt and Veronica were the weird ones, however through ironic set of scenes I change my mind completely.

I find myself feeling deep sorrow or at least sorry for all those they met on their voyage to face the destination of their living. Choosing the right environment afterall seems not so important as it was at the beginning. The message, that the right choice of the location is the one you are there with your partner (soulmate), and not where your friends/relatives/action/vivid environment is, gains importance throughout the movie.

The weird couples and the scenes in the end are something the movie is worth watching for. I laughed my ass off at some of the ironic dialogues and felt really depressed and sad at stories of the others. The movie shows you the strong and the weak points of each relationship and each environment. And finally brings the initial couple back to each other.

In some way, it lacks action and it lacks dynamics, but Mendez fills this space with place for thinking about the lives you just were faced with and relationship dilemmas once you are in front of them. In some sense, one of the good ones - in terms of follow up activities, going on in my head - I thought about this piece a long time after seeing it.



One of the best dialogues, while they are driving in the car:

Verona De Tessant: I can't believe you told your mother about my tilted uterus!
Burt Farlander: I didn't know your tilted uterus was a secret.
Verona De Tessant: Yes, my tilted uterus is a secret!
Burt Farlander: Your tilted uterus is a secret. Your fucking uterus is a fucking secret!


My personal rating: 8,5 (road drama as I think it is supposed to be :)

Away on IMDB

Away we go online