'Eat, Pray, Love'.......story of a woman who is in search of her life's meaning !!

Julia Roberts in the movie, 'Eat, Pray, Love'

 
Movie- Eat, Pray, Love
Starring- Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, Billy Crudup
Director- Ryan Murphy

Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling travel diary Eat Pray Love, which had the excellent good fortune to be named an Oprah pick, has been adapted for film by Ryan Murphy, the man behind TV’s breakout hit Glee! 

What are threads that bind them?  Easy!  An uncompromised feel good attitude, mainstream appeal, bright colors, sensuality, joie de vivre, and music!

Elizabeth Gilbert- Author of the book, 'Eat, Pray, Love'

And for anyone who hasn’t read the book, Murphy‘s film starring Julia Roberts, works as a standalone, as there was no sense of something missing.  It’s an ambitious project, and covers a lot of ground, literally, emotionally, and spiritually, and Murphy has done a terrific job of aligning Gilbert’s diverse globetrotting experiences into an organic shape.

It begins as many films begin – the lead is unhappy but isn’t sure why.  Liz (Roberts) knows that she has suddenly run dry, that she ‘wakes up blank’ and can’t connect to her former passion for life.  

It takes very little – her husband (Billy Crudup) announcing he wants to study again – for her to walk out on him because she feels he symbolizes the rut that her life has become.  Liz has been hanging on a thread emotionally and it simply gives way. 

Actor Richard Franco in 'Eat, Pray, Love'

Liz drops everything, literally, and undertakes a year long trip to her top three countries (Italy, India, and Bali), to Eat Pray and maybe Love, watch the world unfold and then revisit ‘normal’ life again. 

Liz’ journey is romantic, idealized, and irresistible.  The scenery and food in Italy is sublime, we imagine, watching her enjoy every morsel.  She discovers the pleasure principle of living and eats and naps without guilt.  Then she’s off to India to the ashram of her ex’ guru where life is different, where she scrubs temple floors and lives roughly but happily.  

She meets a troubled but funny Texan (Richard Jenkins) who partners her in her spiritual quest.  Her final journey to Bali brings her to the soothsayer who started her on the journey and handsome Felipe (Javier Bardem). 

Julia Roberts with Javier Bardem in the movie

Throughout her colorful quest Liz meets healers, soothsayers, gourmets, artists, and adventurers, giving moviegoers a kind of virtual holiday where nothing too bad ever happens.  That’s fine with me.  It is a delightful experience and if people think she has it too easy in her sojourn into the unknown, well, that’s fine, too.

 

An interesting aspect of the film is watching Roberts who has truly outgrown her limited America’s Sweetheart days.  She’s older and seems comfortable in her skin.  She hasn’t had much if any work done; she’s not smiling / mugging to fill the screen and she’s a better, more subtle actor.

A scene at an Indian Ashram

And she’s bigger, accepting her larger frame, wearing it proudly and beautifully.  It’s a boon to women everywhere, and part of a recent trend towards the acceptance of normal looking bodies.  We see heavier models, featuring larger female leads, and celebrities who refuse to go skin and bones.  This movement may render catwalk string beans hopelessly dated.

A scene at Bali

Roberts is at her most appealing in Eat Love Pray, a fully developed person who is no longer 21 and slave to the image.  As an actor she is brave, beautiful, and meets life head on.  She isn’t afraid to face her troubles and know she tried.

Like Glee, Eat Pray Love is deliciously entertaining.  Murphy and Roberts will be reunited in a comedy for release in 2012 about woman who readjusts to life after losing her job.  I say bring it on.

'ENDHIRAN'.......an ode to Rajnikanth!!!

Starring: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa, Karunas, Santhanam.
Direction: Shankar
Music: AR Rahman
Cinematography: Ratnavelu
Editing: Antony
Art direction: Sabu Cyril
Sub titles: Rekhs
Production: Sun Pictures

With a bevy of machine guns in hand; all triggers locked, Superstar delivers a resounding punch line; ‘Happy Diwali folks’. Yes, it was Diwali, minutes before the start of the first show here in Chennai with crackers going off in thousands, flowers flying around and people going delirious with excitement. This is Diwali; no matter even if the real one is still a month away, Superstar has arrived!

Well, let us get down to the task. There is nothing much to reveal about the plot of Endhiran; one supposes. Thousands of speculations, predictions and of course, a mad frenzy about the trailer has given a rough idea about the plot. Endhiran is about Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitty, his creation- the robot with a 1 Zettabyte memory and a speed of 1 Terrabyte. From then on it is a ‘Chitty showcase’, of action, dance, emotions, fun and frolic. Watch Endhiran for the experience.
   

The foremost thing about any Superstar film is Superstar himself. He is the air the film breathes, right from the first frame. The biggest entertainer that India has produced, weaves magic on screen; even a nonchalant saunter on screen makes theatres erupt in celebration. Watching Endhiran one feels no doubt whatsoever that no one other than Rajnikanth could have pulled off this character. It is destiny that brought Endhiran to Superstar after travelling all through Kollywood and Bollywood. He delivers a tour de force performance – he owns the film. Be it as the workaholic scientist, the obedient Chitty or the destructive Chitty (‘upgraded version – Chitty 2.0’), he scores; exuding brilliance and charisma in every frame. Yes, there are the trademark styles and mannerisms, but Rajnikanth transcends style and goes one better with Endhiran. His restraint while playing the scientist, the frustration that he shows while his scientific endeavours go wrong, underscore the fact that he is a brilliant actor who has been bogged down by commercial demands and compulsions. But, the focal point of the performance is definitely the robot. Chitty, the innocent child like robot is cute and loveable and dashing once romance starts flowing through his veins – wires. And, it is when the destroyer arrives that we see the Rajni in all his splendour. There seems to be absolutely no one who can come even close when playing a devilish destroyer. The outrageous and maniacal laugh as he proclaims his invincibility is a masterpiece – a throwback to the heydays of Rajnikanth the villain. The decades have not dimmed his brilliance and charisma one bit. And, the effort he has put into Endhiran shows in all frames; be it the fights or dance sequences; the desire to excel still burns bright. Aishwarya Rai looks ethereal as always. Though it is a bit difficult to still accept her as a college student, she delivers when it matters. Not the usual Shankar heroine (songs and dance only stuff) here, she is almost the fulcrum of the story.
   

Scripting wise, Endhiran does have its flaws, which is a bit disappointing. The first half is a smooth and jolly ride as the cute Chitty takes centre stage. A couple of fights set the tone for the fans to go overboard with excitement, a few lighter moment most of which are enjoyable and two songs make it a relatively light hearted affair. Shankar’s ability to write commercial Tamil cinema elements (hero rescuing damsel in distress, witty one liners etc.) into a sci-fi script is commendable. That stops Endhiran from being a pure sci-fi flick, making it apt for all class audiences. Beginning of the second half is however not an apt extrapolation of the expectations raised in the first half. Though too much does not go wrong, there are portions which one feels could have been tighter. Some sequences, especially the ‘Ranguski’ part, are dragged along for more than a reasonable length. A couple of songs follow each other in quick succession which dampens things a bit. But, if you are willing to be patient through these minor glitches, the rest of the second half is racy, action packed and intelligent.

Action, as all might now, has been the talking point of Endhiran with world famous visual effects supervisors doing the job. The sequences have been conceived by Shankar (as shown in the titles) and do not lack in awe and magnificence. Be it on the train, on the truck or the highway – action is taken to a new plane in Endhiran. As expected, logic does fly out of the window now and then, but then, what is a Superstar film if there is no suspension of belief.  

As expected, technical aspects of Endhiran are top notch. Special effects are world class (except a few occasions here and there) as they have been done by the best in the business, Stan Winston Studios and Industrial Light and Magic. The sheer effort that has gone into the CGI work is humungous, be it Rajni running along the side of a train or doing a Michael Jackson jive; everything looks as original as it can get. Camera by Ratnavelu captures what Shankar has envisioned, and translates it effectively on screen. Make up, by Banu, is exceptional and has made Superstar look even more stylish than he usually does. Re-recording does not look like the work done by an Oscar winner, especially in the final portions, but still manages to impress. Rahman’s songs which are already a rage sit well on the film, adding to the entertainment quotient. Dialogues by Shankar, Sujatha and Karki are sharp, using proper technical terminology well balanced with Tamil lines. Sabu Cyril shows his class once again, be it with the sophisticated labs or grand songs. His work stands out in particular in the ‘Irumbile Oru Idhayam and ‘Arima Arima’ songs. Anthony is as deft as ever with the scissors, adding to the tempo of the film.
 

Hats off to Shankar for the vision and the effort! He has taken Tamil cinema to a new plane on technical terms, showing that nothing is impossible. The sets, effects, sound, style are all amazing and good enough to rub shoulders with Hollywood counterparts, give or take a few points. But, the basic story is still a desi love triangle! That is where Shankar has shown his skills; making state of the art film merge with our regional cinema tastes. His genuine desire to take Indian cinema to greater heights reflects throughout the movie. But, it is not just Shankar who has this vision, Superstar too shares it with him. The man whom we have known for total style and charisma has shown that he is game for something new that does not fit in to the conventional Superstar mould. Even after years of stardom he genuinely wants to bring in and be part of change that will take Indian cinema to higher levels.
 

Overall, Endhiran is a ‘robotic, hypnotic, supersonic, Superstar’ experience, the first of its kind in Tamil cinema and the only one of its kind for a long time to come. It is going to take a Herculean effort to equal or better Endhiran within the confines of Tamil cinema. Let’s hope the day comes soon. For now, an ovation to the Endhiran team, Sun Pictures and Kalanithi Maran for showing faith in Shankar’s vision and to Hansraj Saxena for masterful execution of the project. If not for the faith, confidence and vision of these men, Shankar’s ten year dream would still have been just a dream.

Do Indian cinema a favour, watch Endhiran; let a 100 other Shankars feel bold enough to dream.


(Review by Behindwoods Review Board)

"The hills are alive...... With the Sound of Music............................"

Being an Indian & an avid movie watcher, I can lap up everything & anything related to it!!!

I have watched innumerable films in various different languages, yet my one favourite throughout the years has been , 'The Sound of Music', a movie released in the year 1965 was an exceptionally successful film in the mid-1960s - at the time of its release, it surpassed Gone with the wind (1939) as the number one box office hit of all time. 

This wholesome production from producer/director Robert Wise (of the previously popular West Side Story (1961)) and 20th Century Fox has become one of the most favorite, beloved films of moviegoers. It is a joyous, uplifting, three-hour adaptation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's 1959 hit Broadway stage musical.

"The Sound of Music" is a mostly true story, of the Von Trapp Family Singers. Austrian Captain von Trapp, wife Maria and his children had sung in the Salzburg Music Festival in 1936, then scooted out of Europe in 1938 to get away from Hitler and his evil ways. Eventually they opened a music school, then an inn, in Vermont.

Maria wrote a book, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers," which became a German film, "Die Trapp Familie," in 1956. By 1959, the story of the von Trapps had become a successful Broadway musical, with a little help from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. 

It is the story of the lively novitiate nun, Maria (Andrews), who, too flighty to concentrate on religious duties is sent to be governess to the von Trapp children. She soon thaws out the icy Captain von Trapp (played by Christopher Plummer) and he sings "Edelweiss" with his children, and before too long he's in love with the noviate and eventually they are wed.

There are a number of little plots along the way -- Liesl (Charmian Carr) has a flirtation with Hitler youth Rolf and sings "Sixteen, Going on Seventeen," the captain almost marries the Baroness Schraeder (Eleanor Parker), and Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn) is amusing as the impresario of the music festival, who gets the kids ready to perform against the captain's wishes.

The film has a ton of delightful songs -- the title tune, "Maria," "Something Good," "Edelweiss," "Climb Every Mountain," "So Long, Farewell," "My Favorite Things," "Sixteen Going On Seventeen," and others which I personally remember by heart even today.

The sentimental, entertaining musical was a huge critical & commercial success & nominated for ten Academy Awards, and came away with five major wins: Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise), Best Sound, Best Score (Irwin Kostal), and Best Film Editing (William Reynolds). Its other five nominations were for Best Actress (Julie Andrews who lost to Julie Christie in Darling), Best Supporting Actress (Peggy Wood), Best Color Cinematography (Ted McCord), Best Color Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Best Color Costume Design. 

(Excerpts taken from reviews by different movie critics)