Lions For Lambs | The Critique

You have Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep – best of both the worlds – and add Robert Redford to the preposition. While all grey cells are dancing with happiness, your eyes are shocked to read bad or to put it mildly, un-favorable reviews and unbelievable Box Office collections for a Tom Cruise film. Some of it definitely reflect reality. There are reasons to hate this film. There are reasons to say – don’t watch this film. There are reason to say – it’s a lamb leading a pack of lions.

Tom Cruise plays a Senator pushing forward a bill to change war strategy in Afghanistan to counter nexus of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan’s fundamentalist powers. He wants a journalist – played by Streep – to created favorable public opinion. Streep has her own reservations as from the outset it looks more like a propaganda. On the other hand a professor – Redford playing the character brilliantly – wants a promising student of his to come out of the disillusion phase of his life. He tells the story of two of his students who are currently fighting in Afghanistan. These two story develop the content however fail to evoke strong emotions. They are backed with performances but fail to impress. There is a third story which is not neatly etched but explains the hypocrisy of elite political sections and failure of idealistic educators. The two students who joined defense fight it out the hard way in frozen peaks of Afghanistan.

A good idea is muddled and impact is ruined. The film fails to conclude properly and leaves audience in a confused state. A film which should have either made audience cringe or inspire them, failed on both the counts. Performances, nevertheless, are good. Cruise surprises with the subtle moments. Streep and Redford – experience helps them walk into their roles. Andrew Garfield is ordinary.

Redford is an accomplished filmmaker. This film might have disappointed many but the intent deserves an applause.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh  

  

A Cry In The Dark | Prejudices And Justice | The Critique

Public opinion can influence judgments. Anybody who has an idea who Jesus was, will understand. A Cry In The Dark presents a similar situation where public opinion took precedence over truth and exposes the reliability of jury-system. Made in a docu-drama style, the movie hits hard on the role media plays in creating sensational news and affecting mindset of people involved. Based on Evil’s Angles written by  John Bryson is based on true story of Chamberlains.

 

Michael and Lindy are blessed with a girl child Azaria. They go on camping with bunch of friends. While they are enjoying their dinner, a cry is heard. As it turns out, a dingo is  suspected to have taken away their daughter. Distraught couple accept the fact and make peace with it. However, people around them smell some rot. How can a couple who lost their 2-month old daughter accept it as His wish? Rumors and malicious media reports start creating an anti-Chamberlains mood in court. Lindy, the prime suspect, decides against showing fake emotions to change the course of verdict in her direction. She stands by her beliefs irrespective of what follows.

 

Sam Neill had a difficult role to play. One reason was the emotion baggage this role carries and the second reason was that he was playing a role opposite to Meryl Streep. Sam Neill gave a performance which he must be very proud of. Meryl nails it again. The difficult part was the prejudice the character evokes. Even if you know the reality, it’s difficult to ‘not’ think like what people did. They believed that Lindy was guilty and at some point, you will endorse similar emotions. Her portrayal makes it very difficult to feel for the character and this is exactly what happened for Lindy. She carries the burden of cross and how well. Meryl Streep excelled, like always. The characters play their part so honestly you will almost sense a deja-vu. When the credits roll, you will realize what prejudices can do to justice.

 

Fred Schepisi clinical approach works brilliantly. Aided by a very well written book in the foundation, Fred uses a mix of different mediums of storytelling and blends documentary elements with drama so well that one might not notice the difference. Media as a character plays a strong role and the way it is developed is an example to follow. Rated at par with best in the genre, A Cry In The Dark is a movie that might fade away from memory but it might survive in nightmares. Such strong is the impact. Such strong were the performances.

 

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Akela Kramer Akeli Kramer | Kramer Vs Kramer And Akele Hum Akele Tum | Under Lens

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep share 5 Oscars between them and two of those came in Kramer Vs. Kramer where they were paired against each other. Based on plot of estranged couple fighting for child’s custody, Kramer Vs. Kramer was, surprisingly, unbiased and ended on a positive note. It spoke about motherhood, fatherhood, choices in career and priorities of an individual. After about sixteen years, in India Akele Hum Akele Tum was released with Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala doing a Hoffman and Streep.

Keeping in mind Bollywood ethos, Akele Hum Akele Tum was a decent watch. Music was hit and movie did fair business. Lead couple’s performance was appreciated. Just like the acclaimed original, the lady of the house leave son with father and pursues a career. Not quite adept at household chores, father tries to strike a balance between career and fatherhood. He fails miserably on career front but at no point gives up on his child. Successful, lady returns in their life and claim her right on child. They decide to fight it out in court. Mother is successful, father is trying to catch up on his career without much success. Decision is easy for court but that decision is the most difficult thing for the parents. Lot of love is still there, how can they let the child suffer?

While KVK is very subtle movie and not much histrionics are on display. Being a musical to some extent, AHAT is loud and extremely dramatic. Some typical Bollywood of ‘90s flavor is also there. It can be a little turn-off if you have seen the original. Having said that AHAT was well made. Though definitely not in league of its esteemed original, it’s still a benchmark for remakes.

Written By: Sujoy