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Reviews
Animal (2023)
Feral Instincts - Animal
This is an unabashed ode to all wily teenagers out there who think they can conquer the world and never grow past that phase. This reminds me of the now cult dialogue from Sacred Games - 'Kabhi kabhi lagta hain apun hi yaha ka bhagwan hain' - loosely translated to - sometimes I feel that everyone else is subservient to me here. The translation doesn't have any of the emotions the antagonist playing protagonist in the series is trying to convey. It is akin to having well seasoned food while down with Covid wherein taste buds have bid adieu.
Sandeep (Director) has been a maverick and a good one at that. I would say a good one because his ideas seems to resonate with a large set of people. Anyone can decide to wander off the beaten path but being successful at that is another ball game altogether. Most of us are trained to suck the wages drip and get a temporary high. I, for one, would like nothing better than break the hamster in a wheel monotony.
Movie is a directors canvas and the colour palette and the subject choice is what piques our interest. In some cases, goodwill or past work precedes the quality. For example, you would have a great opening only from curiosity, for bigger and famed directors, as they have proved their mettle and have an almost impeccable track record. I never understood the grandiose settings for Dunkirk and yet I gracefully stayed off critiquing it, assuming that my humble IQ prevented me from getting the essence of what the genius director was trying to portray.
Ranbir's post teen intro starts off with Rahman's music rehashed and we immediately are transported to 90-2000's, somehow I could draw parallel to my younger days wherein I was one of the few without two left feet. Innocent, innocuous and oft shy of attention but dance floor never scared me and that's where I found myself.
At its very core, this is a love story but in tragedy genre. A son yearns for forbidden love and the thirst remains unquenched inspite of the vagaries in his life.
The standouts for the movie in order are - Ranbir, BGM, Action Choreography and Novelty factor, music and weird screenplay. While other points are self explanatory, weird screenplay may need some clarification. Sandeep either allows for normal run of the mill situation to etch itself on the movie reel or creates situation so fanatic that its imagination may find its origination back to an insane yet beautiful mind.
Coming to the superstar, I once remember that Shah Rukh in an interview stated that he is last of the stars and I had no reason to doubt that. Now I do, Ranbir who always possessed that 'x' factor never outshone his blue blood predecessors but here he is flipping middle finger to the industry who had but ruled him as down and out post multiple failures. I could imagine his plight that in spite of all honesty and sheer brilliance, he was still not making the elite list and was overshadowed by much lesser actors. I am ecstatic that he has arrived and as a SuperStar. If this is fanboyism, proud to do just that.
The movie has splattered the canvas with shades of crimson and I love it. Gore needs to be treated with respect else it feels dastardly. Ranbir spreading his arms like a bald eagle with knife in his hands is a sight to behold and this is when he is smeared in blood.
The casting is just top notch, everyone including Ranbir's entourage fit the bill. It is a bespoke choice. There are multiple high points in the movie and it keeps you hooked for the most parts. The trailer showed us one of the beautiful intimate encounter wherein both characters are at their most vulnerable. How often do you find yourself in a situation wherein you are not wrong and you didn't yield but that had negative results in the future. Don't equate this with ego.
Of the things, I would change - extended romantic \ marital Discord scenes and Kashmir song. However the post credit scene explains the significance of the first criciticsm partly. Also I would genuinely like to have Bobby grab my eyeballs for just that little bit extra. The Powerpoint like transition is his intro and it is followed by Jamal Jamaloo song, something we don't understand but can groove to. From here, we are made aware of his feral instincts almost immediately. He is fierce, untamed but has intense love being conveyed almost deceptively through his eyes. I now see Bobby with renewed respect, for the actor he is and more so for the human he seems to be. Definitely a phoenix in the film industry. Special mention to Rashmika and Anil Kapoor, they have dug deep and come out all aces. The scene wherein Rashmika was grinding her teeth found its way to crass memes upon release of the trailer. In the movie, it is one of the best monologues delivered with utmost conviction. She stands tall in front of the towering personality and literally trades punches when due. Anil Kapoor does what he does best, laden with confidence plays a character that cannot easily be loathed.
Love the lyrics of the B Praak song and could wish that I had little more courage to stand for what I really am. The climax is thrilling followed by a Tsunami of emotions and then back to the original theme - it leaves you on tenterhooks, maybe for next 3-4 years.
Loved the experience and yes, the wait was worth it.
Sixer (2022)
Outta the park
TVF has a way to play with your heart strings with the most docile characters and without the need for any flamboyant drama. This series too has a slice of life plot with its foundation hinged squarely at importance of sportsmanship. It addresses various topics like gender equality, narcissism, complying with the norm, repressed emotions, political clout etc.
At its core are a motley bunch who somehow stitch together a cricket team for playing in a third rung tennis ball tournament organised by the local politician/goon. They are rank underdogs and have one star player who manages to eke them out of loosing positions.
Here the conundrum is that even the star realises that his talent has minimal real world meaning to a cricket crazed nation. He plays tennis ball cricket with mediocre prize money as income and on the other hand a player selected for India is accounting for his ad revenues in crores. However his male ego plays the devil and he considers his own interests above that of the team. To which, the captain swiftly shows him the door. There are others in the team who are fighting their own inner demons - a late 30's guy who conformed to the norms set by society, now breaks shackles to live his dream of playing cricket and this is an emotional relatable moment.
The star realises his ignominy and also its rationale and has a change of heart. He refuses to bend to the politician, mends relationships with his family and friends and is now batting for his team in the tournament's finale with gusto as if it is his last hurrah.
The series ends on a sombre note with hints of green off shoots. The star is now a changed humble man and has sights set out for the stars.
I loved the series - have deducted one star - pardon my ignorance but does the commentator need to be so irritating and blunt.