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Reviews
Love, Honor and Behave (1938)
Non-politically correct point that really fits
It's refreshingly non-politically correct. It shows both a man and a women eventually choosing adulthood...but in a quirky way that makes modern feminists cringe. But that cringe factor actually makes the point even more important. You see, this has a twist ending.
Yes, the woman gets spanked in the end. That's common in older movies and TV shows - I Love Lucy has several. But remember, not that long ago it was LEGAL to do so, and even thought of as moral and right. But this is different than many movie spankings. In this one, she openly rebukes the people trying to stop it! The wife understands, the husband understands, and we as the viewer are asked to understand. In the view of that culture, it is more adult to be held accountable than it is to be an irresponsible manipulative child.
Acceptance of the spanking was her finally choosing adulthood. It was her crown of glory for allowing it, and his for giving it. The spanking ends up being more feminist than many would like to admit - she CHOOSES as a woman (finally a woman) to accept it. Although every culture manages to think itself right and every other culture barbaric, if you stop and try to see it through her eyes, you might be surprised.
The point of the movie seems to be that adults need to choose to be adults. Not wimpy, not easy to be knocked down in life. But willing to choose to act and accept adulthood. While spanking might not be the modern way to act that out, the main point is a solid one.
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003)
Loved the tremendous scene of the 2nd wedding
No big spoilers, but a few very small ones.
Someone mentioned that they didn't like the movie due to making Pakastanis out to be bad guys. They didn't understand the movie. The hero actually catches a Pakastan flag and honors it, stating openly that his problem was with the terrorists, NOT the people of the country. One of the side characters does insult a Pakastani at the end of the movie, but he's just in character - he was rebuked earlier by the male hero for his hard heart.
I am new to Bollywood films, so I can't compare it to others. But I was amazed by how much was in this movie. It's an event. Hollywood would have probably made Part 1 and Part 2 instead -- but I guess that's what Bollywood does, it "gives you your money's worth".
The second wedding scene was great. To spend over an hour deepening a love story, only to have the one tear and other details in this scene, was very moving. The bracelet, the slight shaking of the brides head when getting the bracelet, the eye movements of the bride after the big dance, ...
To enjoy this movie, don't think too hard. Yes, it has incredible one-in-a-billion coincidences. Just ignore it, and go on. Lots of action, a deep love story, some crafty plots, and some catchy tunes. I've seen far worse!
Oh, and if you are from the West, be warned. It's all about Muslim sensibilities, and to a lesser extent Hindu. Christians don't exist, nor do some western sensibilities. For example, there is a arrogance/pride song, where the hero (a spy) tries to impress others in his Islamic faith - much different from Christian virtue of humility, as it is all about his human strength in keeping external rules.
It's great to see virtue and purity and virginity so greatly honored.