Another movie post - Dil Chahta Hai...

Its the only movie of which I have seen all 4 shows. No, No, not on the same day. Am not that crazy. To add to that, I have seen it countless no. of times on TV. Last time being three days back - when I caught the last 20 mins.

Since then, I have been oscillating between - to-blog-about-it-or-not-to-blog-about-it. Mostly because, I have just put up a post on movies (Jerry Maguire) and people might find it repetitive. But then I realised, all of 2 people read the blog - thats me in the morning (all fresh and happy) and me in the evening (jaded and tired) and both of them wont mind reading about it - so what the hell. Here goes.....

DCH did not send the cash registers ringing. Nor was it a cult movie. I mean, it did not start a revolution - a la Rang De Basanti, or motivated a whole lot of parents naming their son Raj a la DDLJ or make people teary eyed going ga ga about joint families a la HAHK. But there is a freshness about the movie which just does not fade away. So, in true corporate style (saying this as I am blogging from the office-influence rubbing off), what are the take aways -

1. New and improved Saif - Before we got Parineeta, Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste, Omkaara there was DCH. Somewhere, on the sets of DCH he discovered uber coolness and perfect sense of comic timing. Fortunately, both have stayed with him ever since.

2. Aamir's goatee - What do we say about him? Who would have thought that after playing the unforgettable role of village hero Bhuvan in Lagaan - in the very same year he himself will break the mould and reincarnate as SCST (super-cool-stud-types) Aakash. His hair style gave all barbers an excuse to give a lousy hair cut (sir, ekdum aamir khan types baal kaata hai) and made goatee the new in-thing.

3. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Did they do any movies before DCH or they were just too busy getting a PhD in advertising jingles? Truly, they are a gift to music. We have heard them in a whole lot of movies ever since but DCH is where their cliched sun rose for the first time.

4. Friendship - Friendship has been the object of many movies (Sholay is the first one that comes to mind) but Farhan handled it in a really realistic way, something I connected with instantly. Friends having fun at college and playing pranks, Friends having an argument, Friends crossing the line, Friends walking away for something which can be resolved with a simple sorry, Friends still feeling the connect despite all differences and distance, and Friends being friends again (thank fully), albeit in a different more mature more understanding way.

5. Farhan Akhtar - I could not believe this was his first movie. I am no expert in movie making - for that matter, not really an expert in anything. I am an MBA - what did you expect. Bloody &*%(*^*&^&^. Go take a walk. But really - such finesse in story telling! He strengthened my faith in Genes (He is the progeny of Honey Irani and Javed Akhtar). I just hope, mine start showing their effect sometime soon. Its been 26 years already. Start working... dammit!!

Well, can go ranting on and on. But then work would suffer and you would suffer too - reading more of me. So will stop.

If you think of something I have missed - feel free to add.

Coming soon - A post on Mumbai - the city I love to hate but (OK, I confess) would probably hate to leave now.

Jerry Maguire...

Watched it yesterday night. Let me add here - have watched it atleast 7 times before this. But the beauty of Cinema - it always throws up new angles, new thoughts and the energy to actually get off your ass after a fairly heavy day at work and blog about it.

I wonder, how could Cameron Crowe fit in the following in all of 139 mins:

1. Best breaking up scene (quiet) - When Renee Zellweger breaks up with Tom Cruise. She starts with "Its my fault"; you throw your head back, think "not another woman taking it on herself while actually saying - "Its you, moron!! your f^&*^%g fault", saying out loudly "bah" and getting up to get something from the fridge. Just then, she launches into a monologue which makes her sound totally believable, makes you shake your head in agreement and curse yourself for thinking bad things about Renee. All else is OK but how could think bad about her - she is Reneeeee.... havent you seen Bridget Jones's series.

2. Best Breaking up scene (loud) - Unlike the first one, this keeps you hooked. Atleast, kept me hooked. (Does it mean - I like my women loud and feisty and balls-kicking. No, I have only one pair and I dont think I would like a tinge of blue color on them). The best part of the scene is - the split second change of emotions - While Kelly Preston is haranguing Tom for losing out on a contract, Tom realises he wants to break up. In a second, kelly feels she has done the wrong thing and does not want to break up. In the next second, she feels this cant be happening to her and she will be losing (in case you have not figured yet - she is super competitive, really hot chick who has never been dumped). Next second, she is over him, angry and punches the hell out of his face and gives his balls theblue tinge (which i re highlight - I dont like on mine)

3. Best Father - son bonding scenes - Will have to say scenes coz the relationship evolves. From friendly banter in the car (Renee and her son go to drop Tom at the airport. Tom and son play a game of "Did you know....") to keeping secrets and soulful listening (when Tom drops over at Renee's place and is totally broken) to the utterly touching hug that the son gives Tom when he is taking Renee out on a date to the Morning - over the breakfast-eating cereals bonding. I think its truly amazing.

4. Best Friends - Again an evolution. Starts with Cuba Gooding saying "Show me the money" and Tom saying "You are all I have got" to venting out anger (by both Tom outside the airport) to complete care and love that a friend deserves.

5. Best making up scene - Setting - Tom and Renee have broken up. He, the dud realises that he cannot live without her, comes running back to a house where a bunch of divorced women are chatting about "how empty their lives are". Tom walks in, says Hello and hajjaar other stuff. For me, its the line of the movie. All Renee says is "You had me at Hello...."

It just makes me wonder, how could Cameron Crowe fit it all in 139 mins. Have I said it before. Am I repeating myself. Yes, you dud - coz am still wondering. Why, even our coffee guy Karan Johar needs triple the time to talk about any one of the above.

Bottom Line - If you have not seen the movie - watch it.
If you have, watch it again. You will enjoy.