Amu: Movie Review

Rating: ****

Ever since I started writing movie reviews, I have been starved for a good film. Not even once have I been inclined to give any film more than three or three+1/2 stars, and usually had to look for points to defend my rating. Well, the drought has finally coem to an end, and I am more than happy with the film that has broken the barrier. Yes, Amu is an excellent film, coming straight from the heart of the debutante director Shonali Bose from Bengal.

Starring Konkonasen Sharma as the protagonist (oddly called Kaju in the film), this film is a truly wonderful experience, and the first thing that comes to mind the superb quality of direction and screenplay. The charcaters are so close to real life, so very believable and anyone and everyone would empathise with the cast - be it anyone. Shonali has imbued crdibility into a story that could have easily gone haywire with inept handling.

On the surface, Amu is the story of an NRI girl Kaju who comes to India for a vacation to her mother's family and also trying to get to know her past - she knows she is an adopted child but does not know anything about her parents. The story uncovers the various sweet and bitter truths that her journey has in store for her. Her path crosses with a guy called Kabir, who helps her in her mission. And she finds herself in utter confusion and helplessness as she gets tangled in a mesh of the history of riots that shook India in 1984 after Indira Gandhi's assasination. How the story unfolds and what she finds out and how is the crux of the story. Although I usually refrain from giving any idea of the storyline in my reviews, I am assuring that I havent revealed that you would hamper your viewing. I just had to narrate this much to make my point in the review ahead. To stress how commendable Shonali Bose is for her work.

After Mr and Mrs Iyer, Konkona has not really delivered any strong performance to compare. Her Page 3 was very average if anything. But Amu reaffirms my faith in her. She is truly wonderful in her role. She has worked hard on her accent, and it pais off, because she does "sound like" an NRI - very much so. Not only that, her acting overall is first rate, and she lends a lot of credibility to her character. Yashpal Sharma (a.k.a. Laakha from Lagaan) and Brinda Karat (famous left party politician) also do full justice to their roles. And all the other artistes make you feel that you are watching 'real people'. The Bengali family that Amu's mother belongs to is a pure delight to watch. No fancy dresses or flashy make up or gay cousins (these days it has become a fad to have a gay character in the film) or stupid romances in the background - just a simple family. And there are several moments in the film where you would think (or may be even say it aloud) - "Oh God! I do the same thing." or "Wow! Feels like my family" or "Hey, I act like that when I go to. ..blah blah blah". And thats the screenplay's forte. It makes the whole story look so believable. No wonder that Shonali Bose admits (had the honor to attend a Q&A session after the film) that a lot of this has been derived from real life stories that she has learnt about from her numerous encounters with the victims of the 1984 riots.

Not even for one moment that I feel glamorization of any character or situation. Everything seemed 'normal'. The turbulence of the situation hasbeen conveyed very subtly, without any meloframa. No wailing or shouting scenes to show that the actors can act. No exy dudes or dudettes, no item numbers, no barechesting and no villains. There is ample symbolic fixtures and scenes, and you see people doing things that they really do - take a train, buy a pack of biscuits, eat choley-bhatoora, talk, walk and talk on phone. The props and art direction is very appropriate for the film. No lavish sets or grand eye candy locales. And yet the film holds your attention completely.

The film tells a story, holds a message and still does not get preachy or overdone. The various subtle facets of the 1984 riots and the after effects have been beautifully captured. No fingers are pointed, but it is very clear what the director'sintentions are. State sponsored terrorism is hinted at, but no names mentioned. What government officials, IAS officers did/did not do is shown, but no sides taken. Wha goons and thugs did is referred to, but the good and bad in their actions is left open for people to think about. Violence is indicated and portrayed, but the visualization ot graphic.

I am not sure how to express several other thoughts that race through my head after seeing the movie, but it sure was an experience to take back home, and think about later.
A must watch for all those who like meaningful cinema.