Movie Recommendation: The Kid (by Charlie Chaplin)

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Note: Got 50 mins? Never seen a Charlie Chaplin movie? Want to see a silent movie? Ever seen a dramedy or don't know one? Got kids and want to watch a movie with them? Then this is the movie to watch! It is available on YouTube here

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0012349/

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Children, Family

I am not sure what took me so long to watch full length Charlie Chaplin movies. Perhaps the stereotype that it is more suited for kids? Or his buffoonery is not for the mature? Or just that Black & White silent movies are not really the trend today. Whatever it was, I am happy I am not under that spell anymore. Because Charlie Chaplin my friends, is a cinematic genius. To really appreciate the dark humor you must watch his movies - trust Chaplin to mix melancholy with slapstick so beautifully. He might as well be called the Father of Dramedy.

                    

More about the movie now. The opening credits roll: "A comedy with a smile and perhaps a tear"

Now that I have seen this movie, couldn't sum it up better! The movie follows the story of an unwanted baby that is found near a garbage can by a tramp (Chaplin). After unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the baby, Chaplin decides to adopt him (calls him John). Chaplin and his son lead a life of poverty masked by strokes of humor that can only happen in a Chaplin movie - dodging a local policeman, getting into street fights, pulling pranks, running on the rooftops etc. For a moment you forget they are tramps - they don't live comfortable lives. The story takes a turn when the kid's biological mother discovers him and the authorities take him away. What will happen to Chaplin and the kid? Will they get back together again?

I don't know who did the role of the kid or what became of him (it is a 1921 movie, none of our parents were even close to being born at the time), he was nothing short of a great actor. There is an endearing scene where the kid is twisted away from Chaplin and the kid breaks into tears. It was just heartbreaking to watch, specially with the kid acting it out so damn well. That too in a silent movie. Remarkable! 

The movie runs barely an hour. Yes, we have seen Chaplin's comedy routines as the bumbling tramp in bits and pieces. But have we watched a full length feature where he also plays a serious role? Nope. For all the lame stuff we pedal to our kids these days, this movie is a far better choice. Do a favor, grab this movie and watch it with your kids - they will love it to pieces.

It is obvious that I am hook, line and sinker for Chaplin after this movie - The Kid is Chaplin's master stroke. If you haven't watched it yet, you should ask yourself - why haven't you?

Movie Recommendation: Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon)

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Note: I was specifically looking for a movie that would warm my heart - this one seemed like a custom fit. Thank you Hulu Plus!

IMDB Entry: Le Ballon Rouge

Genre: Children, French

As a kid growing up in an average India middle class family, my source of entertainment (TV/movies) was the national television channel in India - Doordarshan :) Needless to say, I didn't really have a broad exposure to classic children's movies at the time (I think we made do with cartoons then?). Now I wish I had seen a movie, such as this one, then.

The good news is it is available to watch on YouTube (yay to Internet!):

                     

The Red Balloon is a funny, simple story of a red balloon (duh!) that is rescued by a little boy. The balloon dotes on the boy and follows him everywhere through the streets of Paris (to his school, church etc.) and they seem to form a bond that is the envy of the local kids. The kids get fascinated and want to destroy the balloon when it seems impossible to rip it apart from its owner (welcome to the real world! when you cant have it, destroy it). The climax is heartbreaking but also uplifting at the same time.

The camera work is exquisite. I am not familiar with Parisian streets, but it looks like the movie captures a very picturesque 1950's Paris - cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, victorian balconies, old school  staircases, little bakeries with delectable pastries and baguettes. The kid - main protagonist in the movie - is charming and effortlessly carries the film with almost no dialogs spoken in the movie. The movie has a background score that brings out the mood in the film. The movie flows like an adventure - very well deserved Oscar for the screenplay. This movie is definitely a treat to watch - and a masterpiece for short movie making connoisseurs. 

This movie is definitely recommended for young children (and as well for adults if you are looking for a short feel good film).  It stands as a metaphor for hope, love, loyalty and devotion - something we rarely find these days. It is a little reminder that life is all about tiny treats. As kids, we hold on to some things dearly and never let go. Our devotion and love is genuine. It almost melts your heart to see the boy's mother throw the balloon out of the window but the balloon hangs in the air, by the side of the balcony, waiting for the little boy to reclaim it. I think that does dig up our own fond memories of things we possessed as a kid :)

This movie is like eating a warm toasted bread with melted butter on top. Now, who doesn't like that?:)

Movie recommendation: Stanley ka Dabba (Stanley's Lunch Box)

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Note: It takes a lot (for me) to like a kid-centric movie. Yes, I am heartless like that. It took me two times and undivided attention to even appreciate Taare Zameen Par. But this one is different. It is a winner from the get go.

IMDB Entry: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1907761/

Genre: Children, Family, Drama

If there is a movie that can connect to you in nostalgic ways, this is it. It brings back your school days. Of trivial fights, innocent friendships, crushes on teachers and the like. Plus, an important message delivered to the audience is the icing on the cake. Every movie story must connect with the audience, emotionally, for the greatest impact. And Stanley ka Dabba has this one in the bag.

Stanley is your average high school kid. He is bright, smart and a favorite among kids and his "Rosy" teacher. His friends share their lunches (tiffin boxes) with him since he doesn't get his own (his excuse is his mother is out of town so there is no one at home to prep his lunch box). Meanwhile a gluttony school teacher who teaches Stanley's class sets eyes on their substantial lunch boxes. Stanley's friends are not too happy about it and evade the teacher by changing their lunch spots everyday. But not too long, as the teacher soon understands that he is being tricked. Out of anger and humiliation he asks Stanley to attend school only when he can bring his own lunch box. Will Stanley get his own lunch box? What is the mystery behind his lunch box? This forms the rest of the story.

Without giving too much away, this is what works for the movie - a suspenseful precedent (why doesn't Stanley get his lunch box?), heartwarming high school moments, subtle digs at Indian teachers who emphasize rote over practical projects (yes, our education system is wrong in so many ways) and a surprising but impactful message at the end of the movie. You come to understand in the end that "dabba" (lunch box) was only used as a metaphor for the greater message it wants to get across.

Incidentally the director, Amole Gupte was also the writer for Taare Zameen Par (a film on dyslexic kids). And no, both movies have no similarities and neither is it a sequel (the kind of assumptions people make, uff!) In fact, he excels much more here with his storytelling that sounds far less preachy and yet has a far reaching message to deliver. A message that will leave you brooding for a couple of minutes after the movie ends. The genius lies in the honest treatment and the powerful climax that ties in with the story beautifully. 

It isn't every other day that you come across honest cinema with a good message. Sometimes I wonder why Bollywood movie folks are spending boat loads of money on insubstantial, brain-dead and purposeless stories when they could easily make a dozen such meaningful movies. Stanley ka Dabba proves that cinema can be both honest and entertaining at the same time. And for that you owe yourself (and your family) to watch it.

Plus heartstrings will be strummed. Guaranteed.