Movie Recommendation: Okuribito (Departures)

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Note: If you are in a mood to reflect on life, death and family and relationships, this is it. This movie is available on YouTube (yay!) with English subtitles.

IMDB entry: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1069238/
Genre: Drama, Family, Japanese

Jumping right in. This is the story of an unemployed cello player Diago, who leaves Tokyo and returns to his hometown to find himself a job. He mistakes an ad in the local paper for a job in a travel agency only to find out later that the job is of a "Nokanshi" or NK agent - a professional who prepares deceased bodies for funeral. He is despised by his wife and friends for taking up such a forbidden job. But in this job Diago finds himself, reconciles with his dad and understands the true meaning of life, relationships and death.

Before I continue, a fair warning that this movie can be slow in parts - but rightly so. It is only by taking time to reflect you tend to appreciate both the beauty and sorrow in life. This movie is in the same genre as Akira Kurosawa's "Ikiru" - a poignant reflection on the meaning of life when you watch death in the face. This is also a story of loss and how painful it is to realize you no longer have that privilege to spend life's cherished moments with your loved ones.

The movie has a soulful background score that elevates the mood in the story. There is also plenty of good old-fashioned humor (specially in the first half of the movie). The movie also uncovers some of the deepest Japanese beliefs and customs on the after life of the departed. I was really surprised by the whole notion of a life after death and how the deceased are carefully prepared for a peaceful journey after death in Japanese tradition. Unlike movies that deal with death with a lot of melodrama, this one is a lot more subtle and less cliched.

The movie also explores in part Daigo's own battle with returning to his origins and his despise for his dad who left him and his mother when he was young. In life we always hold a lifetime grudge and cant reconcile with it, and yet we realize that to forgive and let go of the past is the only way to free ourselves. The movie benefits from some of the fine acting by the cast, stunning direction and beautiful depiction of relationships.

Only in Japan, even a death ritual can be a form of art. The more I see and learn about Japanese culture, the more I am inclined to believe how rich and traditional their culture is. We have all lost or remember someone whom we love and miss and this movie is a tribute to those who have left us. A reminder that life is not all about ourselves, but also the beautiful and long lasting relationships we form.

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: 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.