tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634607205622614424.post2585600028784384751..comments2023-09-24T14:32:57.972+05:30Comments on Random Musings ..: Dibakar's Shanghai : Too Clever By Half!Sathyuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07852818276879627691noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634607205622614424.post-84111825191458722602012-06-16T18:47:29.996+05:302012-06-16T18:47:29.996+05:30To have the better comparison of both "Z"...To have the better comparison of both "Z" of Costa Gavras and "Shanghai" of Dibakar Banerjee, I watched both on successive days. It was more necessary as both films were based on same Greek novel"Z".<br /><br /> 'Z' film is taken in realistic method of filming. It was closer to Documentary style. It suites perfectly to the subject of the film. Hits hard into one's face especially to the serving bureaucrats and persons from compromising middle class society. At the end, it made me extremely guilty for my mistakes/compromises. Also for the unending criminality caused by the fellow beings. Film was very good till the final minutes. But the final sequence, detailing the Army takeover of the Government and ban of Tolstoy, Becket, Dostoyevsky, music, democracy, etc., raises the film to the epic. Rarely, one gets disturbed to such an extent as by seeing this film.<br /><br /> Shanghai is good in many respects. But the problem, probably, is in the method of story telling. This serious film should have been told in more realistic manner. Somewhere, its details are attached weakly to the ground realities. The shrewdness shown by the Krishnan at the end, Professor's wife becoming Politician, sweeping changes in the lives of the main characters towards the last, are the weak areas. <br /><br /> But, certain visuals are haunting to the core. Kalki offering her body to the videographer, her coming close to porno videographer, known character responsible for the death of Professor, scene of foot ball jumping into the enquiry room, are touchingly portrayed. The acting of male actors esp. serial kisser is surprisingly good. <br /><br /> But, this is any time better than 'Peeply live'(melodramatic stuff). director has not compromised with any thing because of association with big studio. Very nice attempt even though it is not completely successful.red earth and pouring rain.noreply@blogger.com