Cinema Paradiso

Love Aaj Kal

2009-08-01T00:39:00.006+05:30

Imtiaz Ali's pedigree comes from two delectable delights of love stories Socha Na Tha and Jab We Met...so it is quite justified that one enters the theater screening his latest, Love Aaj Kal with immensely high expectations and which in most cases is the bane of any movie. But that is the price a filmmaker pays for making a path-breaking movie and am pretty sure Imtiaz is happy to pay it. So are the expectations met with? The answer is Yes...not a resounding, silencing yes but yes nonetheless!!!

LAK like Imtiaz's previous two is a romantic tale albeit with a difference. This tale comes seeped in the backdrop of realism and practicalities, of following logic dictated by the brain in matters of the heart and of having relationships without the unnecessary emotional bogeys attached. But of course as all of us, including the practical "way of life" preaching youth, know that where there's a relationship, can emotions be far behind? The clincher here though is how the movie drills this fact into it's lead character's head...by juxtaposing the modern tale of love with another, much cuter love story of the 60's the director almost seals the deal. I say almost coz the modern love story never quite reaches the crescendo of emotions which would make the audience root for the lovers as they root for the older generation lovers.

Jai [Saif] and Meera [Deepika] play two young Londoners who are game enough for the casual flings and flirts but choose to end the relationship amicably when the need to relocate for career prospects stares them in the face. "Long distance relationships just don't work", they say and go on to celebrate a "break-up" party with friends. Enter Rishi Kapoor who after observing the casualness of their relationship decides to enthrall Saif with his own love story set in Delhi/Calcutta of the 60's which ultimately becomes the harbinger of Saif realizing that he's in the truly madly type of love with Deepika. Of course, before they do end up realizing all of this they end up "breaking up" a couple of more times:P and having relationships with other partners with Deepika even getting married. The two stories take parallel tracks with the movie flipping in between the timelines with sumptuous ease and finally culminating in a happily ever after end for all.

The strong points of the movie are many but let's first talk about the things which do not work. The secret of any endearing love story is to make the audience start rooting and praying for the lovers but that just doesn't happen with Jai and Meera...on the contrary the track never quite reaches the emotional highs or maybe the director wanted it to be a no-frills drama but that is no argument for lack of depth in emotions. Deepika's character is not well developed and she's not yet a powerful enough actress to hide those inconsistencies with just her performance. The sudden end to the love story of Veer and Harleen along with that absolutely mindless scene where Saif is mugged by thugs because he refuses to give them Deepika's picture are other weak points of the movie.

What works beautifully though is the setting up of Veer and Harleen track...there's just the right amount of cuteness along with the passion and emotion which make you fall in love with the two characters. Also, the effective editing which allows the easy flipping between the timelines along with the foot tapping music are other strong points.

But if there's one thing which really makes the movie a great watch, it is the witty one-liners and quirky dialogues...right from the "Mango people" to the "Medical insurance hai na" to the "Main baad mein maafi bhi maang lungi" to the "Main tumse kyun baat karoon" and of course the best one "Hamare zamaane mein yeh kuch bhi chane badaam ke tarah nahin milta tha", it is these brilliant lines spaced out throughout the movie which are the real charmers.

The scene where Harleen surreptitiously brings Veer a cup of black tea and the platform scene where she changes her seat just so that both of them can view each other for just a wee bit longer are absolute heart warmers.
There is this brilliantly conceived song "Main Kya Hoon" where the director shows Saif flipping from exhilaration to normalcy to monotone and finally to depression which deserves special praise.
Another beautiful scene is the one where relieved of all romantic pressures Saif and Deepika tell each other their "not good" points which symbolizes all that's good about LAK.

Coming to the performances, Saif does well in both the parts although Jai is not something which he has not done before. Deepika tries hard and does decently. Rishi Kapoor is a delight but it is the debutante Giselle who with not more than 4 lines and mostly with the help of her eyes conveying much more leaves a mark.

Imtiaz does well as a director and while LAK may not add any new feathers in his cap, it does justify the ones that are already present. He uses a novel way of telling an oft repeated tale and almost succeeds. His first half is as breezy as his earlier films but the second half drags a bit and he looses some control. But once again it's the dialogue writer in him who is the real star.

Rating:- 6.5/10

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

2009-07-22T04:12:00.004+05:30

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince is the 6th movie in the HP series and comes with the baggage of measuring upto the 6th book which has a chilling climax. So when I sat down to watch the movie I was literally praying that the makers do not botch the climax. So how is the climax done...We'll come back to it later.

The plot of the movie basically tracks down Harry's 6th year @ Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The plot in the movie is more like setting up the ground pieces for the final showdown which is fast approaching. Here, Harry under the tutelage of Dumbledore is shown going through memories pertaining to Tom Riddle's early life thereby researching and analyzing the enemy. Of course, a good measure of Quidditch is thrown in along with a couple of new ingredients, beating hearts and raging hormones.

Coming to the movie, considering that darkness is just round the corner, there are liberal doses of humor which come as a welcome relief. However, as viewed later there is too much emphasis on humor. One does understand that the director tries to show there is more to life than dark wizards and prophecies but coming at the cost of important subplots, it seems frivolous, to say the least.

The memories of Dumbledore unleash the chilling introduction of Tom Riddle which is brilliantly handled as is the pre-climax cave "horcrux hunting" scene. A special mention to the racy background score during the cave sequence must be made. It as pretty amazing to view how the director brings out the vivid imagination of Rowling on the screen...the special effects are breathtaking and detailing shows through.

However, as has been the bane of earlier Potter movies, this too makes some changes in the storyline incorporating and deleting some scenes and information. Now, one does understand the need for it and it is perfectly acceptable when seemingly unimportant sidetracks are omitted or are given less screen time but what irks here is the lack of emphasis on key plots and information. Even the Harry-Ginny track which has been considerable given screen time but is yet not done well. The track is all about the gradual realization on Harry's part of his feelings for Ginny which then explode in that searing kiss after the Quidditch game...however, in the movie the charm diminishes a lot as Harry and Ginny are shown eyeing each other from the very beginning and that moment of passion is replaced by a tender peck which hardly helps.

Ron-Hermione track is handled well as is Harry's frequent run-ins with Slughorn especially the scene where Harry finally convinces Slughorn to part with the memory is beautifully done.

Coming to the climax, it is a downer.Period.

The very grain of Harry's character dictates that he rushes out when he finds his loved ones in danger. In light of this, it is an absolute travesty that the movie shows a mobile Harry watching solemnly as Dumbledore is killed. A mobile Harry would have rushed out on seeing Dumbledore cornered and reduced the odds seemingly. This shocking change in the screenplay goes about showing Harry as weak and doddering in nature which is so not him.

The whole fight in the corridors below the Astronomy Tower is deleted from the movie which results in giving the impression of Hogwarts being a soft target as Death Eaters calmly stroll in, kill the Headmaster and leave almost nonchalantly.

The omitting of Dumbledore's funeral in totality leaves one unsatiated as the sense of loss does not quite hit home and that dialogue between Harry and Ginny in the end is missing too. This inspite of the scene having all the ingredients to make a nice, heart wrenching closure sequence.

The tiara and Riddle's eye for trophies is not mentioned which is such an important piece of information in the scheme of things in the next movie.
What irks more is that all this is not omitted for the lack of time because there is a ridiculous Burrow burning scene created out of thin air which has no bearing on the plot and comes across as a cheap thrills attempt.

The acting is mostly good with special mention being made of Jim Broadbent and Alan Rickman. It is also clear that Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Thompson are blossoming into fine actors. Rupert Grint evokes the most laughs owing to his caught in a love triangle act and he pulls it off well. Also, Evanna Lynch as Luna is quirkily brilliant. Tom Felton and Bonnie Wright for once get to build their characters and they do it pretty well. Michael Gambon is good as usual.

To conclude, Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince is a decent movie but the climax just ruins it completely. Watch it of course, to see the enchanting world come alive and well, just for being an HP movie. You cannot not watch it after all:)

Rating: 5/10

Moments That Are Etched Forever

2009-02-03T08:41:00.004+05:30

I am an avid movie watcher...Movies are an integral part of my life...over the years I have seen countless movies...among them there have been various moments that continue to remain etched on the mind...these are cinematic moments which refuse to leave me...which continue to spell bind me even now...today I just go ahead and compile a list of such moments in no particular order...today I am restricting myself to just Hindi movies...also some of the most brilliant Hindi movies are those which have been made in the 50's n 60's which I have not watched a lot...so this is just a compilation on the movies that I have had the privilege to watch...So here goes,

### Mughal-E-Azam is perhaps Hindi cinema's first and all time best classic...and it is no great surprise then that this movie is punctuated with some of the most engrossing scenes ever filmed...however there is one scene which stands out with me...on being presented with thorns by DK, Madhubala says that ohh so amazing line "Zehnaseeb, kaanton ko murjhaane ka khauff nahin hota"...lyrical!!!

### Deewar is probably one of the redefining movies of Hindi cinema and this movie had many defining scenes...however the one that stands out is the scene when a grown up Amitabh once again has money thrown to him and he coolly remarks "Main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahin leta"...amazing, just amazing.

### The climax scene from Sadma when Kamal Hassan tries in vain to titillate the memories of Sridevi by performing lampooning antics with a helpless expression on his face.

### Prem Rog's scene when in the garb of the dark Shammi Kapoor advices RK to run away with Padmini Kolhapuri and the subsequent reply from RK at the end of which the lights come on...cinematic magic.

### Scene from Masoom when the young Jugal Hansraj tells Shabana Azmi that he knows that Naseer is his dad.

### Amitabh in front of the mirror tending to his swollen and bruised face in Amar Akbar Anthony.

### Maine Pyar Kiya was probably the movie which brought back romance and love stories to Hindi cinema in a big way...no prizes for guessing then that there are some absolutely memorable scenes in this film...But the scene that remains with me is the one when SK comes with drenched notes and Alok Nath makes him realise their worthlessness...the look on SK's face as the notes flutter away in the wind...heartbreaking, I tell you.

### The final cycle race sequence in "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar"...everytime I watch it, it gives me goosebumps.

### Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema and of course it had some amazing sequences...the one that stands out apart from the brilliant extended climax scene is the one when Kajol asks SRK for his address so that she could call him for her wedding and he replies that he would not be attending...the focus shifts to Kajol's face as "Na jaane mere dil ko kya ho gaya" starts to serenade in the background.

### Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is widely regarded as being a trendsetting movie and it had it's fair share of cinematic brilliance...again this movie too had an amazing climax sequence but the one which I just cannot take out of my mind is the chandelier scene when Salman and Aish meet for the first time...brilliant, romantic, confrontational...the scene not only etches out the nuances of the two characters but also perfectly sets the tone for the movie..."pehli mulaqat" has never ever been better.

### Dil Chahta Hai truly redefined the rules within Hindi cinema and the movie...especially the first half is filled with memorable scenes...however there is one scene in the climax when a guilty Aamir calls up Akshaye to apologise...Akshaye says he needs to apologise too on which Aamir retorts "Kisi aur din maang lena, aaj meri baari hai"...spectacular, just too good!!!

### Long before Jab We Met became a cult classic Imtiaz Ali had directed the wonderful Socha Na Tha...a delicious tale of how love finds a way to blossom this movie has a climax scene to die for...you have to see it to understand it.

### Many people found Bhansali's Devdas to be loud and overtly extravagant but no one can deny the sheer emotion and tragedy of that climax scene...beautifully portrayed and amazingly shot.

### The telephonic conversation scene between Hrithik and Boman in Farhan Ahtar's Lakshya.

### Maqbool was Irrfan Khan's breakthrough performance...and what a movie...everyone from Pankaj Kappor to Tabu were in fine form but it was Irrfan who took the cake especially in the scene where in the hospital he sees Masumi taking away his child...the look in the eyes was just...wow really!!!

### Tere Naam for me will always remain a script which needed a better director...even so the climax scene in the movie is heart wrenching...and yes, Salman's expressions are to die for.

### Rang De Basanti is another movie filled with spellbinding scenes and brilliant lines...however there is one scene which stands out and amazingly enough it comes in the middle of a song...Waheeda Rahman on seeing the suitcase of her dead son collapses as Lukka Chuppi plays on...brought tears to my eyes.

### Chak De India is the best sport movie made in India...probably Srk's best performance to date...the expressions on his face as India win the final were just amazing...dazed and surprised to relief and then emotions choking him as he remembers his own injustices as Maula mere le le meri jaan plays on.

### Taare Zameen Par...another gut wrenching scene in the middle of the song...Tisca Chopra flitters through her son's drawing book which shows his gradual moving away from his family as Maa plays on...yes, this brought tears too.

### Vinay Pathak regaled us with his dumb act in Bheja Fry but he then goes on to perform a scene in Dasavidaniya which will probably be the best proposal in Indian cinema...standing in the rain as Neha Dhupia looks on, a teary eyed Pathak says it all just with his hands...poignant!!!

Glitterati 2008

2009-01-09T09:38:00.014+05:30

It is that time of the year again...yes it is the awards season...the time of the year when glittering ceremonies are held to bestow awards to the deserving and sometimes the not so deserving:D
Now I neither have a black or golden lady to hand out nor do I have an extravagant evening lined up...but that does not deter the movie fan(atic) in me to put out his own list of the chosen few.
So, without further ado...here goes the Glitterati Movie Awards 2008,

۩۩۩ Best Screenplay

Dasvidaniya
Rock On
Welcome To Sajjanpur
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
And the Glitterati goes to Oye Lucky Lucky Oye

۩۩۩ Best Background Score

Aamir
Jodha Akbar
Rock On
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Ghajini
And the Glitterati goes to Jodha Akbar

۩۩۩ Best Dialogues

A Wednesday
Jaane Tu Jaane Na
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Shaurya
And the Glitterati goes to A Wednesday

۩۩۩ Best Story

Welcome To Sajjanpur
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
Rock On
Tahaan
Aamir
And the Glitterati goes to Aamir

۩۩۩ Best Editing

Rock On
Ghajini
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
Aamir
And the Glitterati goes to Ghajini

۩۩۩ Best Action

Race
Ghajini
Jodha Akbar
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Heroes
And the Glitterati goes to Jodha Akbar

۩۩۩ Best Cinematography

Fashion
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Ghajini
Jodha Akbar
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
And the Glitterati goes to Mumbai Meri Jaan

۩۩۩ Best Choreography

Jodha Akbar
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Kismat Konnection
Race
And the Glitterati goes to Kismat Konnection

۩۩۩ Best Debut{Male}

Farhan Akhtar (Rock On)
Imran Khan (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Rajeev Khandelwaal (Aamir)
Prateik Babbar (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Anurag Sinha (Black And White)
And the Glitterati goes to Rajeev Khandelwaal

۩۩۩ Best Debut{Female}

Anushka Sharma (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Asin Thottumkal (Ghajini)
Adah Sharma (1920)
Shahana Goswami (Rock On/Ru Ba Ru)
Mughda Godse (Fashion)
Prachi Desai (Rock On)
And the Glitterati goes to Shahana Goswami

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Negative Role

Akshaye Khanna (Race)
Kay Kay Menon (Shaurya)
Harsh Chhaya (Fashion)
Urmila Matondkar (Karzzz)
Pradeep Rawat (Ghajini)
And the Glitterati goes to Kay Kay Menon

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Comic Role

# Naseeruddin Shah (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
# Abhishek Bacchan (Dostana)
# Purab Kohli (Rock On)
# Faarooq Sheikh (Saas Bahu Aur Sensex)
# Salman Khan (God Tussi Great Ho)
And the Glitterati goes to Abhishek Bacchan

۩۩۩ Best Playback Singer (Female)

Shreya Ghoshal (Teri Ore---Singh Is Kinng)
Shruti Pathak (Mar Jawan---Fashion)
Alka Yagnik (Tu Muskura---Yuvvraaj)
Rekha Bharadwaj (Haal-e-Dil---Haal-e-Dil)
Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai (Runa Rizvi---Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
And the Glitterati goes to Shruti Pathak

۩۩۩ Best Playback Singer (Male)

Rashid Ali (Kahin To Hogi---Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Benny Dayal (Tu Hi To Meri Dost Hai---Yuvvraaj)
Sonu Nigam (Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte---Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Javed Ali (Jashn-e-bahaaran---Jodha Akbar)
Himesh Reshammiya (Dhoom Tere Ishq Ki---Karzzz)
Atif Aslam (Bakhuda Tumhi Ho---Kismat Konnection)
And the Glitterati goes to Sonu Nigam

۩۩۩ Best Lyrics

Javed Akhtar (Jashn-e-bahaaran---Jodha Akbar)
Abbas Tyrewala (Kahin To Hogi---Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Jaideep Sahani (Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte---Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Gulzar (Tu Muskura---Yuvvraaj)
Vishal Dadlani (Kuch Kum---Dostana)
And the Glitterati goes to Abbas Tyrewala

۩۩۩ Best Music

A R Rahman (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Vishal-Shekhar (Dostana)
A R Rahman (Yuvvraaj)
Salim Sulaiman (Fashion)
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy {Rock On}
And the Glitterati goes to A R Rahman (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female)

Shefali Shah (Black And White)
Kangana Ranaut (Fashion)
Preity Zinta (Heroes)
Shahana Goswami (Rock On)
Ratna Pathak Shah (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
And the Glitterati goes to Kangana Ranaut

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male)

Arjun Raampal (Rock On)
Deepak Dobriyal (Shaurya)
Salman Khan (Heroes)
Sonu Sood (Jodha Akbar)
Paresh Rawal (Mumbai Meri Jaan)
And the Glitterati goes to Arjun Raampal

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female)

Priyanka Chopra (Fashion)
Aishwarya Rai (Jodha Akbar)
Adah Sharma (1920)
Genelia D'Souza (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Shahana Goswami (Ru Ba Ru)
Asin Thottumkal (Ghajini)
And the Glitterati goes to Priyanka Chopra

۩۩۩ Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male)

Aamir Khan (Ghajini)
Hrithik Roshan (Jodha Akbar)
Vinay Pathak (Dasvidaniya)
Abhay Deol (Oye Lucky Lucky Oye)
Shreyas Talpade (Welcome To Sajjanpur)
Naseeruddin Shah (A Wednesday)
And the Glitterati goes to Aamir Khan/Vinay Pathak

۩۩۩ Best Director

Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On)
Abbas Tyrewala (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)
Dibakar Banerjee (Oye Lucky Lucky Oye)
Shyam Bengal (Welcome To Sajjanpur)
Shashant Shah (Dasvidaniya)
And the Glitterati goes to Dibakar Banerjee

۩۩۩ Best Movie

Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
Rock On
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Dasvidaniya
Welcome To Sajjanpur
And the Glitterati goes to Rock On

The Shawshank Redemption

2008-09-20T01:29:00.008+05:30

There are movies and there are movies.....there are most which are made to entertain, to earn profits and to make stars and then there are some which are meant to educate, inspire and provoke a thought deep within...these are movies which are meant to be and " The Shawshank Redemption" is probably the brightest shining beacon of this genre of cinema. Intrinsically, a story of friendship between the most unlikely of characters, the movie is a beautiful and profound message of hope amidst scorching darkness.

A meticulously chiseled screenplay allows the movie to be a vehicle of multiple layers of thoughts. On the forefront it's a prison movie, yet by touching on the theme of a will to live and hope in the face of despair among such a motley of convicted humans, the movie is actually an analogy of freeing oneself from the prison of one's own mind...as is very aptly conveyed in the movie's tagline "Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free"

Based on Stephen King's "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", the movie tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a successful banker, who based on circumstancial evidence is convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to two successive life sentences at Shawshank Prison. There he meets and befriends Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, a veteran of the prison and it's go-getter. Amidst the four walls of the prison, Andy keeps his hopes alive and in an attempt to feel normal takes up initiatives such as enhancing the existing library, doing the tax accounts of all the officers and helping the convicts restart their studies. Amidst all of these, what he always keeps close to himself is the hope of a better tomorrow, the dream of breathing as a free man again which is immortalised by his words "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies".

Of course, he does live his dream when he escapes from the prison in dramatic fashion...however, even his escape is actually a story of courage, persistence and determination, of staring the problem in the face and looking for a solution rather than turning away in despair.
Also, on another layer the movie is the story of the transformation of Red from a non-believer ("hope is a dangerous thing, he says) to his ultimate realisaton and belief in the power of hope ("I hope I can make it across...I hope to meet my friend...I hope the Pacific...I hope.)

Moments:-

The scene on the terrace when all the convicts are drinking beer and Andy has that look of satisaction on his face is a treat. However, beating that is the moment of bliss that Andy exhibits when he puts on Mozart on the gramaphone for the whole prison to listen thereby making everyone feel normal and free for a small worthwile moment.
The two seemingly confrontational scenes between Andy and Red...one, where Andy talks about keeping hope alive deep within, where no one can touch it and the other where on Red's categorical dismissal of his dreams ("This is just shitty pipedreams...") , Andy retorts about it being a matter of choice ("Get busy livin or get busy dyin") bring out the dilemma of both the individuals to the fore very aptly.
The escape sequence, followed by Andy's moment of freedom and victory as he raises his hands in the air, half-naked, rain droplets rinsing him of dirt from the sewage and analogically cleansing him of his ordeal is pure magic.
And of course, the final scene, encapturing the ultimate redemption of the two friends is one which will lift the downest of hearts at their bleakest hours. The camera capturing the wide expanse of the Pacific as the two protagonists meet shows their sense of freedom. No longer are the prison mates confined by walls, iron bars and supervisory guards. Both are redeemed, reconnected and reunited with the precious possession of freedom.

Cast n Crew:-

Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne is perfectly cast. He brings about the necessary bit of sincerity to his character as he effectively portarys the emotions of determination and self doubt that his character goes through.
Morgan Freeman as Ellis Red is also equally brilliant, if not more. Essaying the character of a man who is a go-getter upfront and an obvious leader, he portrays the moments of his inner fear and despair convincingly. The final parole hearing scene where he finally speaks his mind is as good an enacted scene as there ever was.
However, the movie is essentially its director's. Frank Darabont displays an amazing sense of heightened sensibilities as he goes about making a piece of art. His deliberate slackening of the pace of the movie brings about it's inherent essence.
Also, to be mentioned worthily, is the name of Alfred Newman who composes a background score which for once seamlessly blends into the storyline, speaking with the audience as a medium in itself.

The Shawshank Redemption is a movie to be watched, not just because it will entertain you or educate you, not just because it translates a relevant message, not just because its a piece of art, a poetry in motion...all these are good enough reasons but watch this one for no reason at all, watch it because its there to be watched, watch it because its meant to be watched, watch it because you have the privilege.

Rating:- 9.5
Comment:- Standing Ovation

More info here:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/

The Pursuit Of Happ"y"ness

2008-07-16T05:02:00.002+05:30

The Pursuit Of Happyness is one of those rare breed of films which should be classified as an absolute must watch for the whole wide world. It is a poignant tale of the hardships of everyday life in a cosmopolitan world and the man on the street's struggle to make a better life.

Based on a true story, the movie tells the tale of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman, and his ultimate fight with life in a bid to provide a better life for his son...his pursuit for his sense of happiness under the sun. The movie captures 80's America aptly and though it reaffirms the old American myth of a self made man, it hardly comes across as frivolous. In fact, the difficulties presented in Gardner's life are so very us-like which leave an impact on the audience as it helps in identifying with the tale.

Moments:-

The scene where father and son go to a washroom in a railway station to pass off the night for the lack of a roof above their head is pure hard core emotional stuff. Gardner's tears and his tight embrace of his son bring about his sense of helplessness and desperation to the core.
Gardner's showing up for his interview in workman clothes with smudges of white paint in his hair and his subsequent witty remark about "nice pants" are so typical Will Smith banter.
And of course the scene when Gardner comes to know about his getting through as the single successful trainee at the brokerage firm is pure cinematic history....eyes brimming with tears desperately fighting to fall off and an expression of relief, emotion and the elusive happ"y"ness...*deafening applause*

Cast n Crew:-

Will Smith as Chris Gardner turns in one of his most delicate performances, if not his all time best.
Jaden Smith as Christopher is cute and marks off an impressive debut.
3 cheers for the director Gabrielle Muccino

Rating:- 8.5/10
Comment:- Deafening applause

More Info Here:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/