Friday, December 28, 2007

Taare Zameen Par -- A (slightly) different perspective

The recent Hindi movie, Taare Zameen Par, was a refreshing change as far as movies from Bollywood go. It lacks all the loudness of the commercial cinema, and tells its story with a lot of love. Yet, it has the polish of a well made, well produced film -- something that the offbeat, non-commercial movies lack.

The reviews of the movies have mentioned it as a story of the kid who goes through a low and comes out tops thanks to the helping hand provided by his teacher. People find that they could relate to the kid in many ways. I actually had a slightly different experience -- I related just as much, if not more, to the teacher. In many ways, I felt this was a story of the teacher as much of the kid.

A review complained that the teacher having admitted to having dyslexia was a fault of the movie -- where I felt that was the whole facet of the movie that took it to higher level. Just as much it was the story of the child finding his way, it was the story of the teacher in some ways resting his demons. The story of the teacher wasn't developed as well -- but you could see him looking for himself in all the kids he spent time with, and trying to save them the pain he might have had to go through. Finding a child who he felt was a reflection of himself, the teacher finds a path too.

It may well be a viewpoint far removed from the majority of the movie goers. Anyone care to share what they thought?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You review seems to be influenced by M Night Shyamalan's movie "The Sixth Sense" or maybe I related the two movies.

I do agree to your review though. Amir's acting was good and was able to convey that message through his eyes.

Vikas said...

deepika: i don't think so. I definitely didn't think of sixth sense until i read your comment.

But that an older character comes to terms with his own self as he helps a child is probably a common theme. Sixth Sense definitely explores that a lot better. Thanks for bringing it up.

Anonymous said...

That is an interesting take!

Two struggling pasts acting as opposing forces influencing the kid. On the one hand, there is the parent, who probably has had his share of failures in life and wants to achieve all that he has failed to, through his child .. and on the other hand, there is the teacher who has himself struggled with similar problems as the child, understands him, and helps the child against all odds.
Both, however, are trying to save the kid from "the pain he might have had to go through", but only to the best of their own knowledge/intelligence.