Gargi

A Stunner

Gargi can mean several things to several people. Importantly it demonstrates a tremendous understanding of cinema.

A story that could have passed as a play is brilliantly written and executed without clutter and has the audience on the edge and audibly rooting for the protagonist as she along with her lawyer fight to get justice. 

The most interesting part of the whole film making is that the audience is teased and the director seems to be enjoying the process, as if anticipating the audience reaction.

I like my movies with very less background score. Here Govind Vasantha provides a loud background score, which imposes a sense of drama that may have been lost given the canvas of the film. Yes, the score was effective and added the necessary tension, even though I felt it was a tad loud at times.

Sai Pallavi is having the time of her life. I just loved her and the poetic Virata Parvam released a few weeks back. In a role that reminded you of Meera or Andal, she was just fantastic. in barely a few weeks she has another role of a lifetime. She probably reminds you of Savitri, this time, the difference is she is trying to save her father!!! With her steely resolve and focus, she packs a punch in Gargi. While I thought she was understated in Gargi, the performance pips past her performance in Virata Paravam probably by a whisker.

At the end of the film, you sure must be reminded of an Agatha Christie classic!!!

Cleverness written all over!!.

Iravin Nizhal, The world's first single-shot movie

Thought-provoking

The making of Iravin Nizhal is shown before the movie. I do not think there is a more insightful segment that illustrates team building. It was so nice of Parthiban to include even the seemingly inconsequential person. In a way, even the self-promotion worked!!!

The intermission after the making and before the movie began was nice.

There is no taking away the credit from the single-shot achievement but it did not work for me.

The voice-over that served as the continuity as the narrative moved from one set to another, made the movie look like a play. 

That did not bother me much, but the content seemed to be a rehash of the 'Puthiya Pathai". While I am a great fan of Puthiya Pathai, 30 years later, I would have expected Parthiban to come up with something inventive as he is capable of. 

The movie's hero must be A.R. Rahman who has reinvented himself with exceptional music. The music was definitely different and certainly touched your soul.

This is for adults only. All professionals must watch this film

Congratulations!! Parthiban, I am sure you will come up with another new idea. With your extraordinary sense of humour, I would like to be entertained to a full-fledged comedy.

Rocketry, the Nambi Effect

Essential Scientific History

Rocketry along with Rocket Boys, web series streaming on Sony Liv helps us understand the men behind India's progress in Space.

The progress has been made, thanks to the mavericks. These are the people who were instrumental in creating the ecosystem that has helped us become the Space power we are.

I landed up 15 minutes late for the movie, but going by the reviews, I understand that the scientific terminology could have been better explained.

I found this particular YouTube, found in the bottom of this post,  explanation of the Cryogenic engine illuminating.  It gives you an idea of the challenges beyond the solid and the liquid propellant.

I wish the scriptwriters had taken a leaf out of the first 4 minutes of The Kingdom( The Arab's discovery of OIL and associated history) and given a simple illustration of our Space adventures and also why each of the steps was challenging for a poor country like ourselves.

I think the makers could have gone ahead and dubbed in the actual languages with the subtitles. Would have given more authenticity to the narrative.

However ineffective the first half of the narrative could have been, the 40 or minutes of human drama that unfolded at the end was picture perfect for a layman.

The message reached the audience loud and clear.

There was spontaneous applause at the end of the show.

Congratulations!! Madhavan and team for a wonderful effort

I really hope all the schools take their students to the movie and brainstorm the achievements!!

P.S: Arunan, Dr. Nambi's son-in-law, a part of Nambi's cryogenic is responsible for our Mission to Mars!!! The film makers do not stress this fact overtly in the movie.