What do you think makes a good movie? And what are the
side effects of watching a great movie?
Is a movie good when it makes you laugh? Makes you cry?
Perhaps makes you feel a range of emotions? A movie with colorful characters
and beautiful locations may be? What about the music, song and dance? Or may be
a good movie is the one that takes you away from daily grind and gives you a
break that you think you deserve…. But, once in a while there comes a movie
that challenges all of your definitions and assumptions, makes you stop and
take stock of what you look for in a movie, possibly changes the way you look
at cinema experience. For me, that’s what Madras Café did.
I went to movies after a long time. And watching Madras Café
was more of a convenience that of choice. It was the only movie that was available
in the time slot that I could go. I had heard rave reviews of the movie and
John Abraham’s new found acting skills. But as usual, I wasn't expecting the
reviews to be accurate. I was in for a surprise this time.
If I use words like realistic and heart-wrenching, it
would be an insult to the movie. The movie is anything but heart-wrenching. What
it is, is mind-numbing. The movie walks you through the times and lives of
people during the 80's Sri Lanka. I’m not very good with politics, has never
been. So, pardon me if I don’t use real names of people that are portrayed in
the movie. But just because I don’t know the names or don’t wanna utter them,
does not by any means reduce the intensity and sincerity with which they are
portrayed. They are as real as one might see in a documentary. They are real because
they are clear in what they represent. For example, Anna in the movie is not a
traditional villain. He is not a garishly dressed, loud mouthing and laughing
person who captures the hero and spills all his plans to him. In contrast, he
is a well attired, soft spoken, clear sighted person who knows what he wants. There
is an uncanny realism in his speech. Like the foreign reporter says to John… “He
has clarity in thoughts. He is not just a power crazy terrorist.” Where Anna
portrays the unrelenting idealist; John and the rest of the team plays a
dedicated and smart team of RAW agents who dedicate their time and skills in
protecting the country. The sheer amount of work and complexity of challenges
that are shown in the movie take your breath away. And you are left with an awe-struck
feeling of helplessness.