Guzaarish

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has given us some good thought provoking movies, with a right mix of drama & memorable music. One of his strengths include his star cast and the powerful performances he gets out of them, irrespective of their standing in the film industry.
Guzaarish is the story of Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan), a magician who due to a fatal accident becomes a quadriplegic (for more explanations – check Wikipedia). His devoted nurse is Sophia (Aishwarya Rai) and they are in a huge mansion in Goa. Ethan has not got out of his house since his accident. Enter Omar Siddiqui (Aditya Roy Kapur – he’s so cute) to learn magic from him, but poses as a radio show producer just to gain entry in the house. Ethan is an RJ who also propagates how to live life despite the worst of conditions. Two more people are equally important in his life – his lawyer – best friend, Devyani(Shernaz Patel) and Dr. Naik.
Ethan has a wish, to end his life and gets a petition filed in court through Devyani. It gets rejected (quite obviously). He then uses his Radio show to get an opinion on his wish. Not many are supportive of his wish including Sophia. He then decides to make an appearance at court to justify his decision but again meets with a firm no from the law. In a dramatic twist, the final hearing is conducted at his house so that he need not be inconvenienced and all his near & dear ones testify his need to end his life. He also reminds everyone on who exactly was responsible for his condition.
Where there’s a will there’s a way is an old adage, which gives him the solution. He celebrates his last day of life and breathes his last, not before proclaiming his love for Sophia and marrying her. Even if it’s for a day of matrimony.
Anyone who has watched movies made by SLB earlier, will identify each movie with a medical condition or a color (Khamoshi – Speech & Hearing diasability, Devdas – Alcoholism, Black – Alzheimer’s Disease Saawariya – Blue). This is a little off the track since being quadriplegic is a result of an accident and the movie could have built a lil more entertainment with the magician angle. Euthanasia is relatively alien to the Indian audience and may have not made the connect.
What works:
Histrionics of the court session which gives the grounds of euthanasia
What doesn’t work:
No music to recall
Story not gripping enough
My rating: 2/5

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The 3rd installment in the Narnia Series brings in a new dimension. This one is made in 3-D. After an insipid Part 2 (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Voyage of the Dawn Treader looks interesting.
This time we have only the younger 2 of the Pevensie kids are left back in England with their uncle and cousin, Eustace – an unwilling and unaccommodating kid. He thinks Narnia is a figment of the Edward’s and Lucy’s imagination and does not stop to make digs at them in his diary. Through a painting on the wall which reminds Lucy of Narnia, the enchanted story begins. They land up on the Dawn Treader, captained by Prince Caspian. The Dawn Treader is all set to sail to land of Aslan which is on the other end of the world. They have an obstacle on the course, the Dark Mountains, all evil and sucks in people alive.
Lucy and Edward feel at home, and are treated like royalty whereas Eustace sticks out like a sore thumb, constantly whining. A few hilarious moments where he hears a mouse (Reepicheep from the previous installment) talk, and attempts the same with a pigeon lighten the situation.
They come across an island, face hostility and almost get killed. In a rare moment of bravery, tables are turned and the inhabitants share their woes to Price Caspian. They then set out on the stormy seas to the Dark Mountain. On their way, their way, they find clues to dispelling the curse the Dark Mountains hold. They need to find the 7 swords of Aslan.
While nearing their destination, they are warned to not think of their worst fears, but Edward does so – the Sea Serpent, which guards the Dark Mountains thereby preventing its prisoners from escape, attacks them. Eustace who is a golden dragon due to a curse fights the Sea Serpent along with Reepicheep. All’s well that ends well!!!
Aslan is always there to help and makes his presence felt, though not significantly as expected.
What works:
Knowing it is a fairy tale, but it is believable
Screenplay and special effects, which can be related to without reading the book.
What didn’t work:
A lil more of Aslan as needed
Bit stretched out build up to the climax, or the movie maybe over in 30 minutes.
Prince Caspian - needs to be more charismatic and convincing
My rating: 3/5