Dhobi Ghat (2010)

One of my all time favorites.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Dhobi Ghat is in the list of my top 10, or lets say top 14 films of all time. I'd made the list the other day and that made me want to write this review. I loved each of the three stories. They all speak of loneliness, of being in love, and of love being the only thing that really makes life worth living. When the end happens, and that final run behind the taxi happens, I began to cry. For this was such a beautiful symbol of selfless love. Isn't that what love is? Going beyond yourself and your shadow sides your insecurities, your pride, your self, to be something better, something more than just another selfish being. The Aamir Khan story was to die for. Beautiful premise itself. And I thought it was one of his finest performances. Least Aamir Khan like, compared to most of his other films. I've been waiting since then for Kiran's next film. I really hope she makes one soon and gets back to direction full time. It's india's loss, that another superbly talented filmmaker has not made another film in so long, specially since there are hardly any women filmmakers around, when compared to the number of male makers. The background score was gorgeous. And i remember the foghorn like sound when the title comes on screen for the first time. And then that image in the taxi in the rain. So much love, this film was made with. it was evident.

Since having been shown the classic sports movie Lagaan in 2006,the main thing that I've always heard when friends have been discussing Bollywood movies,is how different the films lead actor (Aamir Khan) is from other "mainstream" Bollywood actors,due to him having taken a very "method" approach for a number of his most well known roles.Recently deciding to cheek his IMDb page to see if he had any upcoming projects,I was shocked to discover that Khan had done a 2010 film with his wife which seemed to have been completely over looked in the UK.After having read a few interesting bits about this oddly over looked movie,I decided the it was the perfect time to take a look at Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan's snapshots of Mumbai.The plot:Arriving in Mumbai to follow her passion for photography,banker/turned amateur photograph Shia goes to visit a newly opened art gallery.Impressed by the art works on display,Shia gets a happy surprise,when she bumps into the struggling artist (Arun) who has created the beautiful works.Being taken by each others good looks and charms,Shia and Arun leave the event so that they can spent the rest of the night alone together.Inital acting in a flirty manner,Shia's hopes of a relationship developing with Arun are left in ruins,when Arun "politely" decides to ask Shia if she is OK with their romance being "A one night thing!".Slamming the door behind her,Arun soon has his washing delivered from a man called Munna. (who also gets the chance later, to cross paths with Shia.)Wanting to go deeper into the art world,Arun moves into a much more classy,upmarket flat.Unpacking the handful of belongings that he has taken,Arun discovers a hand made bag hidden in a corner of the flat,filled with a number of home video tapes filmed by the previous resident of the flat.View on the film:Showing a strongly individual directing style for her debut film,writer/director Kiran Rao shoots the movie in a half docu- drama/half "indie" lo-fi fuzz style,with the scenes featuring the four interconnected characters mostly focusing on their attempts to slowly move "up a level" and reach their long-distance goals.For the "docu- drama" moments of this interesting movie,Rao shows an impressive attention to detail,as the Mumbai skyline is shown in a gloriously over exposed light,and the great on-location out door scenes taking place around the real activates of the residents in the city.Whilst Rao's dialogue rings with a wonderful frankness,where the discussion on love and sex from Shia (played charmingly by debut actress Monica Dogra) and Arun, (played by a quiet and focused Aamir Khan) impressively stays away from feeling sweet and "loved-up",to instead being much more realistically open and genuine.Although the dialogue allows for a good out line to be created for the characters,Rao seems to be overwhelmed by the size of Mumbai,with all of the characters feeling a bit of a distance from being fully formed,as Rao struggles to do a deep,intimate portrait of the characters,as the huge city casts its shadow over the proceedings.

Before watching this I read the reviews here and according to majority this movie is Crap. People have supported the negative reviews and thumbed them up to bring them on top and all positive remarks are at the bottom. I am sure the same happens with my review too.OK when I watched the movie I was like What the....! Its the best 2011 movie according to me. It was so beautiful and engaging. I don't believe people calling it a cure for insomniacs and blah blah. Amir showed us what great acting is and so as all the other cast. What Amir did in 3 idiots is not called great acting but this movie definitely portray great performance by Amir. The direction was also superb. I have seen almost every 2011 movie and this is the only movie for which I can say "yes this is Cinema".All I can say is that people need to change the way they watch movies. I mean all movies are not equal. Why cheap vulgar comedies are appreciate by people in India more than serious intelligent Cinema? Sorry to see these cheap movies get recognized and not artistic movies.I am very disappointed by people's attitude towards this movie. I am sure if this movie had some item number by Katrina, some cheap jokes, horrible dances, action etc People will be in line to see it! Grow up Indian Audience please!

Aamir Khan is my favorite Hindi Actor so I decided to catch this film, what a mistake. I don't know why half things happened in this movie, and personally I don't want to know (like Aamir speaking in English to Monica-huh?!?). The story line is good, not great, and has no real plot. Aamir did a great job but besides that nothing to rave about. The ending is horrendous, I understand the director wanted to be artsy and different but please at least take time to finish your movie. I'm not sure this is worth 1.5 hrs of anybody's time. The interwoven plot was a good idea, but the director lacks skill and experience to polish this off (Sorry Aamir).