Ghajini

I like to believe that when we comment on other people, we use what I call a "looking through the window perspective." You are an onlooker and have little stake in that person and are making a fairly objective comment. However when you comment on people you are interested in, your perspective is "thru the looking glass." (a mirror for those of you non Carrollites).

Now, if I were to judge Ghajini as a normal movie, I 'd say passable masala flick. Aamir is serious eye candy. Oozing brawn all over and Asin looks very cute. The music is good (ARR, reliable as usual) and Prasoon Joshi does have atleast 1 good song (the behka...one). The story is public knowledge. Thus, there is little else to comment on. Go watch it, if you are a masala movie watcher.

But since I am a self confessed Aamir fan... here is what I think ->"F* man, why does Aamir have to take off his shirt so many times? There is some poor editing in scenes with Asin when she actually does not act well. And why did the movie have to go on for 3 hours?! It is not utterly gripping for all of those 3 hours. In fact, it barely holds your interest for abt 30 mins. Another 1 hr would have been tolerable. 90 extra mins is unforgivable. And Jiah Khan who can't act for nuts, doesn't even look hot. She looks young, at best. Casting for non prime characters is pathetic, incl. the opening shot of the movie, where the doctor is discussing Aamir's ailment. This is one clear evidence (amongst many) of pathetic editing. Which f* doctor says he can't discuss the case more and then leaves the entire patient records for public use. And since when did medical records start looking like criminal records! Yet another editing f* up. The editor is supposed to tell the director, "Listen you d*, this seems silly, contrived and incredible (in the non-complimentary sense). Lets cut this..."

The interesting points in the movie are - This is the 1st movie in recent memory whose title is devoted to the villain, while the hero and heroine have much stronger roles in the movie. So that is unusual and welcome. Aamir looks very young on most occasions and doesn't have the drooping jowls he had in Fanaah. Thus it is credible that he can frolic with a pretty lass like Asin who seems refreshingly fresh (am not sure she was dubbed in). The romantic scenes in the movie when Aamir is contemplating his lady-love or day dreaming about her are well shot. If there is one fault with the movie, it is sloppy editing (Please go find the Oscar award ceremony acceptance speech of the woman who won it for "The Departed" and listen to Martin Scorsese's speech, a little after hers, to understand what I mean. Alternatively, see Pyaasa or Kaagaz ke Phool (hat tip to Sameer and Nandini for the allusion) to understand what a good editor will do.

Recommendation: Avoid it if you want to see good cinema. Donate money to a non-multiplex or see it if you can get tickets at some theatre for less than Rs.50.