Review of Black (2005) by Selva K — 02 Oct 2011

How often do we come across such entangling dramas in world cinema! And most importantly, how much do we appreciate seeing such parallel cinema amidst all the jarring commercial craps? The best thing, I felt while seeing this movie, is that it has taken up a 'big' responsibility - picking on a blind and deaf girl, chained in the unforgiving prison (here they named it 'Black' - How subtle!) being guided by a teacher who leads her to 'Light'. But it doesn't stop there. The movie goes forth to portray each and every aspect of the girl's troubled life sincerely - her Godforsaken childhood - her father's tough pride - her tough and twisted adolescence - her sister's envy - her immense faith in the teacher - her ultimate goal - finally her struggle in bringing back her teacher from the fiery clutches of Alzheimer, to the light he threw. And when the screen fades to 'Black', you stare at it with a pain-filled heart and tear-ridden eyes and you wonder - 'What a movie!'.

Rani as Michelle McNally has donned her career-best performance that exudes absolute rawness. Subtle expressions, bold behavior, striking body language - cant help but agree that she deserved far better accolades for her role, that no glitterati-girl would dare to choose.

Amitabh Bachchan as Debraj Sahai - a man has given up his stardom for a role as naive as a teacher who trains blind and deaf children. Alcoholic, Melancholic, filled with hopes, cocky, rusty round the edges - Big B could've been the only option for the role as one might believe. A critical role that was brilliantly underplayed, as even a slightly marginal hyper-action would've sought destructive criticism or worst case - even spoiled the movie's sanctity! Hats off Big B - that was one gem of a show!

Razor sharp Dialogues.. struck my chords, pretty strongly!

Few instances,.

*Debraj Sahai: For 30 years I've been in this school, Ms.Nair - as an unseen, unheard entity. Last time when I saw the school, my children are waving to me in the wrong direction Ms.Nair! It hurts, Ms.Nair!

*Sarah McNally: Once Michelle and I were playing outside, running through the grass, holding each others hands and we fell. Both of us started crying. Mama and Papa came running outside and picked up Michelle and... left me outside. I was there waiting and crying with my arms stretched out.. I'm still waiting!

Exceptional art direction, crystal clear cinematography, synchronous background scores, spell-binding screenplay - a very rare combination of exotic flavors - and 'Black' has it in the right proportion.

Bottomline: A drama that needs to be seen and felt - not just for the Big-B and Rani.. or simply for the splendid Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography.. or for the vintage Sanjay Leela Bhansali's touch..

But simply for realizing, "How gifted and blessed we are..!!".