Review of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) by Jessica Z — 06 Mar 2008

A 3 hour, 40 minute subtitled movie set around a game of cricket in the late 19th century? Easily in my top 5 - maybe top 3 - favorite musicals all-time. A great example of something with enough spirit to raise it above its "flaws". The few things I didn't like were restricted mainly to the English actors' performances.

The things that I would normally classify as flaws - essentially cliches, whether in character, camera work, editing, or whatever - actually work here because of an intagible thing called "heart" that this has by the.

Truckloads. It starts with its producer and star Aamir Khan who brings such convincing sincerity to both roles.

All the heart in the world can only take a pile of junk so far. So alhough cliches abound everywhere, the movie has its fair share of artistry that works with that intagible magic to make it something that is extraordinary. With viewing tastes and sensibilities so much more sophisticated today, it says a lot that something this "corny" garners enough respect and admiration to win an Oscar nomination for best foreign film. Beyond the heart, there is truly exquisite music, cinematography, acting - from the stars to the supporting cast, costumes, production design - virtually every element lands, in moments, somewhere between praiseworthy and Oscar-worthy.

If you're a musicals-lover, India-lover, or even a cricket fan (I'm a little of all three) - there's probably something worthwhile here for each of you, even at 224 minutes long.