Review of Like Stars on Earth (2007) by Hassan I — 06 Mar 2014
Aamir Khan's "Taare Zameen Par" is a spectacularly life-changing, life-affirming and moving movie about the importance of being accepted in life. Here's a rare and magical Bollywood movie with no dance numbers, funky costume designs and over-dramatic melodrama.
It doesn't feature a hero trying to save a heroine. Neither does it have over-the-top action sequences that kill your brain cells. Instead, it is none of the above: a heartbreaking, insightful and deeply courageous film that explores the affect that a mental disease can have on a young child.
What's surprising is that Aamir Khan, a Bollywood star known for starring in commercial films, has made a movie unlike any he has ever starred in. The performances are phenomenal, the writing a joyous sight to bold and the direction superb.
This is one of those rare Bollywood movies with a powerful message, meaning and surprisingly enough, a reason to exist! And what an emotional rollercoaster it is. In newcomer star Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan has founded the birth of a movie star.
The birth of an actor that can carry an entire film just through the expressions on his face, communicating visually what may not have worked if he spoke. Despite almost little to no dialogue near the end of the film, Safary is an actor that makes you feel every single emotion there is in your body.
The same is the case with the film itself. It challenges you to discover, to think outside of the box, to recognize the beauty of a great story rather than jazzy musical numbers. Aamir Khan has without a doubt created a masterpiece, a film that despite running three hours, flies by in seconds due to Safary's magnificent performance.
It's a movie that reminds me why I love movies in the first place...
This review of Like Stars on Earth (2007) was written by Hassan I on 06 Mar 2014.
Like Stars on Earth has generally received very positive reviews.
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