Strangers in the Park- A Movie Review

Movie- Strangers in the Park

Originally in Spanish

Writers - Juan Jose Campanella and Herb Gardner

Director- Juan Jose Campanella

Actors- Luis Brandoni, Eduardo Blanco, Veronica Pelaccini

Genre- Comedy and drama

When we think of a movie we visualize many locations, different characters, dramatic storyline and a range of plots happening. This is a movie that breaks all movie stereotypes and marches ahead on the strength of its amazing storyline that is simple yet engaging right from the start to the finish. The movie is picturized at a park and the main prop is a bench at the park. The main characters are two oldies who are a sharp contrast to each other and are strangers who get entwined in each other unintentionally and provide us an interesting look at how just two characters can keep us engaged if the storyline is excellent as this one. 

So a  former communist activist and an ordinary family man who have nothing common with each other to speak of meet at a bench in the park and get talking. They meet every day at the park and strike an unlikely friendship. It is interesting to see how they communicate and tell each other about their lives and take the story forward. There are a few mentions of a couple of characters who come and go in between but they are there just fleetingly. The two lead actors are excellent in their respective roles and give us a tutorial on nuanced portrayal of characters. Dialogues are well-written and a class apart. This movie takes a look at the loneliness and isolation of the seniors and how they try to keep their self respect intact in this fast-paced world. The movie is deliberately slow-paced just like its leads and acquaints us with their life stories. A lot of philosophy and political talk included in the daily life tattle that makes us sit up and take notice. 

There is also a beautiful scene of the daughter and her old, ailing father which is well picturized. The story is humane, profound, sad and humorous too. It is surely not a run of the mill kind of movies we come across all the time so it is like a breath of fresh air. The park looks calm and serene and in the midst of it are these golden oldies sharing their stories. They refuse to let their age make them feel any lesser than those around them. The movie is about life and is a mirror to what each one of us has to go through some time later in life as we age. This story of  Leon and Antonio teaches us about the dignity and respect people need irrespective of their age. The story is uplifting and real. It is all about their experiences. What else is life, if not experiences! The movie is an adaptation of a theatrical play that ran for eleven years in Buenos Aires. The conversations are long at times and there are chances of switching of during the political discussions. The lead actors are exemplary and make it worth a watch. I liked it because it is so different from the regular movies we watch and probably that can be the very reason why people may not like the movie. There is no drama, change of location or anything that is visually interesting. For me it was a change of movie experience that I enjoyed. 

 

Big World-Movie Review

Movie- Big World

Genre- Slice of Life / Coming of age

Writer- Xiaoying You

Director- Lina Yang

Actors- Jackson Yee, Diana Lin

I read a review abut this movie and watched it out of curiosity without expecting much. This movie totally bowled me over with its bold views about how much of inclusivity is there in this world. Everyone thinks they are fighting a battle each day with all the challenges we face but we don't realize how much more of a challenge it is for the differently abled people who are trying to fit in this so-called normal world. 

This movie is in Mandarin  but I watched it in English with subtitles. Big World has won 15 awards and had 21 nominations. The actor Jackson Yee steals the show with his flawless portrayal of a young boy- Liu Chunhe, having cerebral palsy. Each movement of his, right from his head to his toe is in character. The walk, the flinch, talk, smile...everything is spot on. I have a school friend of mine who has cerebral palsy and I have seen her struggle so many times with something that seems so easy for others. The struggle, his grit and determination and his unfailing enthusiasm was a treat to watch. I cried at some emotionally loaded scenes and sincerely wish we all could have a world where the differently abled feel accepted and are made a part of the mainstream. Diana Lin as Jackson's grandmother too has done a wonderful portrayal and she has won awards for her role. 

Every character was well defined. There is not much drama but in a quiet manner this movie makes its mark. The storyline is simple and realistic with some great humorous moments too. This is a movie about motivation and grit that can move mountains. It is about love, respect, feelings and emotions and the will to rise and succeed not-withstanding all hurdles. The movie is not an entertainer as such but it is a must watch for its honest portrayal of the characters and the inspiration they carry along.  These are the kind of movies that are all heart and cannot be missed in the avalanche of  movies that roll out each year. Jackson Yee, take a bow...... you were truly outstanding as Liu Chunhe. Simply unbelievable!

Soldier Sailor

 Book Review

Title- Soldier Sailor

Author- Claire Kilroy

Genre- Fiction/ Slice of life

Special Mention- The Times Novel of the Year, Guardian, Financial Times, Economist, Irish Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, Irish Independent and Independent Book of the Year.

Some books entertain, some make us think and some take us on a journey of discovery of self. They make us relive our past experiences. Claire Kilroy's Soldier Sailor was like a flashback for me and probably will be one for all the have-been new mothers. This book captures the trials and tribulations of new motherhood in a way that takes us back to our days as new moms. 

I agree , being a mother is an experience that we all cherish but it is rare to see someone describe the trials and tribulations of new mothers with so much honesty and clarity with tongue in cheek humour. The book delves into the physical and mental challenges faces by Soldier in bring up her four year old Sailor. Each little task is vividly described and we can actually relate to them as mothers as we have been there, done that. Visits to the park, the mall, a ride in the car, changing nappies, feeding fiascos, dressing up toddlers and screaming tantrums are all included here. 

As we read we realize that the Sailors father figure is not involved much, except for when he is finding faults in the Soldier's way of bringing up the little one. All he contributes is in the form of comments, taunts and indifference. The Soldier Marches on trying to do her best keeping herself in the background. Her life becomes her Sailors and she finds her self esteem hit the ground. She keeps sinking in the hole of doubts, guilt and responsibility and has no support. Like the last soldier on the battlefield she keeps fighting for her Sailor, her life.  

Claire Kilroy effectively captures the fear and hatred she feels at times in the tumultuous journey of bringing up another human who depends on you for everything. She feels guilt when she has thoughts of not having a child to look after and also feels so possessive and protective that she is ready to kill someone or be killed just to protect her little Sailor. 

The silver lining in the cloud is visible when the Soldier comes in contact with her friend a father of three little kids who makes her burden seem lighter. So many instances narrated in such a simple way mixed with dark humour that we can see the heart and soul laid bare before us. It is heart-breaking and heart-warming in a way to see what a mother goes through to bring up her child. A mother's worth cannot be expressed and her work can never be measured. 

The father is there but is like a spectator watching everything from afar and hurling curses and venting out his anger when mistakes are made. There is no question of being there and being a part of the child-rearing as this the mothers responsibility. He is there to correct, comment and make you feel insignificant for doing nothing note-worthy while he is out there doing so many important things that he cannot be bothered with the little stuff of bringing up the Sailor.

This is a must read for all new mothers, old mothers, women and even men who need to see what mothers go through. For all mothers , it is like a replay of the trials they faced as a lone Soldier in charge of a little Sailor. For men it is a lesson in being there physically and mentally for your little one as a part of the family. To be there to understand the mothers predicament as she struggles with the little and big tasks as a new mother. Read this one to feel the heart of a new mother and prepare to be blown over by it gradually. 

I simply loved the way Claire Kilroy makes us a part of her journey with the conversations and detailed descriptions of the instances that arise. Every moment becomes a story in itself although they are just the mundane and the routine as seen by others. There are some gems scattered all through the pages that hit you and make you sit up and acknowledge the depth in them.

After reading this book I really regret not making note or highlighting the lines that were exceptionally though-provoking and those that hit its mark. These lines were creatively and cleverly hidden in between the lines. 

Here are some amazing lines I loved:

“Here's my ennobling truth, Sailor: women risk death to give life to their babies. They endure excruciating pain, their inner parts torn, then they pick themselves up no matter what state they are in, no matter how much blood they've lost, and they tend to their infants… Tell me, men: when were you last split open from the inside?”

“Hadn't thought about death until I had you. A door opened when you entered my life and that door goes two ways. A baby was placed in the crook of my arm, and a skull on my open palm as I was crowned a mother. Here is your baby. One day you will lose him. He will lose you. You will all lose each other, and he never called her Mama again.”

“I am tired. I am lonely. I have found myself mired in resentment in this new life, become a person I don't wish to be, feeling constant guilt for not feeling constant gratitude for the blessing that is my child. I do feel constant gratitude: I adore my child. But I am tired. I am lonely. I am lost.”

“I always knew that, as the mother, I would get the blame for everything.”

Do read this one . It has received good reviews and won many awards for being an in-the -face and raw authentic look at the trials of  a new mother. Nothing entertaining or relaxing about this read because it tells you facts and shows a mirror to a mother's frustrations, fears and happy moments in her journey of motherhood.