I must begin my review by apologizing, as I might offend a few Sanjay Leela Bansali fans with this review. I wasn’t going to write it, but I just had to, after reading another review on the same film!
Let me begin by assuring you that I’ve had my sentimental moments when I’ve tragically shed copious tears. Even while watching Black, I had my moments. Who wouldn’t, given Rani’s brilliant performance, and the script writer’s sentimental lines? However, that wasn’t reason enough for me to like the movie. Infact, I don’t think I liked it atall.
I tend to be critical of any movie that is copied. I think it is outragious to pick scenes and story ideas, and then take credit for it. Ofcourse, the idea of this movie isn’t original to The Miracle Worker either, as both films are based on the life of Helen Keller. But why is Sanjay Leela Bansali getting so much credit for it?
As you all know, the film is about Michelle who is dumb, deaf, and blind. She gets a new lease at life, thanks to her teacher. Rani Mukherji as Michelle gives an impressive performance, despite her sappy lines, and a pathetic scene mimicing Charlie Chaplin. Amitabh is loud and crass, and every bit the star that you expect him to be. He is good to Michelle, and you cheer him through the film for his contribution. But you get a sense of the teacher’s achievement even more in The Miracle Worker.
The first half of the movie looks exactly like The Miracle Worker. So I guess Sanjay Leela Bansali can take credit for the second half. The film is technically great, when compared to other Hindi movies. The use of light and color is amazing I thought. What starts of in a bleak and dark setting, gradually moves into light, as Michelle gets more and more independant.
Now let me focus on The Miracle Worker. Based on the life of Helen Keller, the movie revolves around the young Helen Keller and her teacher. Anne Bancroft who plays Annie Sullivan, enters the Keller household to teach (read ’tame’) a wild, blind and deaf child Helen. From teaching her to eat at the table and fond napkins, to helping her experience all that life has to offer with the sense of touch, she finally succeeds when young Helen begins associating different signs with things and people in her life. Unlike Black, the film doesn’t ooze pathos. You don’t weep through the film, or even feel sorry for Helen. You do empathize with Annie who was blind once, and had survived an asylum. Fearing that Helen would be put through the same ordeal, she takes the responsibility of saving Helen. You are part of the process; the initial distrust, the gradually growing friendship, and Helen’s different accomplishments with regard to knew words she learns. At the end, you weren’t necessarily weeping. Instead, you felt Annie’s sense of accomplishment and pride, and applauded the young Helen, who were finally learning to communicate.
My biggest problem with Black is the director. In various scenes, you almost sense his presence. He seems to be holding you by collar saying, ’’Weep now’’ or ’’Feel sorry for her now.’’ It worked, because I came out touched and a lil teary-eyed. But that isn’t what the movie is about. The movie is about two people who survive the odds. We don’t sense their achievement, because we are too busy feeling sorry for them. One of several scenes I disliked, was the dinning table scene where Michelle talks about her sister waking her up for water. You know it was there to make you cry. The intention of several scenes seems to be just that. And what’s with the westernized sets? Does the director think, putting the characters in unrealistic settings will gain him more credibility? This is perhaps why I prefer Karan Johar to Sanjay Leela Bansali. Atleast Karan Johar doesn’t claim he is changing the phase of Indian cinema. You know what to expect out of a Karan Johar film. Can’t say the same about Sanjay Leela Bansali, who is finally doing nothing very different.
I personally like tales of courage and strength, and this I got in The Miracle Worker. But I guess Black served its purpose. The formula worked with a majority, and the actors emerged as bigger stars.