Technically nine out of ten may not be justified in comparison to all the world movies, but with respect to current Indian cinema, it deserved that.
The camera-work is beautiful, and everybody acted superbly, especially the children - which reminds one of Satyajit Ray's expertise in extracting the best performance from kids. Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Irfan Khan were brilliant as usual. And I was delighted to see somebody caring to maintain the accents. Irfan Khan, Prashant Narayanan spoke Bengali with a non-bengali accent, which perfectly fitted the characters. This kind of subtle detail is murdered in most movies these days.
There were a few minor anachronisms, like red-and yellow minibuses (which were introduced to calcutta much later than the time of the story), it would have been better if they could arrange some double-deckers.
The story was really good, a great relief from the Hollywood/Bollywood formula movies, where there must be a 'happily ever after' ending.
Yet it was the story that was the weakest part of this movie. While the start in jutemill child-labourer's camp was unusual, it soon turned out to be a childhood love story. From Ravi buying freedom for Masha till his arriving at the temple was all formula stuff and I was scared that this movie will be another disappointment. But the plot returned from the edge of the cliff as Masha ran away from Ravi due to a misunderstanding. Rest of it reminds of Sharatchandra and O Henry (yes, I cannot consider this as original in any way, only bits and pieces from here and there cemented with good imagination). Another point where I was a little worried was when Ravi meets Masha and their grand daughter at the factory. Why should somebody start talking of her 'long story' to another person right after introduction! I was ready to give her the license of senility, but as it turned out it was justified by the beautiful finishing touch.
The camera-work is beautiful, and everybody acted superbly, especially the children - which reminds one of Satyajit Ray's expertise in extracting the best performance from kids. Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Irfan Khan were brilliant as usual. And I was delighted to see somebody caring to maintain the accents. Irfan Khan, Prashant Narayanan spoke Bengali with a non-bengali accent, which perfectly fitted the characters. This kind of subtle detail is murdered in most movies these days.
There were a few minor anachronisms, like red-and yellow minibuses (which were introduced to calcutta much later than the time of the story), it would have been better if they could arrange some double-deckers.
The story was really good, a great relief from the Hollywood/Bollywood formula movies, where there must be a 'happily ever after' ending.
Yet it was the story that was the weakest part of this movie. While the start in jutemill child-labourer's camp was unusual, it soon turned out to be a childhood love story. From Ravi buying freedom for Masha till his arriving at the temple was all formula stuff and I was scared that this movie will be another disappointment. But the plot returned from the edge of the cliff as Masha ran away from Ravi due to a misunderstanding. Rest of it reminds of Sharatchandra and O Henry (yes, I cannot consider this as original in any way, only bits and pieces from here and there cemented with good imagination). Another point where I was a little worried was when Ravi meets Masha and their grand daughter at the factory. Why should somebody start talking of her 'long story' to another person right after introduction! I was ready to give her the license of senility, but as it turned out it was justified by the beautiful finishing touch.