A group of trained fighters earn their money fighting duels on behalf of others, in order to settle disputes. (It's a living.) One of the more promising warriors, a young man called Chandu Chekavar, listens to an unexpected prophecy made by witches. Inspired by the prophecy, he aims to become first a lieutenant and then a commander. His bitterly determined lover spurs him on...
"Veeram" transposes the well-known tale of Macbeth to a long-ago India filled with unique mores and rituals. (Sadly, my ignorance of Indian history and culture is such that I find it difficult to evaluate the movie's balance between fact and imagination.) Textual purists are not going to like the many liberties taken with Shakespeare's text. However, "Veeram" remains faithful to the general architecture of the play. It also maintains the play's great themes of ambition, betrayal, remorse and retribution.
It is a testimony to Shakespeare's brilliance that many of his lines remain as striking and chilling as ever, even when uttered by people in ancient Indian garb complete with elaborate face paint. Truly his was the kind of genius which transcends time and place.
It's a vivid, colorful movie, a sensual and sensuous too. The camera seems to delight - more, to luxuriate - in beauty : the beauty of a temple wall caressed by the sun, but also the beauty of a well-muscled torso glistening with sweat or that of an exquisite nose adorned with a costly ring. There are also a number of surprisingly erotic love scenes. At least one of them made me fear for the safety of the actors, who were embracing while laden with pounds of silver jewelry. This could easily have resulted in a Gordian tangle of bracelets, earrings, tresses and anklets. The world-building is convincing, while the well-choreographed duels impress by their combination of ceremony and ferocity. The preliminary salutations alone constitute a spectacle.
I got the impression that both Macbeths, if that's the correct term, changed rather quickly from cunning murderers into guilt-ridden wrecks, but that's a minor objection.
Comes with a fine lead performance by Kunal Kapoor as Chandu Chekavar (Macbeth).
"Veeram" transposes the well-known tale of Macbeth to a long-ago India filled with unique mores and rituals. (Sadly, my ignorance of Indian history and culture is such that I find it difficult to evaluate the movie's balance between fact and imagination.) Textual purists are not going to like the many liberties taken with Shakespeare's text. However, "Veeram" remains faithful to the general architecture of the play. It also maintains the play's great themes of ambition, betrayal, remorse and retribution.
It is a testimony to Shakespeare's brilliance that many of his lines remain as striking and chilling as ever, even when uttered by people in ancient Indian garb complete with elaborate face paint. Truly his was the kind of genius which transcends time and place.
It's a vivid, colorful movie, a sensual and sensuous too. The camera seems to delight - more, to luxuriate - in beauty : the beauty of a temple wall caressed by the sun, but also the beauty of a well-muscled torso glistening with sweat or that of an exquisite nose adorned with a costly ring. There are also a number of surprisingly erotic love scenes. At least one of them made me fear for the safety of the actors, who were embracing while laden with pounds of silver jewelry. This could easily have resulted in a Gordian tangle of bracelets, earrings, tresses and anklets. The world-building is convincing, while the well-choreographed duels impress by their combination of ceremony and ferocity. The preliminary salutations alone constitute a spectacle.
I got the impression that both Macbeths, if that's the correct term, changed rather quickly from cunning murderers into guilt-ridden wrecks, but that's a minor objection.
Comes with a fine lead performance by Kunal Kapoor as Chandu Chekavar (Macbeth).