445. Subarnarekha

Subarnarekha
Golden River
1965
Directed by Ritwik Ghatak

I had one of those "did I see this?  Wait, that doesn't look familiar. Maybe I did?"  moments when I started this film.  I really hate it when that happens because I would like to think that I am very good at remembering movies.  However, I soon realized that I had seen this movie probably ten times since I started The Book journey-just with different titles and actors.

This is the story of an Indian family trying to keep it all together, but after tragedy upon tragedy is heaped upon them...they don't end up doing so hot.  The number of terrible things that happen to these people made me think, somewhat inappropriately, of the Debbie Downer sketch on SNL.  I still don't know how so many tragedies could happen in one movie and have it still be boring.

I will confess, though, that my version of this film was so bad that it fueled my hate fire.  The subtitles were cut right in the middle like a bad Xerox and at some point the actors all turned into silhouettes. So far, this seems to be the only version available.

Hated this film, which is a shame because the opening scenes were actually quite promising.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

No facts on this one.  Hmmm...did you know Hitler was named man of the year of Times Magazine in 1938?  Pretty messed up.

361. Meghe Dhaka Tara

Meghe Dhanka Tara
The Cloud Capped Star
1960
Directed by Ritwik Ghatak

Yikes, if things don't turn around soon I am going to get a reputation as a film basher and intellectuals everywhere will be charging down my door.  However, I can't pretend to like a film that I did not, merely to please my commentators and this film was boring as hell.

To be fair, I am not a huge fan of Indian cinema.  I find that films from India tend to be a little too melodramatic for my taste.  Additionally, the music that is inserted tends to annoy me and I feel like it really has no place in the film.  But let's get to the movie at hand.

This is the story of Neeta, a good, self sacrificing person who is constantly exploited by people around her, including her own family.  Well, they certainly miss the water once the well dries up.

Like I said, these kind of films are so over the top, that even the best actors seem a bit silly when they say their lines.  For instance, at one point in the film Neeta's father says "I accuse…", pauses dramatically, and then says "no one".  Really?  I just did not find the dialogue or the behavior of the characters relatable in any way.

Still, there are some pretty shots and I don't regret watching the film.  Certainly not a favorite, though.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

This seems to be quite an unknown film, so there is very little trivia on the web.