Indian Stirlitz or A Few Moments of Autumn 71. It’s good that I have a long-standing habit of recording my thoughts as I watch the movie. Yes, yes, write it down by hand, pen to notebook. Since I love cinema since childhood (any cinema, not only Indian, although of course I love Indian especially), and watch it every day, during watching there are always different thoughts and feelings. And now, in the last 3 years, when I've been writing film reviews here on KP, I've started writing down my thoughts about every movie. I watch a movie every night (and sometimes during the day), and every 9 out of 10 movies I see for the first time. And for each film I want to write something and express my impressions of watching. It is not always possible to do this immediately after the end of the film (most often I write the next day). It happens that I get to write a review only in 2-3 days, and during this time I have time to watch several more films about which I also want to write something, it turns out that the impressions of the film viewed a few days earlier are already slightly dulled, and I have a long time tormenting my head, remembering what I wanted to write immediately. It’s usually not what I wanted to say when I finished watching. And for me, the very first impressions and sensations that I received during the very first viewing are valuable and important. Therefore, the thoughts recorded during the film help to tune in to the desired wave and express exactly those feelings that arose immediately after the end of the film. And in those three days, I've watched three different movies, and I'm going to try to write about each of them today. It turns out the habit is good. And now, after such a long introduction, I go directly to the film itself (the first seen in three days).
A very, very good movie. Absolutely serious, completely without songs and dances, the film is a dramatic story about a scout. And of course, there's a bit of a thriller, and a bit of an action movie. The main role is played by John Abraham. A good actor with a pleasant appearance, which is not surprising for a model and a beauty contest winner. I am not a fan of John, but he delights me with every work, whether it is a comedic, romantic or tragic role. In this film, he has an unexpected role for me - his character Romeo, who worked in a bank, is recruited by Indian intelligence to work in the rear of the opposition. Who is the opposition in the 60s of the last century? Pakistan, of course. And, of course, after the country was divided into India and Pakistan, even Pakistan was divided into two, the West and the East. The film depicts the period in the history of the country when East Pakistan became independent and today we know this country as Bangladesh.
I decided to give a short reference, because I am sure that not many people are familiar with such details. It's important to understand the film. Because the relationship between the two countries is complicated, because the two parts of Muslim Pakistan were territorially separated, which of course backfired for India. And so, of course, there was work for spies, i.e. scouts. The story was well told and it was interesting to learn about the details. I understood that in the image of Romeo (under the name Akbar in the Pakistani rear) there is not a specific person, but a certain collective image and a tribute to those brave people who risked their lives for peace and tranquility. What is said in the final credits of the film.
In general, for me, as a fan and a lover of Indian cinema, and even quite experienced in this, the plot and the whole construction of the film was unexpected. There was not a single fantastic trick. Fights and chases are performed by ordinary people, clearly without special training. No computer graphics to make the picture beautiful. Even a slightly clumsy naturalness just struck.
Actors are all good. John Abraham I didn't know at first with this hairstyle. Until he was named Romeo in the movie, I didn’t realize it was him. I look at it and think, what kind of actor? And John where? And this is him. He doesn't look like himself. Then, when he was in the form of Akbara, with the usual hairstyle and beard on his face, you can immediately see that this is John, whom I know and respect as an actor. By the way, when I read the title of the film, I thought it would be about three different people, by analogy with the film Amar, Akbar, Anthony, 70s. And that's what happens.
Excellent film, interesting. John Abraham is brilliant in this role. The situation is quite realistic. There is no riot of colors and unnecessary emotions. I liked the story laconically, everything is so restrained that in my opinion it turned out to be a good serious film about the work of a scout. There's nothing political or jingoistic about this film, but there's the right amount of patriotism, a good story, cinema, directing and a stunning twist! This film is based on real events (the director was inspired to create the film, the story of the secret agent Ravindra Kaushik, aka Black Tiger). This, as I mentioned, is a tribute to all those unsung heroes who sacrifice everything to defend the Motherland from within enemy territories.
John Abraham did great, Jackie Shroff was pretty good, Sikander Kher was good too. I really liked the actress who played the mother of the main character, what a sad look she had, just tears. The story of Romeo/Akbar is also very impressive. How much did a person have to endure, what to give up and what to sacrifice for the sake of his country? Not everyone can do that. Therefore, even among the military, who have devoted their entire lives to the service and defense of the Motherland, there are very few people who can really be real intelligence officers. A film about the liberation war in Bangladesh in 1971 (Indo-Pakistan War).
Details of the set of the 1970s are simply amazing. Everything from clothing style to hairstyles, interiors and vehicles... It reflects the era in which the film takes place. John Abraham, Jackie Shroff, Sikander Kher, Anil George... They are all beautiful in their imagery. The film is fantastic.
Long live India!
10 out of 10