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15 Park Avenue
Mithi's Beautiful Mind |
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 JAN
11 - In every human being is a beautiful mind. Then comes the
zigzags, u-turns, jetsam and flotsam of life and living, most of
the time, inherited underdeveloped erratic genetic DNAs, and what
not, and a beautiful mind becomes a curve ball for the rest of us.
Socially still unaccepted in our Desi world here and in Des/Desh,
this clinical phenomenon, albeit mental impairment called
"schizophrenia" is what a beautiful mind unwillingly and unwittingly
uses to communicate with reality, dreams and fantasies. In the
bargain, it short-circuits, with sometimes extremely unacceptable
social and emotional manifestations.
The first time such a character - a "schizophrenic" was nuggeted for
the silver screen, it was titled "A Beautiful Mind". The
movie became an
instant hit in USA.
The movie not only succeeded in churning out dollars for its maker,
it brought "schizophrenia" to every American living room.
Money-loving industries stampeded thereafter to cash on the new
public empathy and sympathy towards it. Donations poured in and
visitors pilgrimaged to Princeton University "to meet the
Professor" on whose life story the movie was based.
That may not happen in India, but "15 Park Avenue" will surely bring
"schizophrenia" to every desi drawing room in USA and back home.
The person in us will adjust his and her bonded rationalities to
embrace a schizophrenic in our families, neighborhood, community.
That itself would be a big collateral success for the movie and
its maker, whether it makes money at the box office or not.
"15 Park Avenue" is the address that exists only in the mind of a
young schizophrenic girl Mithali. It is on this address her
imaginary husband and children live.
Aparna Sen’s movie ‘15 Park Avenue’ is a touching film with a
sensitive subject. It is a film that will appeal to selected
audience, not the masses. The movie is slow paced and the
culmination to the story is open-ended. But it's a beautiful effort.
It tells the tale of Mithali (Konkana Sen) and her elder sister
Anjali (Shabana Azmi). Mithi suffers from schizophrenia. She lives
in a delusional world that she conjures up in her imaginations. A
part of Mithi’s imaginary world is her husband Jojo and her children
who live at 15 Park Avenue. She is searching for the address, but
can’t find it anywhere.
 Mithi
was not like this always. Once she was a vibrant girl and worked as
a journalist. She was engaged to Joydeep Roy (Rahul Bose), whom she
lovingly called ‘Jojo’.
During one of her assignments, she was gang-raped by a number of
goons. Since then, her dormant schizophrenia became a full-blown
malady.
Mithi’s mental condition became so far removed from reality that
even Joydeep had to turn his back to her.
Joydeep is deeply shaken when he sees Mithi’s condition. He decides
to help her find ‘15 Park Avenue’.
Without a doubt, the movie has an engaging story, the excess use of
English at places notwithstanding.
Above all, ‘15 Park Avenue’ remains a film of brilliant
performances. Herself an actor, Aparna Sen knows well how to extract
performances from her cast.
Konkana Sen is incredibly convincing in her delusional,
schizophrenic and epileptic act. Watch this film to fall in love
with her.
Shabana Azmi fills her performance with subtle nuances that make her
character very real and believable. Rahul Bose plays his part
competently. Waheeda Rehman is natural.
On the whole, ‘15 Park Avenue’ is worth a watch. You'll step into
another world. Those expecting Bollywoodi, paisa vasool
entertainment can take a break. |
Rating: **
1/2
Director: Aparna Sen
Cast: Shabana Azmi, Konkana Sen, Rahul Bose,
Waheeda Rahman |
Rating
Index:
* * * * * Just brilliant
* * * * A cut above
* * * Enjoyable
* * Average
* Bomb |
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Top
10 Desi Movies |
1 Salaam-e-Ishq
2 Guru
3 Risk
4 Vivah
5 Dhoom 2
6 Bhagam Bhaag
7 I See You
8 Kabul Express
9 Lage Raho Munnabhai
10 Don
As of Jan 28,
2007 |
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