[Movie Review] My Afternoons With Margueritte

A refreshing random surprise: different from a typical Masala story. No nonsense, no repressed sex bullshit, no hypocrisy, no item songs. Just pure, platonic, love.

Watch it to get it.

Here is my favorite part of the story: excerpt from a poem that I fear would've sounded even prettier in French:

I met her on a bench in my local square
She made a little stir, tiny like a bird
With her gentle feathers
She was surrounded by words
Some as common as myself
She gave me books, two or three
Their pages have come alive for me
Don't die now,
You've still time, just wait
It's not the hour, my little flower
Give me some more of you
More of the life in you
Wait...
Not always are love stories
Just made of love
Sometimes love is not named
But it's love just the same.

Jai Ho - Censor Board abolish ho!

Jai Ho - Censor Board abolish ho!

U/A seems to have been one of the most abused licences the Indian filmmakers use to their advantage. It legally or for that matter otherwise also translates into "Universal Adult" which essentially means that the title holder has the 'freedom' to showcase his/her labour of love in an uninhibited manner across the lengths and breadth of the country!

I confess that I am not one of the most ardent "chest pumping and shirt ripping"  fans of the only 'Bhai' Indian film industry has ever produced and I am possibly, at the best, plain indifferent when my entire 'socially networked' groups of acquaintances seem to be quite buzzing with a 'nearly declared won' anticipation for the Salman Khan potboiler / masala entertainer even before its going on floor!

This time was no different when I didn't even bother to see where all "Jai Ho" got screened until late Friday evening when a friend's wife asked us for an "Expression of Interest" for the night show on the day of its release. I left it to the discretion of my home maker and we were set for the show.

Normally, I back myself for almost immediately sharing my own interpretation of the movie I see even if that means I have to burner the (post)midnight oil. This time I forced myself into a deep contemplation shell for the last 48 hours since I finished watching this 'bought' exhibition rights and consciously stayed away from letting my verbal excreta getting the better of me. Some of you would probably be cursing me with "Why now then?" To them I once again very humbly request to kindly close this reading window from their smartphones and/or tablets/PC'S.

I would not have been able to forgive myself had I taken our young two months to three years old baby along. My past one year's experience guided me that 'U/A' issued by the Indian motion picture censor board is actually for adults (or at least for a reasonably mature mind with a relatively stable mental make-up) and possibly when it is forced to issue a minimum no. of 'A' certificates for its political masters it does so for either those mainstream offerings which would undoubtably qualify for at least a 'X X' in the other markets or are being owned by lesser privileged filmmakers!

It's sad to observe that the 'hallowed' name and often feared CBC (Central Board for Certification) has been bought over by the who's who in the film industry. It is no longer an inference but a bitter fact of life. Period!

Agreed that there cannot be a hero with even half the indomitable screen presence that Salman commands. Agreed that he almost single handedly carries the weight of the entire movie on his shoulders with such effortless ease that you feel about him strolling in the park while doing so. Agreed that he is India's answer to the original 'Rambo' and stands out from the rest like the Pole Star. Agreed that no one in the whole of Bollywood can even dream of racking up even an iota of his popularity which only keeps the very concept of "first day first show" still relevant.

In this brute portrayal of an 'Aam Admi' with his daily trials and tribulations while standing up against a corrupt government which has its own nefarious plans to ensure it keeps clinging on to the power he appears very much believable and keeps packing more than merely a punch during the entire 140 min length of the movie.

The rest of the ensemble cast is comprising of the who's who from among the list of the most "flop actors". You name it and s/he was there in one or two frames to fill in the blanks. The new leading lady Daisy Shah has looked a lousy import even as the veteran Danny could find it a very 'unrepenting' role he was offered to convince him making a comeback after ages. He simply lost the plot in his initial few scenes only and could never regain even one inch of his lost turf till the very end. Quite a disappointing selection by one of the finest villains of yesteryear. Tabu inspired some confidence in bits and pieces but again she also could have avoided this embarrassment.

Now comes the most disturbing side of this commercial necessity to upgrade the certification to 'U/A' by possibly doing some under table exchanges with the censor board. How on earth could a repeated crude reference to the male anatomy by the leading lady and a vociferous retort by the young 7-8 year old nephew of the hero by revealing her undergarments' colour could have gone unnoticed by the learned jury? How and why possibly the most loud sound effects (having the potential to puncture a healthy young heart) used in abundance along with the lengthy and gory action sequences could pass the muster? Are all of those qualified but corrupt officials insensitive towards the mental make up of an impressionable young mind? Why would the production houses be compelled by just the commercial success of their work to not evidence their basic propriety and social responsibilities?

With that food for thought I put it to rest with a serious request to all of you who have already seen the movie. Please do not hesitate in sharing your own views. If you concur with my apprehension please come out in open and support this crusade against a corrupt censorship. We are better off without it. Should you find my outburst just too lame and/or emotional lacking any considerable merit I would welcome your bashing me up as well. Let's open this sensitive debate for a possible conclusive actionable we owe to our future generations.

On REndex, I give 10 out of 10 to Salman for his charisma and star power, 7 for his acting in this movie and -10 for his carelessly using "Being Human" when he hardly means it, at least for his young fans.

Jai Ho!!

(C) Rits Original
Scorpiofury.blogspot.com

[Movie Review] Dhoom 3: an out n out Aamir fare

Dhoom 3: an out n out Aamir fare
A review by Ritesh Garg.
(C) Rits Original 2013-14
Scorpiofury.blogspot.com

Wasn't it expected to be that way only? Even the lone Aamir basher staying in his mansion somewhere near the CCD outlet on the Band Stand (in Bandra) wouldn't put his money on the 'others' in this latest episode of the immensely 'milkable' Yashraj franchise. When the master perfectionist of the industry is in his full form (when was he last not in any way in your memory?) you just do not care about what role is being essayed by whom. They simply get redundant in the overall scheme of things and even their limited on-screen presence becomes annoying. That's not very surprising when these 'others' indeed are the clueless summer interns who get to break into some specialized course on management (or board) seats and every time they end up turning themselves into "poker faced" bummers who just got lucky in a "lottery of sperms". But when the attention span of the audience doesn't spare even the nation's (arguably the prettiest) heartthrob a thought the responsibility (of delivering) gets all the more manifold on the diminutive frame of the erstwhile (and original) chocolate hero. How does he more than make up for all the mediocrity around? Simply, by doubling the booster dose! And boy-o-boy! Oh boy! Does he make you go ga-ga with both of his avatars? He stands up (nothing unusual here) and delivers a knock out punch.

Quite matter-of-factly, Dhoom 3 is just Aamir and all of him in his full glory. Rest all is just noise. Noise of the thundering engines of those BMW superbikes which turn themselves into ichchadhaari boats and what not merely on the push of a button. Noise of the rest of the ensemble cast which is desperately (and quite uselessly) trying to prove worth of the numbers written on its paycheck in a screenplay which finds itself numbed with an utter lack of a storyline.

You won't be blamed for mistaking D3's action director to be its 'director' as two third of the 173 minute running time is picturized on the Chicago streets at a pulsating pace. Credit goes to the cinematographer for doing a good job here in what could very easily have been a monotonous repetetion of the same high voltage chase affairs. One sixth of the movie's length is spent on the delectable song & dance sequences which doesn't thankfully interrupt flow of the desi Fast n furious.

As for the performances, lesser said the better about the genetically precocious Uday Chopra but by playing second fiddle to a strong mainstream hero Abhishek Bachchan is digging up his career's grave with each such sub-par portrayals. If Kat keeps playing such dumb bimbo type roles very soon age is not going to be on her right side as other fresher faces wouldn't have to burn any midnight oil in their bid to latch on to such low hanging apples.

Aamir keeps surprising us with each of his screen adaptations but honestly even as a die hard fan of him I am a tad disappointed as to why did he agree to lend his credence to this otherwise tasteless dish! I am sure with the ensuing Christmas break this also would cross 300 Cr mark in this calendar year itself but knowing him as a 'thoughtful' exhibitioner I am sure he won't rate this one as his most proud selection.

Just for one of my true favourite's absolutely unadulterated performance D3 gets a seven on REndex. I know it's (favourably) biased but then life hasn't been so very impartial with yours truly.

(C) Rits Original
Scorpiofury.blogspot.com

[Movie Review] Goodfellas (1990).

Watched it again... only to remind myself what classic storytelling this is.. how three strong characters collide, erupt, and vaporize for a command at the screen. One after the other.

If you have not seen it yet, do not anymore.

C'mon. Just kidding:-) Get in touch with the crass, the raw, the ruth, and the blood.

Get in touch with the animal.

Get in touch with truth.

You will love it.

Wanna bet?:-)

[Movie Review] Raanjhanna (2013): Boy-o-boy!! Oh boy!!

I won't be blaming you for sneering at this somewhat tacky beginning to my thoughts. But this is precisely what I felt on countless occasions last evening while reluctantly watching Raanjhanna. I confess that I didn't care to see its review anywhere (which is what I normally do otherwise) to form an opinion about it as I simply didn't feel like doing it!! But when left with no suitable alternative at a multiplex ticket window & when “not entering inside it” was ruled out I gave my consent for watching this 2 week old release I certainly didn't have an idea what khaalis 130 minute entertainer was in the offing!

Few of my admirers (all of them could be counted on finger tips any way) have been requesting me for some time to review the movie I just finished watching & today I couldn't help do so. What ethereal concoction of drama, comedy, effortless performances & seasoned directorial tribute to the Indian cinema. Hats off to the entire team for coming up with THE masterpiece.

Dhanush may be light years away from the stereotypical image of a Bolly hero & you might have already seen quite a many sartorial art works on social media ridiculing him as the main lead but does he do justice to the faith shown in him by the avant-garde producer director duo. He takes to the popular Hindi cinema with such convincing & consummate ease as a Hilsa in the Hoogly waters. For this role of a vagabond turned road Romeo there couldn't probably be found a better choice than him. From his mannerism to a very typical dialogue delivery (in all likelihood dubbed by himself) to his own style of dancing with gaiety he leaves his mark on every single frame of his screen presence. He is simply just so endearing.

Sonam Kapoor has grown by leaps & bounds since her Cinderella affairs in her earlier avatars. Like all other cast of the movie she also does mesmerize you with her coming of age performance, initially as a vulnerable daughter than as a feisty comrade. Abhay Deol has perfected the art of portraying a gentleman and though no complaints from him whatsoever in a guest appearance one would expect from him to try something diabolical now to challenge himself.

Bindiya keeps teasing you as the wanna be love interest of Kundan but the real meat of a role was that of Kundan's Man Friday for all seasons Murari. He steals the show with punches after punches while bringing a smile on your face by being so rustic in usage of local UP slangs (many of you would get a sense of déjà-vu on hearing some of the very popular ones).

All in all, this movie has all the makings of being the flag bearer for India @ Oscars and it might just go in the history as the one with the most TV re-runs after its theatrical run is well over.

Illogically yours truly

Rits ;-)
(Ritesh Garg)

p.s.: Please find some time for putting in your feedback on this critique. You may want to also share it on my Twitter handle @Rits1011

[Movie Review] 3:10 to Yuma. 2007. English.

3:10 to Yuma.

Cowardice.

Humiliation.

Shame.

The heroism that brews in that brawl.

Heroes.

The making of one.

And the cost of being one.

It's not just another blood boiler from the wild west. It's a damn good short story. And an epic at that! Watch it. And it will put you back in touch with integrity, courage, and character.

[Movie Review] The Infidel. 2010. English (UK)

Finished watching it. Highly recommend it to anyone who has the slightest taste for Brit humor with a tinge of ethnic tension that only yields laughters when it unbuttons:-)

What would you do if you grew up a Muslim, and at 45 yrs of age you find out you were adopted from Jewish parents? An exquisite portraiture of religious intricacies and customs.

Go watch it. It will enrich your senses, and open your mind!

[Movie Review] Innocent Voices (Voces Inocentes). 2004. Spanish.

Although unpleasant, the way this movie recorded innocence and childhood getting muffled will make you think about how far we have come as a cultured race.

Chava (Carlos Padilla) became my instant favorite in the very first reels. He has an elusive yet extraordinarily expressive face. He really means it when he says he is the 'man of the house' amidst a missing father, a dedicated and loving mother, a younger brother, a cute little farty sister (yes you read that right), a few best friends, an angelic girlfriend, poverty, and guerrilla warfare.

It is really unfortunate that kids his age have to go through war and death when they should actually be attending summer schools to sharpen their favorite skills.

The village shown is as authentic as you would get (at least I thought so) with people eager to help each other even though their roofs cant help but let the rains through and the young kids get recruited to the army every year. And to think all this started because peasants opposed government's move to occupy private property.


The part that most affected me though was when Chava goes to his friend (Christie Maria)'s house to gift her a toad (watch the movie to know why), and all he finds is shreds of her dress in a burnt down war struck remains. The part where he copes with that incident, his performance is remarkable! In that one moment, I wanted to be that kid, and feel the pain he felt as his was squeezing Christie's dress-shreds close to his heart, shaking, and watching the toad jump away under tropical rains...

And did I mention Leonor Varela did one helluva job as a distressed single mother, who makes an honest living, and keeps her children away from all the political/anti-government propaganda? What prowess, what intimacy!

I still wish subconsciously that I could bring back his lost friends, the girl friend, his father, and his innocence, but I fear that would turn it into a senseless predictable flick. And then again, it is based on true stor(y)(ies).

'Innocent Voices' is the first movie in a long while that gets a perfect 5.0 rating from me. A must watch if you are open minded enough to appreciate international cinema!

[Movie Review] Funny Games. 2007. German.

Contrary to people who have been swearing that this is the most terrifying movie they ever saw, I found Funny Games to be quite funny!

First of all, NetFlix guys cheated. They show details of the English remake of the original German movie with Naomi Watts, but the online track actually plays the German one. Shame on them for this bait'n'switch trick!

And now to the movie itself. For originality, I wouldn't rate the movie high at all. It is a bad twist in the arm of a well scripted horror flick. The only problem is, it gets very predictable after a few scenes, and that's exactly when you start wondering why you started watching it.

Comic horror, torture, psycho-depiction, senseless gore: I watched it all...only in hope for one thing.. JUST ONE THING that would blow my brains away.

Unfortunately that didn't happen. And all I can remember from the movie now is the kid.

I would highly recommend AGAINST watching this one. My rating: 1.0/5/0. ( I wish I could go even lower. Perhaps I will!).

[Movie Preview] Raajneeti. 2010 (June). Hindi.

Raajneeti. noun. (Sanskrit/Hindi). Meaning: Politics.

I am eagerly waiting for it's release. For one, it has the stars that I admire: Manoj Bajpayi, Ajay Devgan, and Naseeruddin Shah.

The promos look promising. My only fear is that the screenplay will get lost following such a huge star-cast. But then again, it's Prakash Jha, so I still have my hopes up.

All the hype of relating it to real characters, and presenting known issues apart, I am most interested in what Jha brings as possible solutions to World's largest sovereign democracy.

The last movie I saw with Manoj Bajpayi in it was the movie '1971'. He played Major Suraj Singh. No matter how close the character was to the real hero, his rendition pricked a few in my conscience. I will probably never forget that movie as long as I am alive. And who can forget his portrayal of Bheekhu Mhatre in Satya?

Ajay Devgan is another such actor, who has gained immense versatility over the year since his debut in 'Phool aur Kaante'. His renditions in Zakhm, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Omkara will always feature in his top performances.

And need I say anything for Naseeruddin Shah? He is, because he acts. That should suffice:-)

Let it roll... cannot wait to write a review. In case you want to know, here is a link to the movie's official website.

[Movie Review] Take Out. 2004. Mandarin.

Ever watched yourself gasp as they gut your soul and walk away from you? Ever felt like that fish that is hooked out, but thrown back into the waters with a hole in it's heart?

Take out will take you there.

The 9 hours that you live with Ming Ding, as you become him, you will never want to live that way again. Every passing minute that Ming is on his run-down bicycle, you'd wish is the last one. It's a story to get inspired from. It's a story to fight with, and for. It's a story to learn to persevere in adversity.

Oh how Ming becomes your hero from a common home delivery guy. He doesn't speak much. But his eyes do. His soaked feet do. His hurting bones do. And his bike's paddles do.



In one day, the director makes you live one full life-time of hope, fear, courage, strong-will, and death of a soul.

Beware. It's not a feel good movie. The end message is not a glamorous one. However, it will take you closer to appreciating what you have. Hopefully, then, you will not complain much about the life that you have, that HDTV that you couldn't buy, the boat that you can't afford, and that expensive party you couldn't throw.

Watch it. It will give you a perspective into what life means to some of us.

I rate it 4.9/5.0.

[Movie Review] Pyaar Impossible. 2010. Hindi.

Just finished watching 2 hours 15 minutes of "Pyaar Impossible" in 30 minutes (fast fwd, Netflix online).

Do they really think young generation is that stupid that we will hail Uday Chopra for making a super-unified-Opetating System all in his home lab (an OS that works perfectly on ANY computer that exists, and ANY mobile platform that exists too)? VMWare kya teil bech rahi hai itne saalon se? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..

But wait, it doesn't stop there. Dino Morea gets impressed by the 'software' after barely seeing a splash screen, AND manages to copy all this wonderful software on a pen drive, that too in seconds!

AND in the end, the way original author is decided is by 'who can enter the correct password' test. And don't even get me started on how the smartie Uday manages to break into a top secure server room. WTF?

These big shot movie makers really need some tech consulting. Stupid crawlers!

In short, this movie has nothing worth attention except Priyanka Chopra, and her daughter.

I say we start boycotting such stupid movies. After all how long would we let the big banner guys make movies on stupid themes of love on campus, again, and again, and again, and again...? Enough already! Make some meaningful movies about someone making big in life because of their values, or hard work. There are many many such stories if we just look around. No one has any budget to make biographies on Pres. Abul Kalaam Azaad, or Infosys founder Mr. Narayan Murthy, or even movies that are socially relevant.

I rate this movie 1.0/5.0. What a sheer waste of time!

[Movie Review] Bliss (Mutluluk). Turkish. 2007.

Bliss (Mutluluk) 2007 (Turkish).

All the blue waters you will see in the frames, there is only one more thing more chaste in there: Meryem.

One village. It's customs. It's gullible people. And then there's her: Meryem.

All the power of the man. All the curses of humanity. All the tainted memories. And one; just one: Meryem.

It's a treat not only for the eyes, but also for the soul. All hell breaks lose. Yet she lives: that Meryem.

So clear that her eyes speak. So humble that the waves bow. So strong that the hearts change. What a soul: that Meryem!


It's an exceptional story with extraordinary character renditions and a breathtaking cinematography. And you can learn a bit of Turkish too!

I rate it 4.8/5.0.

[Movie Review] Sous Les Bombes (Under The Bombs). Arabic. 2007.

Sous Les Bombes (Under The Bombs) 2007, Arabic, is not about terrorism. Neither is it about religion, or extremism.

It is a story about a mother and a son separated by unfortunate bombings of a conflicted region in Lebanon.

It starts with Zeina rushing to Lebanon where she finds fear, apprehension, military, international media, destruction, distraught families. And then she finds Tony: a brave Christian cab driver. Both start on a dangerous journey to the disputed region, with their own motives (alert: Tony's motives do not see light until the very end).

What followed was beyond my predictions, and was subtle yet gripping. I forgot that I was watching a movie and not a well crafted documentary (I still believe some of the characters were actual victims of the war... I cannot fathom stage actors bringing the creepy calm that you see on their faces in some of the frames).

Tony, who starts with a greed to squeeze most of Zeina's money owing to her desperation, unravels his true self just when she needs it the most (I will keep the details for you to enjoy).

The frames are stitched together with eerie monologues, empathetic dialogues, poor yet helping hands, a failing state, and a dry yet gorgeous scenery of rural Lebanon.

In the end, sacrificing in their own ways, they do get within hand's reach of Karim, Zeina's lost son.



But are they able to get to him? And what happens to their life thereafter? Does Zeina leave her uninterested business-man husband for a stranger she just met, because he provided more for her in 3 days than her partner of 20 years?

Watch it now to know more. I guarantee a wash out of all your strong prejudices against the Arabic people. You will find that common people nowhere want to bear wars, and the losses that fall out. You will realize that underneath that stereotyped Middle-Eastern face of Tony lies a young and soft heart who enjoys music, food, dreams and a struggle to get to them.

I rate it 4.7/5.0.

[Movie Review] Matrubhumi: A Nation Without Women. Hindi w/English Subtitles. 2003.

It is an articulated nightmare that rattles your sub-conscious and then slowly recedes back into reality. I watched this movie as a petrified, collapsed, and disgusted soul. The most dangerous part: it didn't seem far from what has been happening in one of the world's richest cultures. More than shame and humiliation, I felt relief that none of the people of my generation that I know are participating in such gender discrimination.

Somebody said that this movie is perverse, and doesn't fit what Indian culture stands for. Well it is perverse. But it is ultra-fiction. It is to art cinema what sci-fi is to action movies. It is a bit too much to grasp, but nothing that you can't imagine happening if newborns were to be killed based on their gender.

The best way to describe this masterpiece is that it cut a piece off my existence, and then smeared it with burning gun powder. It's a mark that probably will never go away, and will keep reminding me how not to treat a female child, teen, or adult.

I rate it 4.9/5.0.

[Movie Review] Missing. English.1982.

I almost stopped watching this movie about 1/3rd of it's way into the plot. I am so glad I didn't.

It's not just a political drama. It's about the defeat of transparency at the hands of virtues of a state. It shows how vulnerable and dispensable we are even in the world's richest (republican) democracy.


Everyone in the movie has a role that is more or less justified. But the character that brazes a spear through your chest is that of Jack Lemmon's. It's a movie I won't soon forget.

I rate this movie 4.7/5.0.

[Movie Review] The Stoning of Soraya M. Persian. 2008.

I just finished watching "The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008), Persian" and can't believe my eyes!!! The worst part, it's based on a true incident. It's as bad as the Sati tradition in India, which thank goodness, has been abolished for good.

All the emotional and religious drama apart, it is a convincing and appealing screenplay of a strong heart wrenching novel. There are times in the movie where you want to pause and change the outcome.


Shame on humanity. Shame on all the technology, all the first world B.S. talk, all the Star Wars fiction, all the HD tv hungry middle class, and all ambitious enterpreneurs trying to change the world. There are still bodies around that leave their last breath while getting stoned by spineless cowards.


I refuse to call myself a proud citizen of the world as long as things like this happen. Religion only turns humans into animals, and that's all I have to say on this.

[Movie Review] Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta). Spanish. 2004.

"Before he changed the world the world changed him"

[Movie Review] Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta) (2004).

Philanthropy, adrenaline, passion, love, and breathtaking views. It's a story of what you are not. It's a story of what you don't know you miss, because you never dared to experience it.

It is as authentic as the air you breathe, the leaf you don't crush, the tears you hide. Two friends who take on a trip for fun and adventure. And an year later, they find home in realizing the pretense they had been living all along. They meet hostile boundaries but loving people. They see pain. They live suffering. They fall in love, then come out of it, and then fall again only this time it's with what they really love - compassion, truth, genuine human to human respect.


They dare. They learn. And in just one year, their soul shakes off the prejudices. They are human again.

A must watch. I give it 4.85/5.0!

[Movie Review] Midnight Express. English and Turkish. 1978.

I just lived a life and a half behind walls. My soul churned away from the body and gasped for matter. I checked my toes when oozing blood split his nails. I screamed and cursed when he found the other end of the tunnel stoned.

Be warned: it will make you feel helpless. And hopeless. You may not like the freedom you enjoy anymore. Or perhaps you will cherish it as a gift: each day, every day.

"Midnight Express" is not a common tale of heroism and Hollywood stunts. Neither is it about a new age youth that believed more in freedom from responsibility than freedom of the ideals. It starts from a quick adventurous act, but slowly starts to taint your values and respect for humanity. In a way it's a good lesson for those who think the world is their playground just because they were fortunate enough to be born to luxury and vanity.


What starts as apathy for a stupid act soon becomes a battle for human rights and freedom. This movie reminds you that you really cannot get away with any wrong deed. More in some places than others, but you will pay the price. Although in all fairness, Brad Davis was exquisite in his portrayal of the strong will and courage of Billy Hayes (did I mention it is based on a true story?:-).

I rate this move 4.8/5.0. It's pungent. But it's a bomb at that.

Here's a picture of the real Billy Hayes, the day he arrived in the U.S. on Oct 24, 1975 via Greece. It gives an eerie feeling looking through his eyes, esp after you have just seen the movie.

[Movie Review] Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao (Not One Less). Mandarin. 1999.

It starts off as a slow Earthy tale of a 13 year old recent graduate who is forced to teach in the local primary school as the present (and the only) teacher had to leave to look after his dying Mother. Soon you notice the dynamics of a budding teacher (who herself is adolescent) with a class of 28 students, making you long for the control and stature that she lacks. The kids are a handful, and then some. Especially this one boy whose only solace is in being the center of attraction of the class; by hook, or by crook.

The story takes a swift turn when the previous teacher and the village-mayor promise Wei 50 Yuan in a month, and bonus, if she succeeds in retaining the student-count to 28, not one less. Before your realize, the plot has chained itself around you, as you become a first person force from a passive observer. You will grind teeth, cross nails with each other, and be amazed at the resilience and tirelessness that a teenager demonstrates when looking for a lost student. And then it will hit you. Simplicity. Courage. Perseverance. And three tears.

What a bliss to watch this live painting by Yimou Zhang. The only movie in a long while that gets a perfect score from me: 5.0/5.0. Bravo!


----------------Chinese (Simple) translation by Yahoo Babel Fish--------------------
----------------中国(简单的)翻译雅虎Babelfish--------------------

它开始作为被迫在地方小学教一个十三岁的近期毕业生的一个缓慢的土质传说，当当前(和唯一)老师必须离开照看他死的母亲。 很快您注意一位发芽的老师(谁她自己的动力学青年期)有28名学生类的，做您渴望她缺乏的控制和身材。 孩子是极少数，还不止这些。 特别是唯一的安慰在是类的吸引力的中心的这一个男孩; 由勾子，或者由弯曲处。 故事采取一个快速轮，当早先老师和村庄市长在一个月时许诺韦50元和奖金，如果她在保留成功学生计数到28，没有一。 在您体会之前，剧情在您附近束缚了自己，当您成为从一名被动观察员的第一人力量。 您将研牙，互相的发怒钉子和惊奇在韧性和tirelessness少年展示，当正在寻找一名失去的学生。 它然后将击中您。 朴素。 勇气。 坚持不懈。 并且三滴泪花。 观看这张活绘画的极乐Yimou张。 从我得到一个完善的比分很长时间的唯一的电影： 5.0/5.0. 喝彩声!