Mr. & Mrs. Iyer
Cliff reviews Mr. & Mrs. Iyer:
Better late than never….. right? I have been meaning to write my piece for a long time, there are so many movies I’d like to review- “Saat Hindustani”, “Baalak”, “Aasheerwad”, “Mere Apne” to name a few. But I am going to input my 2 cents worth on “Mr & Mrs Iyer” which I watched yesterday… I know… It is a 4 year old movie, don’t know if someone has already reviewed it.
I have to say it has been a breath of fresh air for the usual masala flicks which Bollywood churns out on a daily basis. Kudos to Aparna Sen on a job well done. Rahul Bose and Konkana Sen did an awesome job.
I have seen Rahul Bose as a young man playing Rugby at “Bombay Gymkhana” and hanging with his buddies, where I used to work as a part-time waiter during the mid 80’s working my way through college. Short in stature but ruggedly handsome, poised and dignified, there was something about him that stood out from others. Glad to see him succeed as an accomplished actor.
About the movie: Set in the back ground of communal violence, these two strangers, Meenakshi and Raja meet up by chance on a ride to a common destination. Fate brings them closer to each other in the form of a cranky crying child which also saves Raja’s(Rahul) life. Although Raja seems reluctant and aloof initially, he gels with them seeing her plight trying to juggle a crying child, glaring seatmate and annoying fellow riders.
Raja, a compassionate, modern gentleman,yet a little arrogant, puts his life in line to keep a promise to his friend and Meenakshi’s father, to ensure that she and her child have a safe passage through the curfew and the riots. He is drawn towards her in spite of the fact that she is married with a child and has a chip on her shoulder.
Meenakshi ( Konkana) traditional, devoted to her family and child but drawn to Raja for everything he is to her and her child during the crisis, shows superb emotions and body language depicting the anguish and growing sexual tension between them. Like the young ladies with the excursion group point out, she looks too young to be a mother and there is an inner child in her which yearns to get out and act out her emotions openly with Raja.
The scene where they witness a man’s throat being slashed from the forest bungalow is executed beautifully and professionally with a lot of emotions. Dialogues are meaningful and precise. Similarly during the train ride the scenes were acted out refreshingly perfect, without the usual overacting and melodrama seen in Bollywood movies.
One thing that I found that was missing was, he never thanks her for saving his life, if it wasn’t for Meenakshi thrusting the crying child on Raja’s lap when the two fanatics were hunting for Muslim victims, and she readily answering to their query of what their names were with “Mr. and Mrs. Iyer”, he would have been caught, if they had him pull down his pants ( you know what I mean). Maybe I am over analyzing, but that is my take on that one. Just like Lieutenant Dan ( Gary Sinese) never thanks Gump ( Tom Hanks) for saving his life in ” Forrest Gump”, till the very end of the movie.
The movie is in English, with none of the phony accents, spoken perfectly like how Indian speak. We tend to forget that India was a British colony for 400 years, English is the common language that brings all of India together, with all of its 18 languages and boneheaded political decision of splitting up the states linguistically after independence from the British rule.
Music is so-so, did not care much about the songs. Maybe if I watch it a few more times, which I intent to, I might change my mind about Zakir Hussain’s music, which I immensely admire. In conclusion, a beautiful and powerful story with a lot of subtle underlying messages, humanity for one.
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You know Rahul Bose personally huh, did I tell you how much i like this guy
A nice and personal review, I enjoyed this one too. Konkana, was fabulous, totally magnificent in her portrayal of Meenakshi. This lady is a actress for sure!
I wanted to see this film because at a holiday party somewhere a few years ago, a few “uncles” were sitting around talking about this movie. At first I was surprised that they would even know this independent film. I soon realized they were pissed off about the portrayal of hindus in the film. That was pretty much their reason for discussing the film.
I personally liked the film and I don’t understand this obsession and naive fascination whenever an Indian character is on screen or in the news?
M. Night Shyamalan is not indian. He’s born and raised american. He doesn’t give a damn about indians or desis or whatever the fuck.
So why does everyone act like he’s batting for the entire race? Same goes for the antagonists of this film.
People, especially old indian people seem to to think that every bad indian character is somehow a direct attack on them.
And did Sangeeta tell you how much I like this guy too?
I agree, both Konkona and Rahul were great in this film.
That scene where they witness a man’s throat being slashed is indeed handled in a very clever and sensitive way.
The scenes during the train ride made my heart bleed. They were made with taste.
I also loved the dialogues during the chat they have with the girls on how they met and where they went for their honeymoon. Superb.
I have seen this film about thrice since last March, when I saw it for the first time. :d
I liked the music the second time
Move over Monica, you can’t keep taking them away from me.
:d
Mr and Mrs Iyer…was a crazy ass movie..i loved it. First time i noticed Konkona and couldnt believe she was a Bong. The scene which really moved me a hell lot was where the two older Muslim couples are dragged out of the bus when a Jew guy tells the Terrorist( yes i will call them terrorist) that the older couples are the only Muslims in the bus…terrifying scene.
Good One Cliff and welcome aboard on authors list!!!
Guys,
Thank you all for the comments. I am a firm believer that cinema is for entertainment and meaningful messages. You will see more of me around here.
Cliff
Cliff … a real good post ..about an under rated film.
I have nothing more to say except two things
1. the film is 75-80% brilliant konkona is THE TAMIL BRAHMAN woman in the film .. I can vouch for it (Im a fellow tam-brahm)
2. the end … towards where konkona starts having fellings (or doesn’t she ?? ) gave it away … for mae .. it ended up becoming a hindi/masala film ….if u know what im trying to say ..
Two words.
Movie rocks
(*)
Kartik,
I have to disagree with you. Put 2 hot blooded young adults in close proximity for an extended period of time and observe. Anything is possible including sex depending upon the ideas, commonality,interaction, situation and sexual orientation. Color, caste and the other aspects of life take a temporary backseat at least for the time being.
BTW, I just happen to be a half Brahmin- half Malayalee Nair, raised in a predominantly commie( pro-Communist) household. I have a capitalist mindset and love Filet Mignon(Beef Steaks). Go figure!!
Cliff
Cliff .. that was the problem .. two strangers coming close (getting attracted) to each other in a journey is so cliched / bollywoodean .. that i resented it in the film ….
Im not saying the film is bad … i just didn’t like the last few portions .. thats all
Kartik
I am surprised you say that because a lot of Tam-Brams I know thought Meenakshi Iyer was caricaturish. And the way she pronounces the word Tamil is how the non tamilians do it and was certainly not the tamizh - the way tams pronounce.
Kaalia
If we wish to go to that detail…She has been brought up in Eastern India..that’s how the story starts…I dont think so Tams all over the place…speak pure tamil or pronounce it tamizh for that matter…
Well, my point being (realized that did not come out from my earlier comment:))… I did not really find her character caricaturish…though I not being from TN (though I am a Tam Bram) may be the reason for not finding that so…
Konkona was a tiny wee bit cariacatursih in ‘Iyer’, but pretty much endearingly so. I mean, it was hardly like Mithun in Agneepath, bellowing an Ayyoo every two lines - now that was a real cariacature.
In fact, always did think Agneepath was not one of Mithun’s strongest performances - not from the man who gave us ‘Mrigya’ and brilliantly enacted Ramakrishna Paramhamsa in ‘Vivekananda’. Hope he has a meaty role in Guru, unlike his recent outings.
@ Ranjit… I too hope Mithunda gets a meatier role in Guru…but, something cropped up…we see posters/hoardings/clippins and all the advertising of Guru..we see.. AB Jr, Aish, Madhavan, Vidya and for christ’s sake even Mallika..but where is Mithunda? Does he have a special get-up in the movie that Mani doesnt want to reveal now? Interesting huh?
Sorry Cliff..unrelated to the post..but had to…feel me bro
@ Kartik:
I say it is all good if presented well. At least in this case, I can say that fiction/cinema imitating life and not the other way around. I know people who have had chance encounters with strangers never to have heard from them again, call it a one night stand if you like.
From movies, I can give you the examples of classic films like Bridges of Madison County with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep and The Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Cheers, my man!!
Hi
I am new to this forum.
I have seen Mr & Mrs Iyer about sixteen times.
It ranks right on top in my list of romantic movies. So if you notice a strong bias in my opinion on this movie, just shrug it away, will you?
I particularly liked the fact that Raja did not thank Meenakshi for saving his life. It just happens to be one of the many important things that’s left unsaid between the two.
I think that went well with Raja’s character when i view it against the subtle arrogance that’s so much a part of Raja.
My favourite scenes in the movie happens to be the one at the end: where Meenakshi rests her head on Raja’s shoulder. That gesture contains a lot: abandon, resignation, love, anguish (of the female kind:)
It could have been so over the top. I think it was handled so exquisitely.
Ahem! i am going over the top here.
Rajashree,
Point taken. I agree with you totally. like you say, some things are best left unsaid.
Cliff