பழைய படம்

"இந்த  வாழ்க்கைப்  பயணம் போற போக்குல உணர்வுகளையும், உறவுகளையும் குழி தோண்டி பொதச்சுட்டு அப்டி எத தேடிகிட்டு போறோம்?"

"Leaving behind our feelings and our relatives/friends, where are we proceeding in this journey of life?"

Pazhaya Padam (non-native speakers of Tamil, read as ‘Palaya Padam’) is a short film made by the MGR Film Institute, Chennai, India. By short, I mean it’s really short – just about fifteen minutes. There are two reasons why I write about this film. One, the story they try telling us is so close to my heart; I have had the same feelings as shown in the movie, which is because I’m sentimental. Second, the music was scored by my very good friend Justin Prabhakaran, my undergrad classmate.

We live in an era, where sentiments have taken a backseat. In our race to succeed, and survive, we take every stride possible, not knowing what we lose behind. The film portrays an old man, living alone in a village, waiting for his grandson to come and see him. And when it happens, the loving grandson could not keep his grandfather with him for long, given his economical situation, and his parents wish to stay away. The film makes its point clear: What is it that makes a person happy, especially if you are old, weak, and lonely? It is the love of your children. Making up for lost time will never happen.

The film’s music, as for any short film, is a 'method' score, with some tear-jerking violin pieces and pleasant humming.  But for a first-timer (and when it is just his project), this is a very good attempt. I’m tempted to add a personal comment here: This guy won the best singer award in the whole of Madurai district in a competition ‘College Kondattam’ conducted by Jaya TV. We also won the prize for best group performance for a song composed and written by him. To me, he just seems to improve with every song he composes (sorry that I talk about something you have not heard)…

Coming back to the film’s music, we cannot expect any variety in a short film, that too one with such an emotional script. But with the limited scope, the music composer has done a great job, mixing a more subtle Indian tone throughout. Of course, there are clichéd music pieces like the sunrise scene which has “Kowsalya supraja ramapoorva” keerthanai in its background. I cannot count how many movies I have seen with such a scene, and with the same background music. But it is apt for such a film, as it takes the message across quickly. Now that he is with Harris Jeyaraj, we’ll hope he learns a few more tricks in the trade and comes back to the focus light, probably as a music director for a feature film.

The film’s title, literally meaning ‘An Old Portrait’ brings out the theme beautifully. We always think we can get back to our old times, our native town, and our childhood play grounds after finishing our job, and get to enjoy them the same way we did years ago. The same applies to spending time with your family. But we do not realize that time goes on, and doesn’t bother to wait for our return. So when we do return, all we see is just an old portrait of the times we missed. 

"எப்பவாவது இந்த உறவுகல பத்தி நினைவுகள் வரும்போது எல்லாமே பழைய படமா மாறிப் போயிருக்கும்..."

For the short movie:   Pazhaya Padam - Part I

                                       Pazhaya Padam - Part II

On-screen Partnerships – Hollywood – I

I have always liked a movie with more than one lead character. Even if there is a lead, and the focus is shared by another one, things get spicier. My favorite combination of actors on-screen may/will not be what the majority likes. But here I go ga ga about what I like, and why.

Will Smith / Jaden Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness:

Chris Gardner: Probably means there's a good chance. Possibly means we might or we might not.

Christopher: Okay.

Chris Gardner: So, what does probably mean?

Christopher: It means we have a good chance.

Chris Gardner: And what does possibly mean?

Christopher: I know what it means! It means we're not going to the game.

It was not until a few months after I saw the movie that I came to know Jaden was Will Smith’s own son. Well, I didn’t even try to see the kid's name in the credits when I saw the film. This was one of the most effective on-screen pairs I have seen. The single dad’s care for his son was portrayed impeccably by Will smith (he was nominated for an Oscar for best actor in a lead role). Jaden’s shaky voice throughout the film walking with his dad gave me a quirky smile. I doubt if any other pair could have moved me to the extent these two did. Let’s see if the time machine has an answer!

Arnold Schwarzenegger / Edward Furlong - Terminator 2: The Judgment Day:

John Connor: No, no, no, no. You gotta listen to the way people talk. You don't say "affirmative," or some shit like that. You say "no problemo". And if someone comes on to you with an attitude you say "eat me". And if you want to shine them on it's "hasta la vista, baby".

The Terminator: Hasta la vista, baby.

John Connor: Yeah but later, dickwad. And if someone gets upset you say, "chill out"! Or you can do combinations.

The Terminator: Chill out, dickwad.

John Connor: Great! See, you're getting it!

The Terminator: No problemo.

Arnold’s most famous character to date is that of The Terminator, his only sequel appearance. Role of the T-800 protecting John Connor, a go-frenzy kid is the best pairing we could have. The dialogues between the two take us through the first part of the movie in a lighter sense. The cautious terminator and the freelance future hero was a nice pairing in action. It was not the acting that made me like it, but the feel of togetherness between the characters. Of course, Arnold is my favorite actor and I would like whatever he does! John Connor: Life endangered, mother in peril, end of the world; and the Terminator: only mission to protect John. What else could be more complementary… Hope he’ll be back!

Christian Bale / Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight:

The Joker: Oh, you. You just couldn't let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren't you? Huh? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won't kill you because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.

Batman: You'll be in a padded cell forever.

The Joker: Maybe we can share one. You know, they'll be doubling up, the rate this city's inhabitants are losing their minds.

Christian Bale reprised his role as Batman in The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger as his arch-rival The Joker. With half the screen time with him, Heath Ledger really did take off his share of fame as the Joker. The two characters get together on the screen only halfway through the film, but when they did, their clashes were sparkling throughout, both in words and actions. This was one movie with more verbal exchanges between the protagonist and the antagonist. Crisp sequences and taut setting had these two characters etched out in a single timeline. The only botheration was that both their faces were masked, for the most part. Well, we know the Joker took it all, though a little late.

Will Smith / Alan Tudyk (Voice) - I, Robot:

  

Detective Del Spooner: I thought you were dead.

Sonny: Technically I was never alive, but I appreciate your concern.

This perhaps was one of the very few real vs. animated pairing on screen. Will smith’s portrayal of a robot-hating detective and Alan Tudyk’s voice for Sonny, the ‘unique’ NS5 robot make this movie a great sci-fi thriller. For someone who hates the illogical scientific advancement (like me), it is always difficult to comprehend even the good features of it. At the opposite end is Sonny, who is clear in his standpoint, and thinks he has a purpose. It is an engaging sequence in the latter half of the movie with both the characters playing the same side. Made me think who the lead role is!

  

Marlon Brando / Al Pacino - The Godfather:

Don Corleone: I knew Santino was going to have to go through all this... But I, I never wanted this for you… I refused to be a fool dancing on the strings held by all of those big shots. But I always thought that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the strings - Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone, something.

Michael: Another pezzonovante.

Don Corleone: Well, there wasn't enough time, Michael. There just wasn't enough time.

Michael: We'll get there, Pop. We'll get there. 

One of Hollywood history’s greatest movies of all time, with then superstar Marlon Brando and the fresh Al Pacino. The acting of the two took the film through like a novel, engrossing me in the happenings. Though it was Brando throughout the first half, the second half beautifully shows the father’s love for the reluctant younger son who has to take over his crime regime. The aging dad’s concern for his son and his family was one of the best performances by Marlon Brando (won Oscar for best actor in a lead role), and Pacino underplayed  so well as the son learning his father’s trade (nominated for Oscar – best actor in a supporting role). Best choices for the roles, and the rest was history.

These may not be the best on-screen duo ever, but just my favorites. There would be many more great on-screen partnerships I can write of. Let me think about more combos!!