Apparently, people are loathe to accept this movie as a brilliant directional debut. I really dont care about all the in-depth scrutiny of how winning a painting competition isnt an everyday occurrence & doesnt happen in real life. I just loved this movie.
I am copy pasting the review I wrote sometime back even though I contradict myself when I said I wont be blogging for a long time. I should really watch what I say (or live upto it) whichever is applicable.
‘Taare Zameen Par’ speaks volumes of Amir Khan’s progress from an actor, and quite a good one at that, to the director who comes through with a movie detailing his astute observation about the pressure kids today have to face, thanks to their parents forever goading them to get that first place in every field. He reflects on the screen everyday events like a crowd at midday watching – for no reason – a crane busy at work, strict teachers who run the school tighter than a Nazi camp or the kid hiding his fake absent note all rolled and bound by a pink kite string hoping that it would stay buried in the magazine rack forever.
I loved the movie thoroughly even though a supposedly extroverted Nikumbh, with his dramatic entry as a loud showman clown in the movie unexpectedly resumes the role of a teary-eyed, emotional teacher. Or the sheer amount of songs in the movie. I mean, surely the lack of a female lead, thereby reducing the romantic angle scenario would have curbed the song factor. No such luck.
I also thought the appearance of an animated Spaceman Spiff (of Calvin & Hobbes fame) like character showing up while Ishaan day dreams about the answer of 3 X 9 was unsettling for an original movie.
Barring all these, what I did like about the movie was an adept sense of humour that effortlessly seamed the story forward. Ishaan breaking the neighbour’s outdoor flower pots while fleeing home after a fight, his father then packing his bags while the pathetic little boy begs him to stay; only to have the look on his face replaced by one of annoyance when he realizes dad’s only going for an office tour.
Particular touching scenes were those of Ishaan gawking at a labourer buying his son an iced lolly probably remembering his own, strict and inaccessible father. The red flip book was a superb touch to funnily make a point as to how unwanted and lost Ishaan feels in his own family. The paintings were awesome although I cringed a bit when Nikumbh uttered – ‘Such bold use of colour’ while showing Ishaan’s paintings to the headmaster. This standard line of painting discussion is so passé.
Nevertheless, the movie fills you up with a sense of pity for the lonely, misfit of a child. You cannot help but feel a twinge of heart when the boy who was perennially scolded, punished and humiliated ends up not having enough courage to receive praises unexpectedly. That’s why when he is called on stage to collect his prize, Ishaan hides in
the crowd for he does not want to be the centre of attention.
A note of mention to the crippled boy, Rajan Damodran who always stands first in Ishaan’s new school; he embodied perfection with his angelic face & sweet demeanour. What was evident was the startling contrast of personality and intelligence between the two boys. Yet they manage to be good friends with Ishaan realizing that everyone does not have to be all that perfect.
The movie ends by giving a fuzzy, warm feeling in the heart as you watch Nikumbh’s special bonding with Ishaan. I couldn’t help but notice that Ishaan’s father had for once changed his clothes from his standard formal suits into a casual half sleeved shirt at the end. Could this change also reflect his change of heart that would make him be a better father to his son? I would like to think so.
You may like ‘Taare Zameen Par’ or you may love it, as I did. If you didn’t like it altogether, I can’t possibly imagine why.
