MovieChat Forums > Swades: We, the People (2004) Discussion > A brave film fails to deliver........

A brave film fails to deliver........

posted 19 years ago by wetNdry
12 replies | jump to latest

Finally I saw "Swades" with my family. No doubt it was the bravest attempt after "Lakshya", but unfortunately it fails to make it a superhit (as I wanted it to be a super hit or widely accepted to the masses) merely because of weak script after interval. First half is excellent, later half is kind of un-real or boring whatever you call it. Who can bring electricity in a village in few weeks? I can bet if Aamir was there, he would have definately rejected this portion from script!
Film starts with widely talked NASA scene. I was not impressed at all with the standard of camerawork/direction at NASA. Very ordinary directed shots at NASA. AG should have taken the opportunity of the location. He missed it. I am not sure if NASA project managers wear jeans at work!
The Music: The only thing I like was the first song, very well composed, acted, and directed. The biggest drawback was the background music. I don't know what AG or AR Rehman or both were thinking. All the time background music was like a thriller/suspense movie. I believe it should have been like film "Gandhi", pure Indian classic music in background. I don't know why they were not liberal to use our classic music in background score?
This was a life time chance for SRK to proove himself but again he has disappointed me. Again he couldn't deliver. He still needs to deliver what Aamir did in Rangeela or Sanju did in Vastav or Rajesh Khanna did in Anand. His work is again over praised as usual. He has done again his usual over acting. What was that crying all the time with the aid of glyerin? Was there any need to cry when he talks first time with his friend about his kaveri amma? Was there any need to cry when he says " I don't believe our country is the greatest...infront of the panchayat. Was there any need of tears when he goes to collect rent. Was there any need of cry whenever he cried?
I felt at only 2 occasions he need to show his tears first, when he meets Kaveri amma after so many years and second when he says goodbye to Gita and leaves for USA. Guys just recall when Gita cries? I think only when SRK leaves for USA. That's what I called a perfect actress, she understood the characeter very well (I am just wondering when SRK will understand a character?). She came out as a winner in this movie, she has done exceptionally well in this movie and SRK looks pale infront of her. She is very attractive with her razor sharp killing features, perfect sized jaws, chin and lips with big eyes. Through out I enjoyed watching her. On top of that she is very talented actress.
Couple of other winners are Mela Ram and Postman (Rajesh Vivek). They have done exceptionally well. They were both shining infront of so called Bollywood Badshah. Bravo to both of them.
Ag's direction is not as sharp as it was in Laagan or I had higher expectations from his. He could have done better with everything.
Neverthless it was worth watching because it was a brave attempt and it was very refreshing to see something different from Chopra/Johar's crap.

"My life is my message."..........GANDHI

[–] OJ050502 19 years ago

Yesssssssssssss,
Gayatri Joshi is really HOT.
Can't get enough her though......lol
I don't mind going back to theater just for HER.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] wetNdry 19 years ago

I think now it is time that we accept the fact that over acting is in SRK's blood. Just see again how Gayatri/Rajesh Vivek/Melaram have acted in this movie and compare that with SRK. It's just amazing to see that new comers are shinnig infront of 16 yrs old experienced superstar. I am just wondering if people from director's unit were able to say something to him while shooting or they all love him like that! Very strange for someone like me though. I strongly believe that this was life time opportunity for SRK to proove himself, I don't think he should expect roles like this in future. He missed the opportunity.
I think I am in love with Gayatri's beaty and talent. I can say that she is the "DISCOVERY OF 2004". I hope we would be able to see more of her in few months.
Can't wait for her next film.

"My life is my message."..........GANDHI

[–] katya_sehgal 19 years ago

oh no! not at all. Swades is a better film than Lagaan. By every measure. And by the way it may be very difficult but it is not impossible to get electricity in 2 weeks. It was not a big town as such but a small village. That's how bad our bureaucracy is. This is why scenes like the panchayat meeting become very important.

This movie is a good example of characterization.

Again notice how the romance runs parallel with the scenes between the very pretty and talented Gayatri and SRK. Given so many genuine points, we can forgive the small punctures in the movie if you found any.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mikham 19 years ago

I loved the Dusshera song.

Gayatri's sexiness lied in the fact that she wasn't trying to be sexy in the film, she was trying to be real, and not run around half naked.

It's because I like you that I don't want to be with you. It's a very complicated emotion.

[–] Inmateshardstyle 15 years ago

I liked the film, I watched this, and I liked the actress, she was good in the film, SRK was ok, but not outstandning, his limited dialogue, and reaction to most events in the film could of even been acted by any actor.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 15 years ago

Esp. one Chakki Kumar.

'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'

[–] Chrysanthepop 15 years ago

I disagree chof, I thought Shahrukh was wonderfully restrained in 'Swades'. It had been a while since I saw him do something outstanding and 'Swades' came and it reminded me what a fine actor he is. I did not like the movie much though.

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

[–] smoky_circles 15 years ago

I totally agree with your review, however: I don't think SRK can act any other way, really. Melodramatic, semi-maudlin acting he has gotten so good at, so praised for, and also probably, so used to, that I don't think he bothers to do anything else. I saw him in Dil Se and he was really pretty good in it, and didn't cry so much (although he did do his spunky traits to a very disturbing result; credit: Mani Ratnam). It's sad really; I think he has a good actor in him but all he seems obsessed about is being called King or superstar or whatever, and not so much about acting for the love of being in character.

[–] TheCinemaphile 15 years ago

uve absolutely no idea what you are talking bout dude...

[–] rvk8842 15 years ago

I think the movie is great (wayyy better than Lagaan IMHO)
SRK did a great job - compared to his other typical roles. Gayatri Joshi was also fabulous. AG is one of the best directors out there today..its just that he requires more time to present his story on screen...he should try to make his movies less lengthier. Rahman's music was good..great actually..I dont understand why OP thought the music to be like a thriller/suspense one.
I am no critic..just a passionate fan of cinema.

I agree with the OP that there was no need to cry when he talks first time with his friend about his kaveri amma. But having tears in eyes after he hears about that farmer (when he goes to collect rent) and when he buys water from that boy are necessary...that shows how he feels bout the situation..and it is a normal reaction for such a situation.
I think the OP is so much in love with the actress that he finds nothing else in the movie as interesting as her. :-)

but I agree with OP that movie could have been made better (to get accepted by masses, and to be successful commercially)
And, bringing electricity in a few weeks for such a small town is not impossible..(though very difficult I agree) And, about what Aamir's response would have been in that case..well, after seeing Ghajini..and his comments that its not even inspired by Memento..etc..etc, I don't think his thoughts carry that much respect and importance (for me at least) though its true that he knows what wud sell in market and what wudnt..and he knows how to market his films REALLY well!