It is the subtle nuances that make this film adorable

There is no denying the fact that this movie is going to be loved by many movie buffs. The fact that Sridevi has proved beyond all doubts that she is not just the glamor girl with superb comic timing is so very obvious here. In fact her earlier Tamil films had given her ample opportunities to showcase her talent. One movie that comes to my mind is that Tamil film way back in 1976 ‘Mundru Mudichu’ where she seeks revenge from the villainous Rajnikant who kills her paramour Kamalahasan because he wants to attain her. Sridevi turns the table on Rajni by marrying Rajnikant’s widower father to take revenge on him with the ‘mother’s status. There was some classic acting here. Her Hindi films did not offer her good enough roles to show her versatility – until now!

Here is a girl, who without her own conscious knowledge, seeking acknowledgement of her capabilities and yearns for the much deserved respect and regard. And life gets very beautiful when that happens. Now going back to the subtle nuances in direction and acting that has made English Vinglish an adorable watch – these are a few of those scenes that comes to my mind:
1. When her English teacher ‘David Sir’ tells her that she is an ‘entrepreneur’ when she tells the class that she makes snacks and sells them (almost apologetically) – her reaction is worth watching. The inner glow that she feels that she is ‘something’ now! She cannot help but feel good and that feel good factor reflects so beautifully in her body language. She keeps repeating the word ‘entrepreneur’ to herself. That smile that cannot be held back as she walks back to get home, not even realizing that she is by herself and there could be people watching her, is worth a million words.

2. She stumbles when she first tries to enter through the turnstiles in the railway station by swiping her ticket, she does not get it quite right and a security guard helps her. But on the next day she gets it right and then gives a sidelong glance at the security guard as if to tell him – see I have learned how to do it, I got it right now! – And the smile on the security guard’s face as if to say – Yes Ma’am you got it right – good for you!

3. She is not shell shocked or indignant when Mehdi Nebbou in his own subtle way indicates that he is falling in love with her. Her momentary response of ‘shock’ is only because she had never imagined that she could be an object of love. The fact that she does not tell him that she is married and has children is only because that was an unnecessary declaration that is not going to change what he feels for her! She knows that she could never feel that way about him. And yet she acknowledges his feelings in these simple words towards the end – Thank you for making me feel good about myself!