Barsat (बरसात)

"Barsat (बरसात)"

Watched Hindi movie "Barsat (बरसात)".  Produced and Directed by Raj Kapoor, Story and Screenplay Ramanand Sagar. Music Shankar-Jaikishan, Cinematography Jal Mistry. It stars Raj Kapoor, Premnath, Nargis, K.N.Singh and introduces Nimmi. The film runs for about 2 and half hours and was released in 1949. I watched it with Aditi.

Raj Kapoor and Premnath are best friends. Premnath is a casanova and thinks that girls are incapable of loving and don't deserve to be loved. Raj Kapoor is a poet and believes in love. Premnath makes false promises to the hill girl, Nimmi, and she intern worships him and waits for his return. Raj Kapoor meets another hill girl, Nargis, and they fall in love. 

What happens next? Will Raj Kapoor and Nargis come together? Will Premnath return to Nimmi? Will Nimmi see through Premnath?

It's basically a story of belief in love versus non belief. Eternal love versus carnal pleasure. Serious relationship versus flirtation. There are a number of songs in this movie and each one is a melody and a hit. One can watch this movie only for the songs. They are sung even today, 70 years after the release. Unique feature of this movie is that there is a background score playing for the entire duration of the movie.

'Patli kamar hai tirchi najar hai' is a fantastic song. Every alternate line is by Premnath (who is enjoying life in the company of beautiful girls) and by Nimmi (who is hoping against hope that Premnath will return). The style of showing contrast in alternate lines of a song is original.

Raj Kapoor acts like himself,  a wistful lover boy. Nargis probably looks best in this movie and acts well. Premnath stands out. He gets to Express himself. This was before he let himself be typecast. Nimmi does well for her debut. K. N. Singh is shown as a rough man and he handles Nargis and Raj Kapoor really roughly. His character and director's handling of his roughness is realistic. Cinematography was good at that time of black and white but appears elementary  today. 

Watching the film today, 70 years after its release generates mixed feelings. On one hand one is amazed and on the other the technology, direction and acting appear primitive. Nevertheless, one can't help but admire the crew and efforts. 

Watch it for the experience.

Office Christmas Party

"Office Christmas Party"

Watched English movie "Office Christmas Party". This film is directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck. Written by John Lucas and others. It's produced by Guymon Casady and others. It stars Jennifer Aniston, T. J. Miller, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon, Olivia Munn, Courtney B. Vance, Vanessa Bayer. The film runs for about 1 hour 40 min and released in 2016.

Clay is branch manager of a company who's CEO is his sister Carol. One day,  just before Christmas, she decides to either lay off majority employees or close Clay's branch. Now they have one Christmas party to land a mega deal and save the branch. It's the Office Christmas Party.

How will they land a deal during Christmas party? Till what extent will they go for the deal? Will it end well or in a disaster?

It's a simple story, uncomplicated, spiced up with individual side stories (using electricity to carry internet signals, hooker for non-existent girlfriend, divorce, single mother etc. )

Acting by all the actors is overdone, probably as part of comedy. Jennifer Aniston is largely wasted. The role has little substance and scope. TJ Miller is likeable as a kind hearted, bumbling, hulk of a boss. Jason and Olivia are the only serious actors. 

Direction is ok. Sometimes director goes overboard. Cinematographer does a decent job. Casting is good.

In such a movie the end is a foregone conclusion, its how the end is achieved that matters. This particular movie is nonsensical and if you decide to watch it, do it without using brain.

Watch it,  forget it or give it a miss.