Black - a review

Cinema equals escapism for most film-makers. Some, however, know that cinema is a medium for visual expression. And these film-makers give us movies that speak to us through that medium. And then, there are rare souls who consider cinema as an art-form and create stunning works of art that make you want to stand up and applaud.

With ‘Black’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali attempts to recast himself into one of those rare souls. And to his credit, he succeeds. ‘Black’ is like a master artist’s first masterpiece… maybe not yet perfect, but getting there!

Do not let the title, ‘Black’, mislead you into conjuring up notions of a morose, painful film about disabilities. Far from it, the movie is all about perseverence, belief, hope and dignity. Rather than a negative, melancholy strain that this movie could’ve degenerated into, a positive note rings clearly through the narrative and performances.

Basically, ‘Black’ is a simple story of a blind and deaf girl Michelle McNally who learns to live and enjoy life through the relentless and selfless efforts of her teacher, Debraj Sahai.

As a kid, Michelle is like an animal, uncouth and wild. Her parents engage the services of a teacher, past his prime… headstrong and arrogant. Debraj Sahai takes up the seemingly impossible task of leading this blind girl into light and knowledge. And the rest of the film forms the single-minded journey to that end - a journey that threatens to end before it even begins… a journey that looks impossible in the eye and continues unshaken… a journey that transforms not only the student, but also the teacher.

As I mentioned earlier, a simple story! But what sets it apart from the flock and in fact raises it miles above the rest are the mind-blowing performances. Cinema at its very best, I can now say, is all about individuals who rise way above themselves.

Nine year-old Ayesha Kapur plays the younger Michelle. And it is impossible to believe that this is her first effort! She gives in a performance that would shame some of today’s so-called thespians. Some of her scenes to look out for: when she’s playing with a doll with her little sister, Sarah, in a cradle… when her teacher takes charge of her in her father’s study… when she has a moment of epiphany in the fountain, etc. This little one rocks!

Rani Mukherji gives in what is unarguably the best performance of her career. Her portrayal of Michelle McNally is near faultless. She underlines the fact that a good performance has no inverse relationship with the amount of clothing one wears or a direct relationship with the number of layers of make-up one dons. Her hard-work in preparing for the role pays off rich dividends. Chalk this one up for the best actress award in whichever award function this movie enters in the country!

Amitabh Bachchan is something else altogether. Under Bhansali’s direction, the Big B delivers a stupendous performance that reaches the rarefied heights that most good actors can only dream of achieving. As Debraj Sahai, Amitabh has reached the pinnacle of acting. I wonder if it is even possible for him to match this performance in the future, much less surpass it! From a brooding and eccentric alcoholic to a teacher possessed by a single-minded obsession to fill his pupil with hope and dignity, and then on to a geriatric wrecked by Alzheimer’s… Mr. Bachchan does it all! Like I mentioned to a friend after seeing ‘Black’, Amitabh Bachchan is god!

It would be gross injustice to not mention the tremendous contributions by Shernaz Patel (as Michelle’s caring mom), Dhritiman Chaterji (as Michelle’s stern dad) and Nandana Sen (as Michelle’s loving but slightly jealous younger sister). Their roles are very well etched out, unlike most films which give a raw deal to the supporting cast. And these fine actors excel famously in those roles!

Technically, the film is superior and exudes class in each frame. The camera-work is slick, the editing slicker! The background score is rich and fits right into the mood created by the impressive sets.

Clearly, ‘Black’ is aimed at the discerning movie-goer. The non-existence of songs/dances, the very ‘propah’ colonial feel to this period piece (it is set in a 1940s’ Shimla) and the liberal use of English throughout the film are clear indications that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is not hankering after box-office collections throughout India. I believe that this is destined for the Oscars next year. And in the meanwhile, it will undoubtedly pick up a lot many awards in India and abroad.

It is somewhat of a cliché to say ‘Black is beautiful’. That may be so… but having experienced this brilliant piece of art that belongs as much to the artist as to the characters he has painted with a palette of black and greys, I can say without appearing to be repetitive and clichéed…

‘Black’ is beautiful!!