UMRAO JAAN
UMRAO JAAN (2006)
April 15 2007, DVD, Myrlin & Jeremy's place
Apparently, this story has been filmed before (an adaptation of the novel Umrao Jaan Ada), and this is a remake, or an update, or a flimsy excuse to put Ashwariya Rai in gorgeous period costume. Like I'd complain about that. Ash Rai is the most beautiful woman alive (in my opinion, of course) - she's not the greatest dancer, or the most charismatic, or the most sexy, or whatever, but the sight of her strikes me dumb and makes my heart sing. I LOVE HER. And she's really great in UMRAO JAAN. Her dancing is pretty good, and she gets a chance to be spunky and adorable as well as overwhelmingly melancholy and sad and eyes-brimming-with-tears and all that good stuff. Mostly, of course, it's the latter, as it's a Bollywood historical about a courtesan. You know that can't end well.
It's also got Abishek Bachchan, son of the incomparable Amitabh, and Ash's new husband(to-be: are they married yet? Oh my God, the drama behind that whole thing is worthy of its own movie!) who is possessed of a laser-intensity stare which is frankly creepy, but kind of hot, too (the Zachary Quinto-as-Sylar school of sexy, really). Also featured is Sunil Shetty, who is foxy, but not particularly memorable. I've been spoiled with the dessert-first of Shah Ruhk Khan and Salman Khan, and though I kind of regret starting out with the ultimate hotness, I'm grateful for their beauty dragging me kicking and screaming into Bollywood fandom.
Sure, it's no DEVDAS, but nothing can be as great as DEVDAS (again, don't beat me, it's just my opinion). Still, the songs are good, the tone is dreamy and slow and romantic, and it's amazingly gorgeous. Definitely enjoyable and worth seeing again.
April 15 2007, DVD, Myrlin & Jeremy's place
Apparently, this story has been filmed before (an adaptation of the novel Umrao Jaan Ada), and this is a remake, or an update, or a flimsy excuse to put Ashwariya Rai in gorgeous period costume. Like I'd complain about that. Ash Rai is the most beautiful woman alive (in my opinion, of course) - she's not the greatest dancer, or the most charismatic, or the most sexy, or whatever, but the sight of her strikes me dumb and makes my heart sing. I LOVE HER. And she's really great in UMRAO JAAN. Her dancing is pretty good, and she gets a chance to be spunky and adorable as well as overwhelmingly melancholy and sad and eyes-brimming-with-tears and all that good stuff. Mostly, of course, it's the latter, as it's a Bollywood historical about a courtesan. You know that can't end well.
It's also got Abishek Bachchan, son of the incomparable Amitabh, and Ash's new husband(to-be: are they married yet? Oh my God, the drama behind that whole thing is worthy of its own movie!) who is possessed of a laser-intensity stare which is frankly creepy, but kind of hot, too (the Zachary Quinto-as-Sylar school of sexy, really). Also featured is Sunil Shetty, who is foxy, but not particularly memorable. I've been spoiled with the dessert-first of Shah Ruhk Khan and Salman Khan, and though I kind of regret starting out with the ultimate hotness, I'm grateful for their beauty dragging me kicking and screaming into Bollywood fandom.
Sure, it's no DEVDAS, but nothing can be as great as DEVDAS (again, don't beat me, it's just my opinion). Still, the songs are good, the tone is dreamy and slow and romantic, and it's amazingly gorgeous. Definitely enjoyable and worth seeing again.