English Vinglish (2012)

Years ago I read an article in a news paper which said, that although there is cricket in it yet Lagaan is not a sports film, although there are British in this pre independent era movie yet it is not a freedom struggle movie, although there is one hero and two heroines in the movie, yet it is not a romantic movie. So what kind of movie is Lagaan? I believe it is a movie about the sheer courage and determination of people who stood against the improbable and won anyway.

English Vinglish is no Lagaan, still I compared the two because just like Lagaan, English Vinglish has a camouflage over its core sense, from outside it looks like a women oriented movie, but it is not, it is again a movie about the determination of a lady who succeeds in achieving her goal against all odds, to gain respect of her family. And when I say it is not a woman oriented story, what I actually mean is that you can actually put a male character as lead character against the female one, and still you can tell this story with the same sensibility.

To say that it is not a routine movie would be an understatement, it is a beautiful feel good movie which makes you fell good about yourself. I had expectations from the move right from the start as the movie was been directed by Gauri Shinde, who is wife of hugely talented R.Balki (Cheeni Kum, Paa). Here I want to say that I can’t ignore the commonalities in the style of both film makers, firstly, the characters are not melodramatic and very practical most of the times, and secondly the lighter way in which all the above mentioned movies have been picturised.

Having said all that, one thing remains unstated still undoubted that Sridevi is the body and the soul of this movie, the ease with which she has portrayed the character is amazing, you never fell that she has not acted in years. Her performance is top notch and flawless. The supporting cast has done good work as well, be it the Indian actors or the foreign ones.

The story of the movie could be told in two lines, but it is the screenplay that holds it in every frame. The movie is a fine balance of humor, emotions and content.

It is must watch for all young and old alike. Go for this one.

Rating ****