Black

Hello everyone,

If any of you are movie buffs and especially Indian movies you must try and watch "Black". I love the movies, I watch more English than Hindi, but I enjoy both. I can watch anything really from ridiculous teeny bopper films, to horror, to drama, british comedy, govinda dancing in psychedelic clothes, epic sagas, etc. 'Black' is a movie that anyone can watch. Yes, even you Ralph and Joanna.

It's based on the story of Helen Keller, who is perhaps one of the most famous examples of the determination and resilience of the human spirit. The story of Michelle, the main character in 'Black', is almost identical to Helen's story, but there is a twist and several other aspects are focused on, that make the movie different. It is beautifully made and incredibly moving. Ann Sullivan, Helen's legendary teacher who helped her "see the light" is interestly transformed in "Black" into an alcoholic, passionate, yet extremely eccentric, formerly blind, teacher played by arguably the most famous Indian actor, Amitabh Bacchan. His characteristic smooth baritone voice and his physical height lend itself wonderfully to the role, which demanded a commanding and authoritative figure to tame the rebellious Michelle and ignite the spark of learning in her. Mr. Sahai (Bacchan) is hired by the McNelly (I think it's McNelly's!!) family in Shimla to teach their daughter, Michelle, who is blind, deaf, and resultantly mute. The McNelly's are a wealthy Anglo Indian family who may have all the material riches, but are extremely troubled by their wild and untameable Michelle. Ayesha Kapoor, plays Michelle as a young child, who thrashes around the house wildly, slaps, kicks, screams, and throwns tantrums, sets the house on fire, and throws her baby sister out of the cradle! This fiend, however, can hardly be blamed as no one has ever attempted to disciplining her as her physical handicaps are blamed for her being the way she is. Enter Amitabh Bacchan, the "magician", who believes that Michelle's physical handicaps are in no ways an impediment to her living an extremely normal life with dignity and pride. There begins a journey, which starts of very violently as both are extremely stubborn in spirit, but gradually turns into a beautiful relationship where he teaches her to learn and grow and become independent.

All the characters are played to perfection by an assortment of gifted actors, and Rani Mukherjee, as the older Michelle, is fantastic. I won't reveal more about the movie. Anyone can watch it since a lot of the script is in English and actually most of the movie is understandable simply because it is the actions that have more meaning! It's not a very 'arty' movie, if what you associate with 'arty' is dull and slow and heavy. Even though this deals with a serious theme, it is still very absorbing, inspiring, and yes, uplifting!