Customer Reviews

Black

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a Southasian film nut...this is no Bollywood film. This is one of the best films to come out of India. It is Cinematically one of the best films made in a very long time.
It would be silly to suggest that one should not see the immediate reference to the Miracle Worker - Helen Keller's story...but one should definately be pleased with the creative departure taken by the writer and director of this great film, to go beyond and tell a deeper story. Expression is the key to this story and how Michelle is able to express her feelings both happy and sad, her angst both deep and low, her frustration high and tense is amazingly beautiful to watch. Some people I know who can speak, hear and see don'thave such an ability.
The relationship between Michelle and her Teacher is so close and so intimate she can see and hear him and he can hear her...without a single word being exchanged. I love this story as it develops. Where the teacher initially reaches in to pull Michelle out of her darkness, in the end Michelle will reach in to pull him out. I don't want to say more than that because it would spoil the story. See this movie if you can get your hands on it. The actors are wonderful and add the special touch to making this one of my favorite movies of all time.

I'm as mentally tough and emotionally stunted as they come. I use humor or some other mechanism to avoid feeling a genuine emotion when watching films. I watched "Black" alone late at night. At one point in the second half of the film I said out loud softly, "Oh, my, god" and broke down with no one there to see me. It was real. I watched it again the following evening with my wife who was seeing it for the first time. She started crying way before it did, the wimp.

When watching this film one will realize that (except for one important moment) sometimes the characters express things out loud knowing full well that Michelle cannot hear. This is done so you know what the characters are thinking. Also there is communication directly with Michelle by the characters (aside from what is said during signing) where the labor of communication is abbreviated and Michelle understands. This is a skillfully used mechanism to enhance the flow of the film. Bravo, Rani! Bravo Amitabh! Bravo Ayesha and everyone else who had anything to do with the making of this amazing film.

This film demonstrates Indian movies at its best. The theme is painful, a blind-deaf girl. But this films goes a long way above the American "The Miracle Worker". This is truly a masterpiece. The setting, the music, the performances undoubtly deserve an Oscar. Both actresses who play the child and adult girl and her teacher (Amithab Bachchan) performances are so moving, combining violent and tender scenes that no words could describe their talent. Each nuance in this delicate film is superb. It is one of the most outstanding masterpieces in film I've ever seen.

The movie is beautifully made and the story is interesting and full of emotional content. The acting can be so convincing that one wonders if the main character is acting or if she actually suffers from the portrayed condition. The only problem is the quality of the translation in the subtitles, although I can only speak for the Spanish version which is the one I used.
All in all, this is definitely a film I recommend strongly to anyone.

This film will leave you breathless. Although some may inadvertently, or consciously even, pass it over thinking it is another take on the Helen Keller story, you will be left moved. The brilliant acting, direction, and shots of the characters will stay with you for a long time.

I highly recommend the soundtrack which is available on the two-disc set. The soundtrack will haunt you; settling in the joy that is within all of us.

If this is your first trip to Bollywood, I wish you well, and know you will be touched, longing to return. This is a perfect first film to be introduced to the actors whom you may then choose to see in their other films.

No American production has even come close to exposing you to this purely raw and brilliant acting; touching you merely by exposing the recognition in each of the characters, invoking empathy, as we all have had people in our lives with qualities that are portrayed by each actor in this film.

The cinematography, both long shot and in the character involved close-up scenes, will leave you weak in the knees.

An excellent movie I should have purchased this long ago. My daughter & I both like Indian movies which she first brought one to my attention. No doubt that it is so similar to the "Helen Keller" story but what I find and like Indians movies add something extra to stories that are similar to others. I always find an unexpected surprise or a little different twist to those stories. I think this is why I keep watching Indian movies.
The two main actors are great but Rani Murkerjee just out did herself in this one. From the first time watching her in a movie I liked her from the start. I will buy most movies she is in and I have. I know of the many known bigwig Indian actors I like them as well. Ms. Rani Murkerjee is truly a wonderful actress in my view and can handle her business.

Bought it for a friend in US, a first bollywood film for her.
One of the best from the best director with one of the greatest actors ever. Most probably Amitabh Bachchan's finest performance and I'm sure he'd agree. No singing or dancing in this one but a well directed, acted and scripted film. Even the musical score is brilliant.

Would recommend this to newbies and veterans of Bollywood, although I doubt some of the elder generation will appreciate this as they will call it an 'art' film (no singing or dancing).

The young girl in it is unbelievably good, I'm sure she has a bright future.

The only down side is some of the translation into English is not always spot on, a problem with most Bollywood films but it will not distract you from the fine film - so buy it.

this is one of the most beautiful and inspiring movie that I saw lately. I highly recommend it!