A Death In the Gunj (2017)

A Death In The Gunj

                                                          

Film is an art form, one that is surely made to be enjoyed but it is also an art form which can be observed and analysed for seeing the things that can't be seen through the common eyes. Films are an art form like no other if done right. A well done movies bring characters and their worlds into fully realized realities.A movie not only caters to people who have a strong liking for escapism but it also can cater to people who seek to observe the common yet ignored. Movies can provide a telescope into reality of society and what we really are. Movies let us take a step back and observe the absurd in the simple, and things that might normally go missed.

Films in India haven't been realised as the art form that they are, they are instead chalked full of common denominator movies with mediocre writing, direction, cinematography and pacing. I am an avid watcher of Indian Cinema and appreciate it despite its short comings, I also believe that this industry has a huge potential for great cinema, one of yesteryear with proper story, direction and writing.

I watch a lot of movies. Plenty of them good, plenty of them bad and a lot of them mediocre. Despite watching so many movies each year, I don't always feel so strongly about Indian Cinema. Indian Cinema has never made me feel as some other movies from Hollywood have made me feel.

Now, I don't mean to be biased here, neither do I feel that Hollywood is superior in any manner.

Movies like Gangs Of Wasseypur , October or even more recently movies like Andhadhun have proven that Indian Cinema is indeed capable of excellence, however this excellence is mostly snubbed due to the presence of more commercial movies which cater to the lowest common denominator of film goers.

(Not to criticize such film goers, it's just that sometimes for the change to occur people should support these movies which bring in the change. I do agree that we do need some masala movies as well so that the balance remains)

The problem I think is that not enough people are ready to commit to understanding a movie deeply, people don't like to watch a movie which shows the reality of life or even movies which show the tragedy of life.

That I think is the major reason behind why movies like A Death In the Gunj flop. Even though they are made with more for an eye towards artistic integrity, case in point, A Death In the Gunj had a limited release(which makes sense)With a total collection of just about 1.7 crores, A Death in the Gunj isn't a movie that everyone is going to enjoy, it is certainly not for all. It is an acquired taste as the movie goes through several moments of complete awe and then a climax which you see coming yet seem to completely ignore at the same time.

Most Good movies I see make me feel something, they persuade me to process the movie and let it sink in. A Death In The Gunj is one such movie.

The Story

To give you a summary, the movie is about Shutu,(Vikrant Massey) and his irresponsible new year celebration of 1979 in the Gunj with his obsessively Bengali family which includes his cousin brother Nandu (Gulshan Devaiya) his wife Bonnie and their daughter Tani along with Nandu's close friends Vikram (Ranvir Shorey), his on and off girlfriend Mimi(Kalki) and also Brian (Jim Sarbh).

The story highlights the journey of Shutu from a shy, reclusive boy into a person who is started to detach himself from reality. 

A Coming of age story which is dissolved in poignancy and melancholia, as Shutu tries to really delve into his fall.

The opening scene of the movie shows the Cousin and His friend delivering a body from a morgue to somewhere far while Shutu sits in the car with a face that expresses a feeling of great absence. This scene showcases how the death which will occur later on the movie, as suggested by the title, was of no significance, neither to Nandu, nor to Brian and maybe neither to Shutu either. Atleast that's what the opening suggests but the real punch comes in the climax when what you've hoped for doesn't actually happen. The movie also drives home the feelings of abandonment and being left alone by others whom one might consider as a family.

This movie is a mix of a romance, a friendship between a 23 year old man with his young niece and how relationships aren't just made but need to be cared about and supported over time to prevent mishappenings.

The Movie has sequences which without much dialouge (greatly thankful to the amazing actors) can show what a character feels in the situation and the kind of relationship one has with another. This story is a pretty solid 4.5/5 just for how the movie rounds out each character in this realised world of 1979.

Towards the end the movie really does drop you at the deep end as you stare at the screen numb, processing what you just witnessed.

The Direction

Wow. For a debutante director this movie was pure gold. Konkana SenSharma can along with acting also write and direct movies independently . Her debut as a director is that of confidence and competence. One can not just not appreciate the handy work that must have gone behind the camera every single frame.

Even the writing which is supposedly adapted from a short story which was based on a true event is quite well handed as well and I have to Give Props to Konkana Sen for such a beautiful Gem of a movie.

The Starring/Cast

As mentioned before Vikrant Massey completely steals the show in an act which showcases the raged yet shy victimized character of Shutu, always the shadow of his cousin, behind and invisible despite presence. Massey shines in every scene he is in.

Ranvir Shorey along with Tillotama Shome and Kalki all play their part equally well with proper finesse and depth. You know characters in real life who behave like Ranvir's Vikram or can be as desolate from within yet irresponsible as Kalki's Mimi.

The characters are well established and thought out before being casted well and then really well acted.

Also there's Jim Sarbh who wasn't given much unfortunately.

Conclusion:-

A poignant movie which really crushes you from within as you follow Shutu’s coming of age story. Also it’s an A rated movie, so don’t watch it if you’re under 16.

It’s present on Amazon Prime which is really an easy way of acquiring said excellent movie.

Final Rating:- 4/5 (A true cinematic experience)

Next week’s movie is gonna be Tummbad which Ive heard great things about!