| €uroMeinke |
09-15-2008 08:34 PM |
So in furthering our education ion Bollywood, we saw Partners last night. This film came highly recommended by the diminutive Islamic woman in a Sari Shop, who insisted that we had to have both the DVD and CD when we asked for some recommendations. Needless to say, we took her advice.
Now, part of the fun of Bollywood films is the element of kitsch shared by home-grown musicals in simply fitting music and ance numbers into the storyline. This one of course, delivered that - and more. I would have never expected a Latin Dance number, spiced up with Spanish phrases, bolero hats, and mariachi fringe - but there it was.
Still this film about a "love guru" helping men marry the girls of their dreams caught me completely off guard with odd sub plots that resulted in Mob bosses being pissed on by little boys, or the guided missle jet ski chase. I have to say, this film had me say "wow" on several occasion as I gazed in wonder how they worked this all into the plot.
Of course the other fun, is seeing the cultural differences played out. There is a certain innocent that harken back to the old school Hollywood musicals, as well as clcihéd stereotypes also not seen since that era, mocking Chinamen, British Colonials, and of course, the over the top effeminate and presumed gay wedding planner. All the more amusing when compared to the ripped leading man, whose house is filled with poster sized images of himself, usually bare chested - manly, but certianly not gay - uh huh, just like those Hollywood hunks of days gone by. In any event it seems every bollywood film at some point has it's leading man emerge from a body of water, ripping off his shirt to reveal his dripping built torso.
The language is alos fun, the mix of English and whatever Indian language the films are produced in where we learn that Sh*t Man means "Oh No" in the land of subtitles.
Anyway, Partners deleivered and now I have a new set of private ear worms to enjoy.
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