Random Thoughts

Movie review: Love, Sex, Aur Dhokha

Must watch

This is one movie, which would set many Indians in a denial mode that is if they care to see the movie in the first place and then there again if they dare to sit through till it ends!

The movie wins accolades on three fronts --- cinema technique, storyline, and acting.

It’s no news anymore that India is one of the fastest growing markets for the digital medium that includes PCs, laptops, web cameras, mobile phones, and security camera systems (close circuit TVs etc). No surprise then that Dibakar Banerjee decides to use this as the medium of his new movie.

And, the results are astounding! The entire movie is presented as if it is shot through some kind of hidden camera, may it be a CCTV or a spy camera or a handheld camera, which remains ON without the knowledge of its prey. With these weapons at disposal, Dibakr and his team with no remorse unveils the ugly face of our society, which we Indians otherwise successfully hide behind the mask of great culture and noble ethics.

The movie is a delight for those who are interested in the camera work. Due to the choice of the shooting medium, the camera sometimes tends to leave the subjects off the frame and this sometimes makes for an amazing shot! For instance, in one of the shots, the camera entirely ignores its talking subjects and focuses on someone who is though a part of the conversation, is hardly interested in talking but more curious to know what’s going on… (the scene where a fisherman argues over his torn net with one of the main characters).

The same choice of medium also lets the camera linger on the face of characters even when they are done with their part of conversation. This long pause technique is actually grueling for actors and tests their true mettle. Actors have to change their expressions based on what they hear from the other talking side (which is almost always invisible to the viewers!).

Not only its choice of medium but its choice of actors also makes LSD a path-breaking movie. All the actors (including the eight main characters) are unknown and most have made their silver screen debut with LSD. I always wondered when would the actors in Indian cinema look like the way I look, the way common Indians look; not the way Greek Gods and Goddesses might have looked! My wait was over when I saw LSD.

The story telling is intriguing and non-linear. In fact the movie ends in the middle of the story! Now how this feat is achieved is a matter to watch… all and all a must watch.

Labels: Movies

posted by Ranjit @ 4/01/2010 01:07:00 pm