Finding Fanny Fernandez

Rating: 4 / 5

I’m not a person who regularly goes and watches movies produced by anyone remotely related to Bollywood. But since Being Cyrus (and Cocktail being a momentary blip), I have the utmost respect for Homi Adajania. And Finding Fanny is a ray of sunshine in this dark time (according to me), for Hindi cinema. Even though I watched the English version, it is still a Bollywood movie.

Though I would like to clarify that it is not like any other Bollywood movie I’ve ever seen. It is beautiful, funny in ways that Bollywood directors would not understand and sensible enough to realize the flow of the movie. Finding Fanny is a movie about, well, finding Fanny. Better known as Stefanie Fernandez. The quirky journey, which brings out aspects of all the characters, covers almost the full movie. The ensemble cast is phenomenal with the older actors doing brilliantly to outshine Padukone and Kapoor.

A warning to anyone who enjoys the kind of humour Bollywood churns out. This movie is not for you. Watch it if you want, but don’t curse because you don’t understand it. For one thing, fans of Bollywood will feel when the Interval arrives just 45-50 minutes into the movie. The film drifts along at its own pace, headed without much direction, but with every visual meant to please your eyes. Padukone looks stunning throughout the movie, Gareebon Ka Wolverine (thanks AIB) looks rakish, as he is supposed to. The funniest part of the movie is the cat’s storyline, which might be the only redeeming factor for most people. But the fact that Adajania has made Finding Fanny look as beautiful as, say, the ridiculously expensive Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara at less than half that film’s budget is credible. Goa, even without the beaches, has never looked more stunning.

Having said that, Finding Fanny is not even half as quirky as Adajania’s directorial debut, Being Cyrus. It is still a fun watch, maybe a one-time watch for most people. But I promise you, you will leave the cinema hall with a smile on your face. This review contains absolutely nothing that will spoil your first watch of the movie. But please, do not miss Finding Fanny and Adajania’s quirky look at life in rural Goa.

P.S. How did I ever forget the soundtrack? It is beautiful beyond comparison. Such a breath of fresh air to not see people dancing around on screen and tons of background dancers assisting them. Inspite of the absence of typical Bollywood music, this movie is stunning. Go figure.

Nebraska

I was sitting idle today afternoon, dreading my exams, which start in exactly a week, but still doing nothing to remedy my lack of preparation. I also have a research paper due on Wednesday, and I haven’t even started compiling the data for that.

I got a Whatsapp message from my cousin then with just the following: “Nebraska?” Knowing him, and knowing his habit of asking me to movies which his wife won’t go to, I checked BookMyShow to see if Nebraska was playing in cinema halls nearby. I immediately replied in the positive, knowing it was an Academy Award-nominated movie (not that I trusted the Academy).

On the way to PVR Oberoi, I told him I would kill him if it was as bad as American Hustle (this is why I don’t trust the Academy, besides Slumdog Millionaire). He thought it might be, but we went in with a positive mindset. I had had a good, heavy lunch in case it turned out to be a snoozefest like AH. How wrong was I?!

Nebraska is a beautiful movie. Beautiful in a way Bollywood movie-goers can only dream of. Beautiful in a way no Oscar-nominated movie measures up to. The story didn’t blow my brains out, nor did it make me sit at the edge of my seat perplexed. The people deciding on Oscar nominations got it spot-on when they nominated this movie.

The story just flowed superbly, along with the effortless, brilliant soundtrack. A tip of the hat to Mark Orton, for the music. And having never watched a movie by Alexander Payne before, I’m certainly going to snap to attention and watch some more. The monochromatic cinematography adds rather than takes away from the story.

Oh, and the cast! In a movie where the focus is on Will Forte as David Grant and Bruce Dern as Woody Grant, both of whom have performed brilliantly, June Squibb in her role as Kate Grant takes the cake! Special mention to Devin Ratray, Bob Odenkirk (yes, the despicable lawyer from Breaking Bad!), Tim Driscoll and Stacy Keach for portraying their roles wonderfully.

Don’t expect the story to be phenomenal, but expect it to be one of those stories which drags you into the life of an ordinary American guy with ageing parents, and the film portrays it exceptionally. A lot of laughs along the way, specifically from June Squibb, Bruce Dern, Devin Ratray and Tim Driscoll. A lot of scenarios you can relate to, and a whole lot of fun in general.

Very few shows in very few cinemas in Bombay. If you can, go and watch it! Loved it. One of the best films I’ve seen in recent times. Also a wonderful portrayal of the Mid-West. I shan’t reveal any more to you, just go and watch the movie. Nebraska also has an abundance of messages, most of which are humbling.

It has some good songs like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS9zCAKGxRU