Gandu (2010)
As far I've seen Bengali films, I think this is the 1st ever attempt by a Bengali filmmaker to enroll the 'Bangla cinema' into the exploitation genre of movies that has passed its golden era in European, American & Asian (Japanese) film-circle between late 60s to 70s. The abusive & raw nature in dialogs or character attributes with the backdrop of a gritty lifestyle or dark realism as well as use of explicit sex & violence to manipulate/force or more precisely exploit the viewers to 'taste & feel' the vicious & darkest corner of life...are some basic features in any exploitation movie. And on that ground, GANDU succeeds moderately, IMO. The problem is GANDU is a little exploitation drama that comes with an art house treatment all over. As they have dared to break some boundaries for Bengali cinema, particularly regarding sex and the form & mood of dialogs, lyrics & characters, I think it'd be better to work with a little bit of more drama and a complete story. The film begins with all the frustration, anger & helplessness of poor 'talented' Gandu and it even ends with those same things. Meantime, the viewers become part of Gandu's acid trip which results those delusions of winning a lottery ticket, getting offer from a band and even that 'colorful' explicit sex scene. The cast delivered overall a pretty convincing as well as daring performances, quite worth to check out. Even the characters were interesting & had some great potential to offer something truly memorable but the film suffers for its inconsistent, vague & repetitive storyline; probably due to its excessive art-film approach. The masturbation, sex scenes & the songs added some shock value, which is new & 'exciting' for a Bangla movie & I guess most of the viewers will remember GANDU for those elements only, not for the characters or a story. Too much close up shots & fragmented scenes kinda ruined the mood of watching a sensible movie. I was expecting to join with Gandu & his Bruce Lee fan-friend Ricksha (my favorite character in the movie) in a 'real life' feel crazy ride (not a acid trip) that might go either way...a rise or more downfalls for Gandu. But neither happened & left me frustrated for a 'story'; not a portrayal of a lost youth who is desperately trying to find & prove himself in surroundings that's filled with financial & sexual deprivation in almost every corner of a 'colorless' world.
>>: B