I have been waiting for 'Q' to talk about this movie. There is nothing outstanding about Kangana Ranaut starrer Queen, and that is what makes the movie work. The movie is not only for feminists, it is for everyone and for all ages. By now everyone knows that the movie is about a girl jilted at the alter and how she takes off alone to her honeymoon. Some call it a coming off age movie and the movie is exactly that, to a certain extent. For me, the movie was something that would make people believe in themselves. No matter how young or old, no matter educated or not. The movie mainly works because of its supporting characters and not the protagonist alone. The cast adds the necessary drama and humor to every frame, especially Rani's brother and father. This is not a review, it is a celebration. Queen undoubtedly is one of the best movies I have seen in a really long time. Bollywood and other languages included.
My pointers from the movie:
~ Lisa Haydon. She was brilliant and is the second best thing in the movie. The ease with which she portrays the role of a single mother, having random sex with her boy friends is something out of this world.
~ Rani's character. She travels from India to an unknown country, but she is not shown as a village belle. She knows English and is willing to eat the monstrous fish that she mistakenly orders. She is not shocked by Vijaylakshmi's lifestyle or by people kissing on the streets. She is totally fine with it. Reminds us that she is well educated too, but is not allowed to work by her ex-fiance.
~ I loved the way how the mehendi in Rani's hands fade as she discovers herself and lets go of her past.
~ The scene in which she stands up on stage for the 'Hungama' track. Her facial expressions as she dances is mind blowing. This, to me, defined freedom.
~ The scene in which she tries to run away from the Eiffel Tower is a beauty too. Running away never helps she learnt.
~ She makes friends with different sets of people, without judging any of them. She even stays with three men in a single room without an element of sex or anything vulgar included. Wow.
~ I felt that the gol-gappa scene was a little over the top. Too bollywoodish.
~ The scene in which she meets her ex-fiance and talks to him casually about his shirt. That shows that she still has not forgotten him, for what so ever reasons.
~ Her innocence as she picks up gifts for her parents from the sex toys shop is worth applauding. The scene shows simplicity and this is what is exactly called innocence and not ignorance.
~ She does not turn into someone modern and stylish. She remains her conservative self but tastes freedom in her own way. High point of the movie.
~ The last scene when she hugs him and thanks him for helping her discover herself. Her gait shows confidence and lets the audience know that she has found herself.
~ However the best part of the movie remains that it was not too melodramatic or tear jerking. Nobody makes her feel like her life is over or that she is jinxed. They all support her in what ever she wants to do. This is exactly what a family is expected to do.
It is just the beginning of the year and a lot more movies are to come, but Queen has definitely made a place for itself in my heart.
~ Soumya
The script rocked - the subtle touches... remember in the hungama scene where like the others she too takes off her cardigan, waves it in the air but then stuffs it back into her bag? That for me was fantastic. And she does it unapologetically.. like it were a part of her act. Superb
ReplyDeleteYeah that was the best part of that scene. So middle class, so natural. Fantastic indeed.
DeleteBest movie I have seen in a long time.
What a movie this was ... truly brilliant :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! :)
Deletei think most beautiful part of this movie was its innocence and simplicity which is very rare to be seen in dramatic hindi films,loved your take on movie....
ReplyDeletep.s i am your new follower :)
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Queen was absolutely amazing. I wanted to write about it too but just thought of writing something off-track.
ReplyDeleteKangana was fabulous with her portrayal of Rani. Her dialogues, her simplicity, her emotions ... it was all so endearing. This is the kind of movie I can watch again and again and again.
Me too! :)
DeleteI now feel like watchingit for the third time!
ReplyDeleteGo ahead!
DeleteSo very true.. Each scene was played again in my head.
ReplyDeleteI Loved the movie. :D
Woww.. So justifying post.. Loved the movie.. And your post too! "Running away never helps" was the best line you used!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Preeti! :)
DeleteI wanna watch the movie now!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou haven't seen it yet!? :O
DeleteNo.. College- assignments, labs, projects and exams! :(
DeleteOops! Watch it as soon as your exams get over!
DeleteSure Soumya :)
DeleteI want to watch the movie too ..dont know when I will be lucky enough for that, though !
ReplyDeleteGo download it NOW!!!
Deletethere are so many take aways from the movie....i haven't seen the movie yet but have been hearing how good it is....and now when i see it after reading this post, im sure i will look at it differently!
ReplyDeletePlease go watch it! Like immediately.
DeleteI haven't yet watched it but will do soon.
ReplyDelete"She does not turn into someone modern and stylish. She remains her conservative self but tastes freedom in her own way. High point of the movie."
This one point hits the nail for me while the others are inspiring me as well to watch the movie.
Please watch it ASAP. You will not be disappointed.
DeleteMy friend was bugging me from a week to watch this movie as she felt its good but i wasnt sure! maybe aftr reading this post, i will watch it :-D she wont bcum stylish n retains her identity.. thats d thing dat gave me d push i needed to watch it
ReplyDeleteYou should watch it! Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteI have not seen the movie yet but everyone around me applaud and praise it... So I guess I must see it probably after the exams... Or I would have to wait for it to come on tv...
ReplyDeleteBut I am not a big Kangana fan and don't really like her movies that much... I guess this might turn out as an exception!
I wasn't a fan too, until I saw this one :)
DeleteWatch it, I'm sure you will like it!
I have watched it twice and I can watch it again! xD
ReplyDeleteThat particular scene which Sri wrote about, oh, it touched me. It was so real!!! Had I been in her shoes I would've done the exact same thing. Haha.. dance to hota rahega, cardigan ko bag mein rakhlo pehle.
Hahaha that was so innocent and sweet! :)
DeleteI haven't watched this movie yet though I have been dying to.. I think I should do it soon :)
ReplyDeleteOh you should. Very soon :)
DeleteI have heard SO many good things about the movie but I didn't get to see it :( Off to check downloads now.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen it yet! :O
DeleteGo, download now. Right now.