Movie Review: Awara

I have seen three movies today and have time to squeeze in one more. I added the run time of all these movies it turned out to be a staggering 12 hours. One of them was "Lawrence of Arabia". What a way to spend the Sunday, huh?

But when the movies are good how can I complain? Of the three I have seen so far I have liked 'Awara' the most. Okay! Agreed I am Indian and can identify more with my world. No questioning loyalties here.

This film was made in 1951. Keeping that in mind I have to mention things that surprise me old movies like this, 'Pyaasa', 'Kaagaz Ke Phool', 'Devdas' etc. are:

1. The story makes compelling viewing even today. While watching 'Awara' not once do we get a feeling that we are watching a dated story. That's the power of cinema that deals with human emotions. These emotions don't change!

2. Rita is a modern woman even by today's standards. She has a career ahead, has a head of her own with a heart in the right place. Very good performance by Nargis. Very pretty too.

3. See her in a swimsuit and then speak of all the hype about Bipasha Basu in 'Dhoom 2'. The scenes were cleanly done in this movie. It was shot naturally. I mean swimming in a swimsuit is natural. It need not be highlighted with close-up views of flesh! It is our thoughts that have changed. That too for the worse.

Particularly to this movie:

1. Apart from one song, the title track, I didn't like the rest. This is unusual as I have enjoyed the music in all RK films.

2. All three Kapoors have acted well.

3. Nargis is great!

4. The story is comparable to 'Pyaasa'. Even though the outline plot has been beaten to death the things in between have been well managed. For example, the way Jagga is got rid of, the case that is fought, how Raj transforms. Raj actually transforms twice, maybe more, wants to be good, steals the necklace, wants to be good again, murders Jagga and is ready to murder his father. I liked it.

Great movie! Better than what I expected for sure.

RATING: 4/5