Quote:
Originally Posted by iScottie
The first film I watched was the 1958 drama, The Music Room. I did not go into the film with too high of expectations, despite only hearing positive things about this one. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it to the degree that I had hoped that I would. I do not think that there was anything wrong with the film per say. I just found it to be okay - nothing more, nothing less. Perhaps some of my criticism stems from my ignorance of the Indian culture, but one of the main things that turned me off from the film was the key part of the film - the music. I was never the biggest fan of Indian music, but I was willing to overlook this as I watched the film. Music is, after all, the one thing that makes and ultimately breaks this film. What I found was that much of the film is composed of long, drawn out scenes from these music rooms. The story felt pretty insignificant to me, in terms of the two main characters, one of an older generation and one of a newer generation, trying to one up the other. I thought the ending was nice, though, and brought the film to a solid conclusion, especially because Lord Roy was a changed man by the end. Unfortunately, I just can't overlook everything that transpired in between.
|
You seem to have missed a lot of the depth and universal truths in Ray's narrative that make it one of the most significant and timelessly relevant films ever made (in my opinion).
I think it is important to realize one does not need to be versed in Indian culture, or a fan of Indian music, to appreciate the genius of this film.
I know, because two years ago, I was a initially a big sceptic about blind buying - or even renting -
The Music Room. All I knew about it was what I could find on YouTube. I found three clips, all focused on the three performances that take place in the music room during the course of the film. I thought the singing on display in two of these performances was really dreadful. No way I was going to watch this, I thought. But there was enough praise for the film that I decided to take a chance (thanks, SpiderBaby!). I had never seen a Satyajit Ray movie.
I am so glad I blind bought
The Music Room. It is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of the
Criterion Collection. Not only is the film's restoration a marvel to behold, the story is compelling and the acting superb. It is a tale of sacrifice with little hope of redemption; about how a vain, proud Bengali zamindar (a land holding aristocrat) remains willfully oblivious while his land - the source of his wealth - falls into neglectful decay. Because of this lack of investment, his income is shrinking in a steady downward spiral, yet he "fiddles while Rome burns" and maintains his haughty airs, especially toward an upstart commoner, a business man who is a new neighbor. Blood triumphs above all, in the zamindar's world view. The business man is not shy about using his new riches to celebrate in a princely style. The difference between them is that the commoner is more judicious about his wealth. He is a bit of an uncouth slob, but he is shrewd and works extremely hard. The reward is that the business man's wealth is growing and his world looks to the future, while the aristocrat's world is a relic of the past that is no longer sustainable.
There are many memorable scenes in this film. One of the most poignant makes the viewer realize that the uncultured and illiterate peasants and town dwellers do not value the new self-made status of the business man, who is closer to them in social origin, as much as they value the old traditions of homage to the princes. We get a strong sense that this, too, must pass away for India to fulfill her destiny.
The black and white PQ is luminous, possibly one of the most astonishing restorations I have ever seen. As for my take on the music in the film itself, the soundtrack outside of the set piece music room performances is outstanding. There are passages where the music adds a real emotional element to the visuals on the screen. However, after watching the movie several times, my views toward the singing displayed by the first two performers in the music room itself have not changed since I first experienced them in YouTube clips. I cannot stand it. Especially the second performer, the old man with the enormous beard, who at one point sounds like a cat being strangled. I did find the third performance, that of the energetic kathar dancer, to be mesmerizing and I enjoy watching it.
It is a testament to the power and brilliance of this film that I can overlook a relatively small film element that I greatly dislike, to write glowing praises about what Ray created.
The Music Room is great stuff, and I highly recommend it.
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Linear Mode
