Barfi !

My review:  Barfi !

Anurag Basu's "Barfi !" is as crunchy & tasty as the name suggests. When one come across movies with people with functional impairment as its protagonists they are usually a tear-jerkers dealing with their grim lives in the name of reality. "Barfi !" too is realistic (the portrayal of Autistic character is close to reality with some cinematic liberties that are excusable) but shows them in a refreshing light. That doesn't mean that it is superficial , it has heart & emotions are genuine.

Anurag Basu shines both as the writer as well as the director. Though the movie moves at its own pace there are very few dull moments. Humour works very well. Though it is mostly slapstick , almost Chaplinesque , most of them are enjoyable. Whether intended or not , movie come across as a homage to all those Charlie Chaplin ( may be also Raj Kapoor )movies of the yore . Especially the manner in which there is underlay of humour even in the emotionally charged sequences , movie reminds one of many such sequences in Chaplin movies.

There are numerous memorable scenes. Few which warrant mention include Rupa Ganguly's discourse about futility of love to Ileana , Ranbir's outburst after seeing Ileana with her fiancee , the manner in which Priyanka tries to show to Ileana that Ranbir is her's towards the end .

"Barfi" is a visual movie. There are not much dialogues in the movie. Two of the lead three don't talk at all . Yet all their emotions are conveyed to the viewers without much problem .It is a huge relief that there is no one trying to translate & spoon-feed to the viewers whenever Ranbir communicates by sign language..! Wonder how much of impact it would have made if the makers have made it as a silent movie. My guess is it would have been a wonderful celebration of cinema as a visual medium.

Ranbir Kapoor is excellent as a sprightly young man. Body language which is very vital for this role is aptly done by him. Be it in the slapstick comical sequences , or as a charmer or as a carer or in the sentimental sequences , his body language & emotive skills are first rate. There is no other actress in Bollywood currently who would have done the role of Jhilmil better than Priyanka Chopra. Except for the last few sequences where she gets a bit dramatic , she portrays autistic girl with aplomb. She gets her body language , hand movements & lip movements almost perfect.

Ileana looks best in this movie. She has done her part well too. Only glitch is  her make-up , not many in their 60's would have pimples ! Saurabh Shukla is brilliant. Without him none of those comical sequences would have created the impact they have. Ashish Vidhyarthi & Rupa Ganguly offer adequate support.

Pritam's music also pays homage to Chaplin movies & is apt. "Aashiyan" , " Phir le aaya dhil " , "Main kya karoon" are all delectable melodies.

Another hero of the movie is Ravi Varma. His cinematography is excellent. The natural bounty of Darjeeling & Pollachi are captured well as does the busy streets of Kolkatta.

On the whole, "Barfi !" is a heartwarming tale , well written , brilliantly enacted & excellently executed.

Bottomline: Celebration of cinema as a visual medium.

3.5/5