Month: January 2024

Categories
General Movies

Movie Review – 12th Fail

“12th Fail” strikes a chord for those drawn to underdog stories and intrigued by the rigorous UPSC exams, which admit only a select few into India’s prestigious Civil Services. While growing up in the 1980s, I had little awareness of UPSC, as my role models, mostly engineers like my father, steered me toward engineering and later an MBA. Writing the UPSC was not on the radar for me. However, as I grew to understand the profound impact of the state and how public policy can shape a country – I have felt that if I could go back all those years, I would have attempted the UPSC.

About UPSC

Today, there are 3 stages of the UPSC exams:

  1. Preliminary Exam(entry level, Objective Test)
  2. Main Exams (subjective, written exam)
  3. Interview

In 2022, around 570,000 people appeared for the 1st stage, around 13,000 got selected for the second stage, and around 2500 were selected for the 3rd Stage. Finally, 933 people were selected for the various Civil Services.

UPSC has been criticized that the best and brightest who get selected are from privileged backgrounds.  Over the years, reforms have been made to address this criticism – one of the key changes has been that the written exams can be taken in one of the several official languages of India and not just in English – though a very small percentage of applicants opt to do so.

The Story

With that background of UPSC, the true story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, on whom, the movie, 12th Fail is based is even more remarkable. Manoj, excellently portrayed by the fine actor Vikrant Massey, is poor and underprivileged and from a village from the Chambal district of Madhya Pradesh. The quality of school education isn’t great and the school encourages students to cheat to clear the important 12th board exams. Manoj is inspired by an honest police officer named Dushyant Singh, who stops the cheating. Manoj and all the other students fail the 12th exam in that year, but in the next year, he doesn’t cheat and just about clears the exam. He decides to become a police officer like Dushyanth.

The rest of the movie is his journey over 4 years in writing the UPSC. The story follows Manoj and how he juggles menial jobs to survive while realizing his dream, with his mentor Gauri Bhayya, friends, and girlfriend Shraddha Joshi’s  support. He writes the exams in the Hindi medium unlike the majority of the candidates who write in English. After every unsuccessful attempt, he needs to find the drive to “restart” as his mentor Gauri puts it. The viewer feels involved in Manoj’s success or failure. As the tension mounts when he goes for the final leg (the interview), silent pauses and the ambient sound makes you hold your breath, too. The movie skilfully addresses pertinent issues, shedding light on the coaching industry’s malpractices, societal privilege within the aspirant pool, and the motives behind political suppression through lack of education.

Overall, ‘12th Fail’ is a must-watch movie that will leave you inspired and motivated. The movie’s direction, screenplay, and acting are top-notch, and the story is relatable and engaging. I do hope to meet the real life Manoj Kumar Sharma one day!!

Categories
General Webseries

Review – Slow Horses Season 3

“Slow Horses” Season 3, streaming on Apple TV, continues to immerse viewers in a gripping world of espionage and intrigue set against the backdrop of the United Kingdom. Based on Mick Herron’s book series, this installment is a potent mix of action and intelligent storytelling.

Season 1 introduced viewers to Slough House, an MI5 department where disgraced operatives find themselves relegated. Among them are the Slow Horses—River Cartwright, Louisa Guy, Roddy Ho, and the office administrator Catherine Standish—led by the unorthodox Jackson Lamb, portrayed with finesse by Gary Oldman. Season 3 builds upon the well-developed characters, shifting the spotlight to the intricately woven plot.

In the first couple of episodes we see the kidnapping of Catherine Standish and River Cartwright’s foolhardy attempt to infiltrate MI5 at the behest of the kidnappers. What begins as a security preparedness review of MI5 conducted by an external consulting company, swiftly spirals into chaos, revealing the kidnapper Donovan’s hidden motive and divergent agenda.

The political landscape within MI5 becomes a captivating undercurrent throughout the season. The power play between the first desk, Ingrid Tearney, and the second desk, Diana Taverner—played by the talented Kristin Scott Thomas—unfolds with strategic precision. Their maneuvers and manipulations create a web of intrigue that influences the broader dynamics of the narrative.

This season delves deeper into the characters of two Slow Horses, Shirley Dander and Marcus Longridge, offering viewers a more profound insight into their personalities and roles within Slough House.

The strength of “Slow Horses” Season 3 lies in its ability to sustain a balance between character evolution, action, political intrigue, and an engaging storyline. Gary Oldman’s compelling portrayal of Jackson Lamb continues to be a standout, adding depth and charisma to the series. My only complaint is that the season is too short with only 6 episodes, and I am now awaiting Season 4 expected in late 2024. For enthusiasts of espionage thrillers craving both action-packed sequences and intricate storytelling, “Slow Horses” Season 3 on Apple TV is a must-watch.

Categories
General Healthcare Movies

Movie Review: “Three of Us”

“Three of Us” is a poignant and visually captivating film that delicately explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and personal reconciliation. Set against the backdrop of the serene coastal town of Vengurla in the Konkan region, the movie adeptly utilizes its picturesque landscapes to complement the emotional depth of its storytelling.

The narrative primarily revolves around a woman portrayed by the talented Shefali Shah, whose life takes an unexpected turn with an early diagnosis of dementia. However, the movie refrains from making the illness the focal point, using it instead as a subtle backdrop against which the characters’ stories unfold.

Shah’s character, along with her husband (played by Swanand Kirkire), embarks on a journey to Vengurla, where she reconnects with her school friend, portrayed by the versatile Jaideep Ahlawat. The movie delves into the complexities of their relationship, hinting at unresolved feelings and unspoken emotions that linger beneath the surface. The film intertwines her present struggles with dementia with her attempt to come to terms with a personal tragedy from her past that is connected to the town.

One of the standout aspects of “Three of Us” is its brilliant cinematography, which captures the breathtaking beauty of Vengurla, a coastal town nestled along the Arabian Sea. The visuals not only serve as a scenic backdrop but also add depth to the emotional landscape of the narrative.

Director Avinash Arun masterfully navigates the storyline, allowing the characters’ emotions and relationships to take center stage. While all three actors—Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Swanand Kirkire—deliver commendable performances, the standout portrayal is by Shefali Shah. Her portrayal infuses the character with a depth that resonates powerfully, anchoring the emotional core of the narrative.

Dr. Peter Attia in his  book “Outlive,” calls heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease(dementia) & type 2 diabetes  as the Four Horsemen – as they will account for the death of a majority of people. I have recently been coming across more cases of dementia in my known circles. This film subtly raises awareness about dementia without overstating its presence, offering a nuanced portrayal that resonated with me. The relationship between Shefali and her husband Kirkire who will eventually need to take on a significant role as her caretaker was beautifully portrayed in a scene where he gives her a hair massage.

I found “Three of Us” to be a touching cinematic experience that skillfully navigates emotional landscapes, aided by stellar performances and breathtaking visuals. It’s a film that gracefully tackles profound themes while highlighting the importance of memories and personal journeys.