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Tag: Romance

  • The Materialist: The Business of Love

    The Materialist: The Business of Love

    The Materialist: The Business of Love

    First things first: Celine Song’s The Materialist doesn’t quite reach the quiet brilliance of her debut, the magnificent Past Lives. Yet, it’s still a relationship drama worth your time.

    Dakota Johnson (yes, of 50 Shades fame) shines as Lucy, an upmarket New York City matchmaker for the rich and privileged. She approaches romance like an M&A deal, quipping, “Marriage is a business deal and it always has been.”

    Her carefully constructed world collides when she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal) — a charming private equity prince with a $12 million penthouse and impeccable style — at a client’s wedding. At the same event, Lucy’s past resurfaces in the form of John (Chris Evans), her struggling-actor ex who’s working as a waiter. Their breakup years ago, heartbreakingly, was over a parking fee.

    Celine frames Lucy’s dilemma in modern Jane Austen fashion: should she choose the wealthy, flawless suitor or the imperfect, impoverished man who once held her heart? Classic setup, updated for Manhattan.

    The film is peppered with witty (and often depressing) “wish lists” from Lucy’s elite clients — a satirical mirror of transactional love. A side plot also hints at the risks of modern dating.

    Song still delivers memorable moments:

    • Lucy admitting she left John not for incompatibility, but for his poverty.
    • Lucy seduced by Harry’s luxurious lifestyle, yet starved of intimacy.
    • Lucy and Harry, seemingly the perfect match, inevitably drifting apart.

    Dakota Johnson gives a grounded, honest performance. Pedro Pascal oozes charm, while Chris Evans taps into raw vulnerability. The film itself, though, is uneven. The screenplay meanders, and the writing never fully soars.

    Still, Celine’s words resonate: “Love is the greatest mystery in everyone’s lives, and therefore one of the most important themes in cinema.” Couldn’t agree more.

    💡 The Materialist may not be flawless, but it’s a smart, satirical look at the math of love in a material world — and a worthy weekend watch.

    #TheMaterialist #Netflix #WeekendWatch #Romance #RomCom #DakotaJohnson #ChrisEvans #PedroPascal

  • Saiyaara: GenNext Musical Melancholy Ignites Romance

    Saiyaara: GenNext Musical Melancholy Ignites Romance

    A Long Post of The Tending Saiyaaraa….

    Saiyaara: Mohit’s Mashup Of Mohabbat, Music & Memories! 

    First thing first: 
    Is Saiyaara worth watching? Yes
    Does Saiyaara connect? Yes
    Is Saiyaara worth the hype? No

    What makes Saiyaara work? 
    Timeless romance, awesome music and fresh talent with strong screen presence

    Dimaag bhool janta hai, dil yaad rakhta hai!

    Saiyaara is an emotional roller coaster that works! The romantic musical drama connects and engages with its authenticity and story-telling! 

    An aspiring and short fused reckless musician meets a talented soft-spoken poet. As they erase their past and heal each other, romance blooms, music flows and life glows. They make new memories but memory itself plays a spoilsport! 

    Ahaan Panday & Aneet Padda make a wonderful impact with their performances – both living their characters magnificently! Ahaan is indeed the ray of sunshine. Aneet grows on you. The music is engaging and the songs carry the movie forward fabulously. Saiyaara, Barbaad, Dhun and Tum Ho To are good tracks. The screen play is good with memorable dialogues. 

    Mohit Suri repaints his old movies with Yashraj colors and similar sparklers to create Saiyaara. The movie is based on Korean drama ‘A Moment To Remember; which has inspired Ajay Devgan Kajol starrer U, Me & Hum. Apart from the traces of Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain and other Mohit movies, we see ’50 First Dates’ and Notebook influence as well. Yet Mohit’s doomed love conviction and emotional treatment moves the viewers. 

    The movie is not an all time classic because of the uneven pace. The second half was stretched while many aspects were rushed, unexplained and undercooked. While the nepo kids bashing by Ahaan was smart, calling a dating app Soulmates was out of place. But where love is never perfect, how can a love story be perfect? Love becomes eternal only beyond seeing imperfection, mistakes, rough edges, missteps and lost opportunities – so let’s celebrate the good old-fashioned romance with good music and authentic chemistry! 

    Saiyaara – Watch it!

  • Laila Majnu Review: The Eternal Love’s Journey From Kashmir To Spirituality

    Laila Majnu Review: The Eternal Love’s Journey From Kashmir To Spirituality

    Laila Majnu Review: The Eternal Love’s Journey From Kashmir To Spirituality

    The popular and classical tragic love story of Persian and Arabic times gets a Kashmiri setup in Imtiaz Ali’s writing. The Sajid Ali directed movie impresses with its authentic and rawness – Yashraj polish is missing but the movie touches your heart and soul.

    Laila – the girl is a prick tease who flirts with a battery of Srinagar boys

    Majnu (Qais) – the guy has bad reputation looks but stalks in a disarming manner

    As Qais tells Laila “humaari kahaani likhi gayi hai”, they fall in love while their parents are sworn enemies. The virgin love has a roller coaster ride with Laila getting married to a local politician and Majnu escaping to London. He returns and seems to be in an eternal waiting game for Laila. Both lose their lives with Majnu becoming a crazy mad lover. He discovers spirituality emphasising the path to God is nothing but love.

    Avinash Tiwary is intense and gets better as the movie progresses. He makes us believe in the madness of love with his powerful portrayal of Majnu. Tripti Dimri shows her talent in this pre-Animal avatar. Kashmir is a character by itself – what would Vishal Bharadwaj or Gulzar have done?.

    The songs are beautiful – O Meri Laila, Hafiz Hafiz and Aahista shine. The direction and editing could have been better as movie fails in certain portions.

    The movie was a big flop but the audience love brings it back after years of conversations. Within 3-4 days of release, it has made more money than its initial run six years ago! Love stories are eternal!

    Watch Laila Majnu for Avinash Tiwary’s Majnu act, Kashmir backdrop, nice music and a timeless love story!

    #Bollywood #ImtiazAli #HindiCinema #HindiMovies #IndianMovies #LailaMajnu #LoveStory #Romance #Love #Zee5 #Musical

  • Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    One of the year’s best and a must watch movie! A slow burn movie that touches your heart! A though provoking movie that spans time and continents!

    Celine Song’s debut movie beautifully captures the lives of two childhood friends over a two decade period where they explore their relationships in the backdrop of life events. Nora & Hae Sung are academic rivals and friends who once go on a parent brokered ‘play date’. The boy is in awe of the girl but she emigrates to Canada.

    Thanks to social media and digital world, they reconnect after twelve years but begin to drift apart again as Nora is committed to her ambition and explores the life she desires. Hae Sung finally meets Nora after another twelve years, as he plans a vacation to New York to meet the established playwright Nora, who is married to writer Arthur. How the meeting unfolds and unravels the nostalgic emotions is what makes Past Lives a brilliant and reflective piece of art!

    The Korean concept of “in-yeon” is central to the movie.

    The movie thrives in the power of saying the unsaid – eye contact, silence, stillness, music, backdrops etc. Watch the powerful ending…..soul moving!

    The movie is a master class in story telling, cinematography, music, acting and direction. Hae Sung (Yoo Teo) wins your heart as a handsome, sweet, dignified, mature and totally romantic protagonist. Nora (Greta Lee) is confused, vulnerable, practical and emotionally torn. Arthur (John Magarro) makes a great impact as Nora’s husband. Celine Song’s direction is truly amazing – full marks to her for a perfect debut.

    Past Lives – A movie about love, loss, marriage, career, culture, diaspora, nostalgia, relationships and destiny! How our relationships affect our lives!

    A must watch movie!

  • Faadu – A Love Story Review: A Slow But Refreshing Love Story

    Faadu – A Love Story Review: A Slow But Refreshing Love Story

    Faadu is a clutter breaking slow burn love story powered by exceptional performances of Saiyami Kher and Pavail Gulati. 

    When Ghalib Meets Gucci

    When Bhutan Meets America

    When Faiz Meets Ferrari

    Faadu starts as a refreshing tale of opposites attract. Manjiri and Abhay comes from a completely different background. Ujjain descendant Abhay, his auto rickshaw driver father, ailing mother and alcoholic brother live in a Mumbai Ghetto where life is an endless struggle and everything claustrophobic. Manjiri hails from an idyllic village in Konkan Coast where her highly supportive poetry loving father has given her complete support and encouragement to fly in the open skies.  Both meet, appreciate each other’s candour, fall in love and marry. So far so good. 

    However, ambitious Abhay is on a single minded mission to break the shackles of poverty and ensure a meteoric rise in the city of dreams. He makes questionable choices resulting into a troubled relationship with family and Manjiri. The journey of impatient Abhay overtakes the romance as he navigates different chapters of his hyper quick but grey growth. 

    Faadu is indeed a slow burn where Saiyami Kher shines. She is the moral compass and acts an anchor with brilliant clarity. She is the fountainhead of poetry, patience and simplicity. Pavail is equally strong and shows a great transformation. Great supporting cast as well. 

    Faadu slips in the second half and could have done with better editing. Though, its slow pace could appeal to a few sections. Excellent music and awesome cinematography. 

    Faadu: A love story that is worth a watch 

    #faadu #sonyliv #lovestory #bollywood #webseries #hindiseries #romance #bliss

  • Bawaal – When Hitler Saves A Failing Marriage!

    Bawaal – When Hitler Saves A Failing Marriage!

    Bawaal – When Hitler Saves A Failing Marriage!

    Bawaal is an interesting attempt where a couple in troubled marriage discover love over a World War 2 honeymoon trip. Arjun is a highly image-conscious and fake braggart who treats his intelligent, pretty and talented wife Nisha like a piece of dirt. Arjun invites trouble at his school job and finds a novel way to change the narrative. Nisha accompanies her and during the European trip covering Holocaust, Arjun realises his follies. 

    The story of a rustic uncivilised man redeemed by a brilliant and wise woman is an interesting take and explored before. The movie fails to build on a great premise. And zero marks for the attitude towards Epilepsy….

    The attempt to infuse Holocaust is a brave attempt but it fails…especially dialogues like – Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz. Or reducing Hitler’s evil to greed. Expect a big roasting here for the movie!

    Varun Dhawan is class apart and is the highlight of the movie. He is effortless and impressive. The supporting cast is wonderful. But Janhvi Kapoor fails to exploit the great character. 

    Bawaal has wonderful music and smart dialogues. Trust Dangal’s Nitesh Tiwary for a great movie but he could have done much much better!

    Bawaal is a decent one time watch – Watch it for Varun Dhawan!

    #bawaal #bawaalreview #bollywood #hindifilmindustry #primevideo #amazonprime #indiancinema #romance #newreleases

  • Modern Love Chennai – An Outstandingly Unique Serving Of Deep Love!

    Modern Love Chennai – An Outstandingly Unique Serving Of Deep Love!

    Modern Love Chennai is clearly the best Indian anthology of Modern Love. All the six stories are amazingly different with their innovative take on love. Beautifully written, all the  stories are sensitively and emphatically presented to keep you thinking long after the end. A wonderful eclectic collection of seasoned true love! 

    Ninaivo Oru Paravai (Memory Is A Bird) is clearly the pick of the lot. It is the director’s version of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. A couple breaks up but soon one partner loses his memory and only remembers the positive sunshine of the relationship. What should the other partner do? The visuals are very dark but creatively shot. The entire look of the movie is aesthetically unique and creates a great impact. Wamiqa Gabbi is splendid! 

    Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal (Deers That Live In A Bird’s Nest) is a radically different take on relationships. An extremely mature wife meets her husband’s new lover to discuss the new and interesting situation. She accepts her husband’s new love and never humiliates the lover as ‘other woman’. She helps the children and her adjust to the new world where all of them can co-exist beautifully. No judgements, only acceptance and understanding. 

    Balaji Sakthivel’s Imaigal (Blur) is a very moving tale. Young girl Devi has a very rare eye condition where she is eventually going to lose her eye-sight. Her boyfriend marries her inspite of the potential challenges. Life unfolds its obstacles as she gradually looses her eye-sight thereby causing ripples in their life. A new take on ‘Happily Ever After’. 

    Marghazi is a journey of adolescent romance and ephemeral encounters that uplift the spirits. Love heals!  

    Kaadhal Enbadhu Kannula Heart Irukkura Emoji is a story of cinephile Mallika (Ritu Varma) who searches for a perfect partner through school, college and adulthood. The larger than life world of cinema defines her love and life. 

    Lalagunda Bommaigal is a very very interesting tale with wacky characters – how a heart-broken and fiery young working woman finds love amidst prediction by a godman. Watch out for the ‘Jingrudha Dhanga’ song!

    Music is an equally important star of the series and master Ilaiyaraaja shines with wonderful compositions. All directors have exploited the freedom to paint their shades of love on the open canvas. 

    A must watch!