Dear filmmakers: If you're going to remake an old story,Landlady’s Loose Legs you better damn well do it right.
That isn't a targeted statement so much as a PSA (though it stings freshly of ABC's abominable Dirty Dancing), and a direct product of the fact that I was spoiled in 2006 by Omkara, an Indian film version of Othello.
Omkarawas the second Shakespearian endeavor from director Vishal Bhardwaj, who released Maqboolin 2003, based on Macbeth. Both films -- and 2014's Haider, based on Hamlet-- transpose the Bard's classics to regional India, and Omkararemains a stunning retelling of a world-renown story that is anything but old.
SEE ALSO: 'The Handmaid's Tale': 8 moments that hit too close to homeOur title character is Omkara (Ajay Devgn), who treads the indistinct line between politician and gang leader, stigmatized for his caste rather than the color of his skin. Desdemona becomes Dolly (Kareena Kapoor), Cassio is Kesu (Vivek Oberoi), Iago is Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan), and the general is Bhaisaab (Naseeruddin Shah). When Omkara names Kesu his deputy over longtime ally Langda, he hatches a plan that will destroy Omkara, Dolly, Kesu, and anyone else who gets in his way.
Shakespeare's immortal characters speak Hindi with thick Uttar Pradesh accents in a dialect almost indecipherable compared to "filmi" Hindi, which Bhardwaj once noted doesn't really exist. They carry cell phones, smoke herb-laced cigarettes, wearkurtasand dhotisand saris. It's not obnoxiously modern, but it's a stunning break from previous Shakespeare adaptations. Bhardwaj draws excellent performances from popular Bollywood stars (particularly the women, who rarely get to be more than beautiful props in crowd-pleasing movies) and cinematographer Tassaduq Hussain puts a rustic lens on the murky tale.
Most remarkably, Omkaradoesn't reject its Bollywood roots. Independent Indian cinema ("artistic" or "alternative" films) often omits the song-and-dance visuals of commercial fare, but Omkara boasts both a nuanced musical score and chart-topping Bollywood bangers (all composed by Bhardwaj). In "Beedi," local dancer Billo (based on Othello's Bianca and played by Bipasha Basu) dances for Omkara's party while Langda and Rajju conspire to get Kesu embarrassingly drunk.
More than 10 years after its release, Omkararemains one of my favorite pieces of Indian cinema. It doesn't conform to Bollywood conventions but isn't so self-serious as to alienate intrepid audiences. It is, simply put, a damn good movie, an adaptation that should set the standard for so many that will inevitably follow.
Where to watch: Einthusan.com
Best Apple deal: Save $60 on the Apple Watch SE
Hobbit Mythology, Classics Reinvented by Sadie Stein
'Succession' Season 4 ending explained: Who's the new CEO?
Pornhub just dropped a newly redesigned line of sex toys
Skype is finally shutting down
Dreaming in Welsh by Pamela Petro
Arthurian Legend, Literary Restaurants by Sadie Stein
Twitter is now worth one
Ryzen 5 1600X vs. 1600: Which should you buy?
Magic Hour: An Interview with Gregory Crewdson by Elisabeth Donnelly
No Time for a Negative Peace
Women are thanking Chrissy Teigen for sharing her heartbreaking pregnancy journey
Best AI productivity software to enhance your worklife in 2023
Drink the Water by Alia Akkam
What cracked the Milky Way's giant cosmic bone? Scientists think they know.
Donald Trump tweets that he and Melania have tested positive for COVID
Kids Are All Right, Like E
Poetic Prescriptions, Banished Words by Sadie Stein
Best iPad deal: Save $100 on 13
Twitter is now worth one
10kg dumbbell iPhone case forces you to pump iron as you text peopleWho's who in 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'Analogue's Super Nt is an SNES Classic for gaming's true hipstersZillow has big plans to make house hunting smarter with AIGoogle launches YouTube Music and YouTube PremiumRonan Farrow analyzes Harry Potter and 'Matilda' villainsWhy do computers in movies still make super annoying sounds?A predictive keyboard wrote a 'Game of Thrones' script and it's hilariously perfect'Kingdom Hearts III' handsHawaii's Kilauea volcano explodes, blasting ash miles into the skySlack is down7 movies that show how bonkers Prince Harry's royal lineage isHow to watch Mark Zuckerberg's meeting with the EU parliamentRyan Reynolds had a secret second role in 'Deadpool 2'Here are 5 books you need to read this summer, according to Bill GatesJennifer Aniston and Tig Notaro to play first couple in Netflix film'Deadpool 2' Is The Gayest Superhero Movie Yet, And That's A ProblemThe nostalgic power of Korean dramas — and why you should start binging right nowFacett is the world's first modular selfBishop Michael Curry stole the show at the Royal Wedding Sweet kid breaks down with joy after dad surprises him with Cubs tickets What it's actually like to hang out in Facebook Spaces So, Rob Lowe is the new Colonel Sanders for KFC and you really have to see it to believe it Juicero might make you hate humanity but these comments will make you love it again Can the iPhone 8 avoid the Samsung Galaxy S8's one big mistake? Bruce Springsteen slams 'con man' Trump in new song and we are here for it 'Last Jedi' director moves scar on Kylo Ren's face, chaos ensues Apple Watch Earth Day 2017 Mascot saves kid from foul ball and gets paid back in the cutest way Katy Perry might just be anti This city installed subway gates on the sidewalk to stop people jaywalking 'Game of Thrones' Season 7 photos offer our first glimpse of winter Turns out there's a lot of money in reliable answers to the internet's questions BINGE ALERT: Why you need to start your 'Twin Peaks' catch George Takei, Lin So you want to be a Google health lab rat? Here's what you'll have to do This 'Game of Thrones' statue is the stuff nightmares are made of Adult Legoland fans are really angry they're not allowed in the kids playground How to pick the right camera for 360 video Google Play Music will now be the default on all Samsung devices
2.1456s , 8224.8828125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Landlady’s Loose Legs】,Warmth Information Network