What's In The Name?

What was the last movie you watched?

Can you recollect the lead character's name? The hero, the heroine or the villain. Chances are, as hard as you may try, you will not be able to remember the name of the characters. 

I had never given any thought about name of the characters until I watched 12 Angry Men, a film that tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or acquittal of a defendant. One of the alibis provided by the defendant is that he had been out watching a movie when the crime was committed. But when questioned, he is not able to recall the names of the characters. When this point is discussed, Henry Fonda, one of the jurors, asks other members if they remembered the names of the characters in movies they watched last. Guess what, no one is able to recall the names! 

Though it is not the absolute truth. For example, I remember Guna or Virumandi, or say Veera, Muthu or Basha. I also remember some villain's name. Gabbar Singh from Sholay or Mugambo from Mr. India. Interestingly, I am not sure if I remember Anil Kapoor or Sridevi's characters' name. But then I can never forget that Hema Malini in Sholay was Basanti. These are probably exceptions! 

But in general, why is it that the names of the characters are forgotten so easily? Are the names of the character not an important element? Why is it that some character names get etched in our memories while others don't even leave a scratch mark in our "hard drives"? Well it maybe a factor of how our nervous system is hard wired. 

Which movie characters' name do you remember? Mention it in the comments. 

Once More Pannaiyarum Padminiyum

Yes, I watched Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, again. And if opportunity strikes, I wouldn't mind watching it once more.

I realized how badly I wrote the last review. To say the least, my attempt to capture my thoughts about the movie was pathetic. But then maybe I was in a hurry and wanted to tell the world what a wonderful movie it was. The last post covered my attachment to a machine, one of the emotions that the movie evoked in me. What I covered very briefly, but should have actually written about, in the earlier post was the love story between the old couple - Pannaiyar and his wife Chellamal.

I must say of all the love stories that I have seen so far two movies have impressed me more than others. Interestingly, both these are about old people in love. When I say impressed, I think the success of a romantic movie to me is when I feel that I should have been the character in the movie. Or to put it differently I want that to happen in my life.

First is Cheeni Kum and, of course, the other is Pannaiyarum Padminiyum. In the first, two unmarried persons fall in love and get married at a rather old age while the latter is the love story of a married-for-long couple. Cheeni Kum is about urbane sophisticated people while Pannaiyarum Padminiyum is story of simpletons in a village. Love is omnipresent, shall we say.

Nothing to take away from Cheeni Kum, if I have to rate the two movies, I would probably end up rating Padminiyum Pannaiyarum a bit higher than R Balki's romantic comedy. Amitabh is heart throb and Tabu beautiful in Cheeni Kum, not to mention the histrionics of Paresh Rawal when he finds that his daughter has fallen for a man who is older than him, Cheeni Kum is "filmy".

On the other hand, Pannaiyarum Padminiyum celebrates reality. The life of common man, the aam aadmi. Tulasi and JP would probably remind you of your parents or an old couple that you know of in your life. There is nothing spectacular about them. In fact, there is nothing spectacular in the movie. It is just plain simple love and affection.

The way they mock each other lovingly, the support and empathy is a treat to watch. The scenes where both pannaiyar and his wife reach out to the driver separately requesting that he somehow teaches car driving is subtle but very heartwarming.  

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum starts where all other love stories usually end - the marriage. And I pray that such be life in my twilight years.