|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 :):):) Jan 31, 2010
i liked it, could have been a different guy she ended up with, but its good.
Straight From the Heart Sep 04, 2009
Great Bollywood movie! A little cheesy, but if you can get past that, it's entertaining.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Weird and entertaining May 18, 2009
I've had this movie on my shelf for a long time, and thought about giving it away because it seemed really... well... stupid. So, last night I was alone at home with nothing to do but give the movie another chance. It took me until maybe fifteen minutes to get into the movie with the first musical number, but after that I was hypnotized. It is a really strange movie and there are scenes I merely lift my eyebrow to. Something unique I have observed with Bollywood films is that they go either way in quality, but they never try too hard to impress an audience with facts and other trivial aspects. Their purpose is to serve the audience by entertaining with a classic storyline warmed by great performances, lavish colors and scenery, and catchy music/dances.
It wasn't until I finished this rather long movie sometime around two in the morning did I fully understand the worth of the story. It can easily be divided into two halves. The first accounts for the fun, flirtatious love between Sameer and Nandini. Not only do they have great chemistry, but I laughed a lot at their playful interactions. It is really sad when they are separated; however, this marks the next chapter of Nandini's complicated life. She is arranged to marry a man who is quiet, reserved, a relatively unsuccessful lawyer, but has a heart of gold and is dedicated to taking care of his beloved wife.
The first period of her marriage is marked by depression and longing for Sameer. She receives letters from her love that her husband, Ajray (sp?) reads accidentally. Hurt by her dishonesty, he does not wish to pursue a relationship with someone who doesn't return his love, and so he decides to travel to Italy with Nandini to help her find Sameer. A lot of things happen while they are there, and Nandini decides to give Ajray a chance by getting to know his true person. She comes to respect him, and comes to understand the meaning of love through his selfless actions. The concept of her deciding to stay with her husband is somewhat ridiculous in retrospect to the entire film, but it makes a lot of sense when it finally happens because Sameer and Nandini grow apart with the distance and difference in cultural background. To me, their relationship was genuine and sweet but they fought over petty things and handled their emotions like any inexperienced person would: obsessively.
However, Nandini's relationship with Ajray is mature, deep, and abiding. So, the story to me wasn't about two lovers trying to reconnect. It's a story about a person who comes to understand the meaning of love through her experiences.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Bollywood at its Best May 04, 2009
I absolutely love this movie and would recommend it to everyone. Yes some parts are a little cheesy but the story as a whole is beautiful and compelling. I really like how the first half of the movie shows this bright sunny girl and the second half she is the complete opposite thus proving her versatility as an actress. I also love the music and dance sequences performed by Aishwarya Rai that leave you mesmerized.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Magical initiation! Feb 20, 2009
This sparkling romance was my first introduction to the magic and
art of the Bollywood movie! Since seeing it just a week ago, I have
watched 3 more -- leading to another introduction to the charismatic
actor Shah Rukh Khan, (whom I loved in "Devdas"). "Straight from the
Heart" aka "Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam" is a wonderful, romantic story
of young love (infatuation) vs. mature, lasting, true love.
THe song and dance numbers, particularly "Nimbooda", are all brilliant
displays of beauty, dance and sometimes, seduction.
All I can say is that once you have been thoughtfully introduced to the
art of the Bollywood movie, you will find yourself falling in love!
|
| | |
