Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan) has been abroad getting educated for ten years. Now, he's finally returning and his beloved Parvati (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) awaits him and hopes they'll marry. However, although the two are in love, his mother and sister-in-law decide rather coldly that he should marry someone even richer than Parvati. Now Parvati is NOT poor--just not quite as fantastically rich as Devdas' family. So, when her family rejects this union, Devdas stomps off BUT he does NOT take Parvati with him. She is naturally hurt but reluctantly agrees to marry a super-wealthy guy (who, sadly, is a total jerk). Devdas finally decides to defy his family and comes for her--but it's too late. For the rest of the film, Devdas whines and whines and whines--and drinks LOTS of wine. During this time, oddly, a courtesan, Chandramukhi, Madhuri Dixit loves Devdas and cares for him but he refuses to marry her or accept her into his heart. Ultimately, Devdas drinks himself to death and the film ends...after almost three hours of Devdas' whining and mooning about and drinking.
I am probably NOT the best person to be reviewing "Devdas". While I have probably seen more international films than anyone NOT currently undergoing psychiatric care, I have only seen a few dozen Indian films and am by no means an expert. And, certain clichés might be adored by fans of the Indian cinema, but as a bit of an outsider, I see them a bit differently. Now I am NOT saying I dislike Indian movies or their unusual style. I have adored and praised films such as "Three Idiots", "Kandukondain Kandukondain" and "Aparahito" in my reviews, I just did not enjoy "Devdas" and I'll try to explain why.
As I sat and watched "Devdas", I thought of an appropriate metaphor for this film. It was like giving me a gigantic bowl of whipped cream to eat. Now I like whipped cream--but after eating gallons and gallons of it, I want some substance. "Devdas" is full of sumptuous sets, gorgeous actors (particular Aishwarya Rai Bachchan---who, apart from my wife, is probably the most beautiful woman on the planet). It has lovely camera-work and singing. However, the story itself seemed like a collection of children's "Disney Princess" fairy tales that most guys cannot relate to. Now it is NOT because I am not a romantic--I love a good romance. But, I also want one with depth. And, sadly, "Devdas" is sadly lacking depth and too often I just wanted to slap the title character and tell him to 'stop whining and man up!'. After all, although he lost his childhood sweetheart, he was incredibly rich and well-educated--unlike 95% of his countrymen. I am sure a lot of folks in Mumbai would have a hard time feeling all that sorry for this guy! I just thought the story looked great and gave me characters I really didn't care for or like.
I am probably NOT the best person to be reviewing "Devdas". While I have probably seen more international films than anyone NOT currently undergoing psychiatric care, I have only seen a few dozen Indian films and am by no means an expert. And, certain clichés might be adored by fans of the Indian cinema, but as a bit of an outsider, I see them a bit differently. Now I am NOT saying I dislike Indian movies or their unusual style. I have adored and praised films such as "Three Idiots", "Kandukondain Kandukondain" and "Aparahito" in my reviews, I just did not enjoy "Devdas" and I'll try to explain why.
As I sat and watched "Devdas", I thought of an appropriate metaphor for this film. It was like giving me a gigantic bowl of whipped cream to eat. Now I like whipped cream--but after eating gallons and gallons of it, I want some substance. "Devdas" is full of sumptuous sets, gorgeous actors (particular Aishwarya Rai Bachchan---who, apart from my wife, is probably the most beautiful woman on the planet). It has lovely camera-work and singing. However, the story itself seemed like a collection of children's "Disney Princess" fairy tales that most guys cannot relate to. Now it is NOT because I am not a romantic--I love a good romance. But, I also want one with depth. And, sadly, "Devdas" is sadly lacking depth and too often I just wanted to slap the title character and tell him to 'stop whining and man up!'. After all, although he lost his childhood sweetheart, he was incredibly rich and well-educated--unlike 95% of his countrymen. I am sure a lot of folks in Mumbai would have a hard time feeling all that sorry for this guy! I just thought the story looked great and gave me characters I really didn't care for or like.