Michelle as a little girl is totally
confused and angry cause of her handicap. Her parents doesn't know
how to deal with the little girl as she becomes more and more destructive and
wild. When things get out of hand --once she topples a candle and creates a
fire at home and at another time she hurts her little baby sister-- her father (Dhritiman
chatterjee) decides to put her in an asylum.
Her mother (Shernaz Patel) fights for a last chance for her daughter. She
summons a teacher, Debraj from a deaf and blind school. He is slightly
eccentric, but is dedicated to his profession.
The teachers meeting with his ward is
far from pleasant. But the teacher is tough with the obstinate girl and slowly
reaches a truce with her. He gradually changes the wild thing into a presentable young
lady. Though the father was at first against his rough handling of the girl he
later accepts him when he sees the positive progress in her.
Debraj slowly introduces her to the
world of light and sound. With his help she tries to make sense of the pitch dark
world around her.. she learns her first words. The teacher becomes her constant
companion and he has big ambitions for her. He helps her to get into a regular
college and sits with her during class interpreting the lessons to her through
hand contact to fulfill their dream to make her a graduate. But a quirk of fate
awaits them as he slowly begins to loose his memory. He succumbs to Alzheimer's
and one day she looses him completely...
Black is a beautiful movie from a
brilliant director. The direction, editing, cinematography, sets, background
score, performances are all outstanding. The film touches you to the core and it
is an experience
one shouldn't miss. The movie as a whole has an international feel to it. Credit
goes to the director for taking on such a theme and making it a beautiful piece
of art.
Performances are exceptional. Rani as Michelle
shows a depth that has never been seen in any of her characters. It is the role
of her life and she has done complete justice to it. Amitabh as her teacher once
again proves that the big B still reigns. He is superb in his role. Debutant
Ayesha Kapoor playing little Michelle is a revelation. Others including Dhritiman
Chatterjee as Michelle's father, Nandana Sen in a small role as her jealous but
kind sister, are flawless and Shernaz Patel as her agonisized mother is
especially touching in her role.
The movie could expect to win some of
the coveted awards next year. Commercially it may not be a success in India but
it may run well abroad.
Overall a must watch film. We rate this movie excellent.
