Review of movie screening on ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’

Review of movie screening on ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’

      ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ is a novel by Pakistani writer, Mohsin Hamid, published in 2007. It also turned into political thrilled drama film in 2012, directed by Mira Nair; staring at Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson as lead actors. The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a post 9/11 story about the impact of the Al Qaeda attacks on one Pakistani man and his treatment by Americans in reaction to them. (Wikipedia)

        The novel (movie) uses the technique of ‘frame narrative story’ (story within the story). In which one Pakistani bearded man call Changez Khan, tells to one nervous American stranger about his love affair with one American woman (Erica); while seating in one outdoor Lahor Café.

The story went ten years back to America; where Changez was satisfy with his love life and his job. Then one terrible incident happened about 9/11. American Civilians were under the threat of terrorist attack.  Every Muslim people of America came under the watch of American securities. They were publically and privately offended by American cops. Changez also became the part of that. In very rude way he was investigated. Now he finds his fellow mates who are having their sight with doubt towards him. Even his personal life with Erica became disturbed. Somewhere he finds himself being objectified in case of Erica. All of sudden he feels alone as well lonely. He finally decided to come back to Pakistan; his homeland. In Pakistan also, he was constantly hideous way chased by as well inquired by one American Journalist call Bobby Langton. He was working for CIA. At the end of the movie, it is revealed that Bobby was CIA agent. And CIA too found that they have done great mischief for they have doubted on Changez. Bobby feels guilty for what he did and decided to write Changez’ real story.

In this novel or movie the word ‘Fundamentalism’ used in two different senses, while Jim (Changez’ American boss) uses this word in context of ‘Corporation world’. Whereas the same word later used by a Pakistani man Fazil, it simply suggest the ‘Terrorism’.

At last to conclude I opines,  

                Why we have problem with Muslims and not with the White people? Why we have deep respect for Whites and hatred for Muslims? Why we have sight of doubt towards them and not with others?     

Thank you…

Work cited:

·       Wikipedia

·       Class-notes

Review of movie screening on “Midnight’s Children”

Review of movie screening on “Midnight’s Children”

‘Midnight’s Children’ is one of the most acclaimed novel written by Salman Rushdie, Which in 2013 emerged as a drama; luminously directed as well compiled by Oscar Nominated Deepa Mehta.

This film highlighting the lives of two individuals; born at the stroke of midnight when India achieved its independence from the British. Withal it suggests that how those children are blessed with some magical power. The twist comes there when these two children took birth in the same Bombay hospital; were shifted by the nurse ‘Mary’. The beggar’s child (boy) exchanged with wealthy couple’s baby boy. Mary did this desperately on the whim of her husband Joe. Joe was doing this for raising voice against rich people as well politically engaged. He said that,

‘Let the rich become poor and poor become rich’.

Beggar’s boy named as ‘Shiva’, who was in real, belongs to a wealthy as well eminent family of Ahmed Sinai and Amina Sinai. Sinais’ heir was named as ‘Saleem’, who was actually a boy of beggar woman Vanita. Over a period of a time, their fate makes them face each other on the field of rivalry, politics, romance and class.

          The whole novel is mouthpiece of Saleem Sinai himself; who with growing age mate with his extra-ordinary power. He could listen some tremendous voices from his nose.

‘I found some voices from nose’ – Saleem.

Here, we for the first time find magic realism. Now often Saleem finds some illusionary figures of children. Here we meet Parvati, who is another mysterious child like Saleem and Shiva. She is an orphan girl. At the middle part of the movie we introduced with her as a part of Saleem’s illusions, but with the passing of time Saleem and Parvati fell into love. They married each-other.

In the rest part we find Parvati doing some magic with whispering of ‘Abara ka Dabara’. Throughout the movie we find this magic realism used by these midnight’s children. Till the end the lives of Shiva and Saleem becomes ruined, because the secret of their born is unfolded now. Shiva dies; Parvati also dies in one accident. Saleem remains with his son (actually a son of Parvati and Shiva). Thus, this novel (movie) contains major three themes: 1) creation and telling of history, 2) the creation and telling of nation’s and individual’s identity, 3) the creation and telling of stories.

Basically, this novel has flat plot. In movie version it also creates some boring moods in viewer’s mind. So that many critics opine that it has not that stuff or content to make a movie on it.

Work Cited:

§  Wikipedia

§  Class-notes