Charulata begins with a long shot of Madhabi Mukherjee searching for a book of Bakimchandra Chattopaday. In this one shot not only Ray conveys the premise but also the the themes of loneliness and desperation.
Growing up in a Bengali household ,I have always heard about Charulata being a instant classic.I have watched other Ray classic but the treatment of the material is so unique, yet so familiar that this may truly be a complete movie.
The first half as a kind of effervescence that you least expect with a movie of this kind.Ray has superlative control over his music and background score .He very cleverly uses Rabinrasangeet with Western influences , instantly lifting this to the levels of International cinema.The sequence with "Ami Chinigo Chini tomare" is a superlative montage that is so rarely seen in Indian movies
The second half is very different from the first half but the transition does not feel drastic. Amal matures and Charu is left heartbroken ,but the most superlative scene is when Bhupati understands the truth of their relationship.It is superlative scene played with nuance.The final scene is a utter celebration of cinematic celebration and is a rarity in Indian cinema.
Charulata is the cameras ultimate triumph .Shots and sequences are itself a part of storytelling and have enhanced the conflicts manifold times.
Hence this movie may or may not be Ray's best but it is surely the greatest celebration of Bengali culture
Growing up in a Bengali household ,I have always heard about Charulata being a instant classic.I have watched other Ray classic but the treatment of the material is so unique, yet so familiar that this may truly be a complete movie.
The first half as a kind of effervescence that you least expect with a movie of this kind.Ray has superlative control over his music and background score .He very cleverly uses Rabinrasangeet with Western influences , instantly lifting this to the levels of International cinema.The sequence with "Ami Chinigo Chini tomare" is a superlative montage that is so rarely seen in Indian movies
The second half is very different from the first half but the transition does not feel drastic. Amal matures and Charu is left heartbroken ,but the most superlative scene is when Bhupati understands the truth of their relationship.It is superlative scene played with nuance.The final scene is a utter celebration of cinematic celebration and is a rarity in Indian cinema.
Charulata is the cameras ultimate triumph .Shots and sequences are itself a part of storytelling and have enhanced the conflicts manifold times.
Hence this movie may or may not be Ray's best but it is surely the greatest celebration of Bengali culture