Lagaan: Once Upon a Time In India (2001) Reviews
- Starring:
- Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, (more)
- Director(s):
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
- Category:
- Music & Performing Arts, Foreign
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful Although the movie was very long, I enjoyed it. I found the "David vs. Goliath" theme to be interesting, and the values of honor, friendship & loyalty demonstrated among the Indian townspeople to be ... Read More Although the movie was very long, I enjoyed it. I found the "David vs. Goliath" theme to be interesting, and the values of honor, friendship & loyalty demonstrated among the Indian townspeople to be appealing. Plus, Aamir Khan is certainly a cutie of a Bollywood actor! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Lagaan is indeed an epic film in the old tradition. At 3 hours, 40 minutes, the viewer does need to be prepared for a full afternoon of entertainment. And entertainment it is! The actors present ... Read More Lagaan is indeed an epic film in the old tradition. At 3 hours, 40 minutes, the viewer does need to be prepared for a full afternoon of entertainment. And entertainment it is! The actors present believable characters, from the pompous British Captain Russell to the impetuous villager Bhuvan, in a story that, although fictional, could just as well have stepped out of the pages of history. The song/dance numbers are reminiscent of the great musicals of Hollywood, although it is clear that the singing is dubbed over in studio, and one has difficulty imagining certain individuals' voices making the transitions presented. The scenery and settings are masterful, presenting British Imperial India in an honest light: the poverty and squalor of the lower class natives set against the splendor and majesty of the ruling class, both imported and domestic, is stark indeed. This is a film that deserved its Oscar nomination and a must see for any serious connoisseur of the cinematic arts. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful Even though this movie is long, I felt entertained the whole time. This is a great family movie and my daughter and I loved the music and dancing. We also enjoyed the colorful costumes.The story is ... Read More Even though this movie is long, I felt entertained the whole time. This is a great family movie and my daughter and I loved the music and dancing. We also enjoyed the colorful costumes.The story is inspirational and there are several lessons learned. I really enjoyed this movie and have recommended it to my friends and family. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful It is misleading to say that this movie is in English, Hindi, making the renter think they get a choice of a completely English version. Actually you get BOTH , unfortunately English is NOT spoken ... Read More It is misleading to say that this movie is in English, Hindi, making the renter think they get a choice of a completely English version. Actually you get BOTH , unfortunately English is NOT spoken often! So you have to depend on the subtitles, which are sometimes too long to read completely. Otherwise it is well fimed, with appropriat period costumes and settings, plus an interesting story... if somewhat over long. It's also a sort of musical, with song & dance number interspursed, but not often enough. Some judicial cutting of the length would have helped, and of course a full English dialogue, not just subtitles!!! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful I liked the movie but heard much in the script that alluded to anti-Americanism, calling us white devils and referring to wiping out all that is western. Watch it and see for yourself. I was ... Read More I liked the movie but heard much in the script that alluded to anti-Americanism, calling us white devils and referring to wiping out all that is western. Watch it and see for yourself. I was actually shocked when during the musical scenes these are the things I heard. Rather disturbing. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful I rated this movie only as "OK" because the conclusion of the movie was very predictable from the start. As a male I thought the best part of this film was watching the beautiful Gracy Singh (Yes-- ... Read More I rated this movie only as "OK" because the conclusion of the movie was very predictable from the start. As a male I thought the best part of this film was watching the beautiful Gracy Singh (Yes-- even a non-Indian white male would appreciate.)
However, the movie is an uncomfortable 224 minutes unless one takes a break at intermission as the movie was originally designed.
Watching this movie made me see that there is little difference between the rest of us and Indians--we have much more in common than differences. The same demonizing of British soldiers could be made in colonial America, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is a story of the empire taxing the poor common people. Only instead of a fighting a war they fight it out playing cricket. Also I thought Hindi sounded very similar to listening to Welsh. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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