....and all that jazZ

Monday, July 25, 2005

Just good Friends !!


Two diametrically opposite worlds. The year 1989. Across the globe all the way from India to America. Two movies that made us laugh and cry. Maine Pyaar Kiya and When Harry met Sally.

Maine Pyaar Kiya was more then just a movie. It was a phenomenon. Everything about it was new and fresh for that day and time. Most of all it gave Bollywood its Brat. Friend caps, the heart with the bandage saying "I love you so much it hurts", prem applying balm on suman's ankle with his eyes closed (WOW !!! Age of Innocence ???), SPB singing for Salman. Europe's Final countdown shamelessly copied to make a item song in which the item dress is not shown. Suman, the painstakingly naive and shy belle, with the white salwar kurta and long tresses setting the stereotype for the "ideal girl" for years to come. The "ru ru ru " background tune. And the classic cult dialogue " Ek ladka aur ladki kabhie dost nahin ho sakte...."

The same time people also saw what I consider a very witty romantic movie "When Harry met Sally". Meg Ryan, the bhagyashree of the west ?? Billy Crystal is no Salman for sure and thank God. Spanning over 12 years of Harry and Sally's relationship which goes from hate to dislike to friendship and very conveniently love, it was a very clever movie in its own right. Keeping the mush quotient low I thought it kept the smile on your face all through. And there is the every so relevant conversation.
Harry Burns: No, what I'm saying is they all WANT to have sex with you.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: So, you're saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry Burns: No. You pretty much want to nail 'em too.
Sally Albright: What if THEY don't want to have sex with YOU?
Harry Burns: Doesn't matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we're not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.
Sally Albright: That's too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York.
(courtesy imdb :))



1989 marked the end of an era of sorts. The worst in fashion is now behind us. So is Disco era.


6 Comments:

  • Hmm, interesting you mentioned MPK in favorable tones. Most people I know seem to shy off treating Hindi movies with any sort of respect. BTW, I read HBP too. Wasn't a COMPLETE dissapointment. However, I found the plot really week and I just couldn't see what relevance HBP had in the whole story. Maybe there's more of that in book 7.

    Originally @ Jul 26, 2005 09:35 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:06 PM  

  • I dont blame your friends. And in retrospect it may seem as the cheesiest movie ever, but tell me who watche it then and didnt enjoy it. Its was a refreshing change from the type that was being made then. And for that the makers must be given credit.
    About HBP. I rthink she is a porr write and there nothing more to say.

    Originally @ Jul 26, 2005 10:42 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:06 PM  

  • 1989 - gave birth to grunge, disco had no choice but to retire ;)

    Originally @ Jul 27, 2005 09:37 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:06 PM  

  • :) Yes !

    Originally @ Jul 27, 2005 11:08 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:07 PM  

  • In my opinion, MPK was a nice movie despite all its cliches for it had something so fresh that it touched a chord with everyone with a heart. HMS, on the other hand, was just a good comedy. It didn't touch a chord or anything. Largely, it was rubbish and had no emotional value to it.

    As for Billy Crystal not being Salman, well, when talking only with respect to MPK and HMS, thank God for Harry could be played by anyone anywhere, but not Prem. He was a heart-throb for he deserved it like no other. Its another thing that he turned out to be such a huge disappointment later.

    -- Akshaya

    Originally @ Jul 28, 2005 07:15 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:07 PM  

  • To each his own :) The former is a sappy love story and the latter a witty comedy about romance. After 15 years I still enjoy watching both :)

    Originally @ Jul 28, 2005 11:30 PST

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:07 PM  

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