200 something odd music video maker Prasanna Poudel has raised bar himself and yes expectations are already soaring high after seeing his first directorial debut SWOR. With Swor, director PRASANNA POUDEL promises a true-blue band film, but ultimately delivers a masala Nepali film that just happens to be about a band. Raj Ballav Koirala, Sraj Garach, Amit Pokhrel , Joes Pandey , Reema Bishowakarma and Benisha Hamal star as once-aspiring musicians who chucked up their dream of taking their band professional. But in between their dreams comes a filmy twist. What's that i'm not here to say in depth detail.
The film's basic plot stays faithful to the blueprint of your standard coming-of-age film, but the screenplay of SWOR is bursting at its seams with so many clichés that fifteen minutes in you can predict pretty much everything that's going to happen then on.
Despite freshness in castings and pacy screenplay, SWOR has few surprises because the writers stick to the safety of tried-and-tested formula instead of pushing the envelope. As a result the film moves at a formula circus.
Yet, SWOR is rescued by some marvelous moments that stay with you until the end. Like that hilarious scene in which the band act before their first musical apperance on the stage. Or the one in which Raj's character blows a handycam 'moment' with Keki when he doesn't know how to get in touch with her.
There are many things to like about this film. Its little moments reveal so much. Like how the band's 'home-made' music and lyrics are instantly put into perspective in that telling scene in which Keki makes her first love impression and Raj instantly makes up a song about it. How can anyone criticize the amateurish lyrics of their songs after they've shown you exactly what inspires them to come up with their lines?
Or then that scene in which Sraj, the idea maker, gives a filmy idea of Hire the villians and be on the spot to rescue the girl. It seems like such a mundane scene, unnecessary even, but it stays instantly for a good smile.
It's difficult to believe the writer who came up with such layered subtlety, is also responsible for all the gaping holes in the script. The tiff between Raj and Tripti Nadkar that leads to the mysterious exile looks so contrived; Raj's overnight abandoning of his mother is hardly convincing; and where was Raj living after that is very confusing.
You cringe during that predictable scene in RAJ is diagnosed with a fatal brain damaging problem but insists on performing nevertheless; you sigh when you've correctly guessed that a character who was expected to cure after his big musical night eventually dies performing. This is one minor fault and I'm sure nobody'll bogg it big.
The heart of any film lies in its characters and your ability to empathize with them. The protagonists in SWOR are full of flaws and many aren't even particularly well written, especially the background of the band members. Yet they come off as endearing, and the credit for that must go to the actors inhabiting those roles. The extremely talented Sraj Garach may be reduced to the comic sidekick here, but he gives the film some of its nicest moments.
Keki Adhikari, saddled with what I think is the film's trickiest role, comes off unscathed because she's an actor who oozes warmth. Reema Bishwokarma exercises both beauty quotient and her acting chops to play the band's female singer / rythm guitar and the film's memorable character. She does both adequately. Benisha Hamal is just okey. But it's Raj Ballav Koirala who towers above the rest with an earnest performance as the idealistic musician. Raj is a new star in the making. See him emote, sing and play pranks.
This is a performance that stands out for its combination of strength and vulnerability.
SWOR wouldn't be half the film if it wasn't for Sugam Pokhrel and Satya-Sworoop Acharya's remarkable score. The one composition that stays long after the film is 'Mutu Nichori'. Take a bow Sworoop for composing this beautiful track. Bhupendra Khadka's lyrics is not up to the expectation barring 'MUTU NICHORI' .Suren poudel(editing)has done a terrific job in an otherwise technical fault narrative.
SWOR is not extra ordinare, does not try hard to be diffrentand that's what works in its favour. Its an easy film which has got a bunch of wonderful moments. For the novelty of the experience I'll go with three out of five for this film. Extra five points for bringing in lots of fresh actors.
Watch it because it doesn't let you down.
3/5 stars
feel free to comment
JAICINEMA
The film's basic plot stays faithful to the blueprint of your standard coming-of-age film, but the screenplay of SWOR is bursting at its seams with so many clichés that fifteen minutes in you can predict pretty much everything that's going to happen then on.
Despite freshness in castings and pacy screenplay, SWOR has few surprises because the writers stick to the safety of tried-and-tested formula instead of pushing the envelope. As a result the film moves at a formula circus.
Yet, SWOR is rescued by some marvelous moments that stay with you until the end. Like that hilarious scene in which the band act before their first musical apperance on the stage. Or the one in which Raj's character blows a handycam 'moment' with Keki when he doesn't know how to get in touch with her.
There are many things to like about this film. Its little moments reveal so much. Like how the band's 'home-made' music and lyrics are instantly put into perspective in that telling scene in which Keki makes her first love impression and Raj instantly makes up a song about it. How can anyone criticize the amateurish lyrics of their songs after they've shown you exactly what inspires them to come up with their lines?
Or then that scene in which Sraj, the idea maker, gives a filmy idea of Hire the villians and be on the spot to rescue the girl. It seems like such a mundane scene, unnecessary even, but it stays instantly for a good smile.
It's difficult to believe the writer who came up with such layered subtlety, is also responsible for all the gaping holes in the script. The tiff between Raj and Tripti Nadkar that leads to the mysterious exile looks so contrived; Raj's overnight abandoning of his mother is hardly convincing; and where was Raj living after that is very confusing.
You cringe during that predictable scene in RAJ is diagnosed with a fatal brain damaging problem but insists on performing nevertheless; you sigh when you've correctly guessed that a character who was expected to cure after his big musical night eventually dies performing. This is one minor fault and I'm sure nobody'll bogg it big.
The heart of any film lies in its characters and your ability to empathize with them. The protagonists in SWOR are full of flaws and many aren't even particularly well written, especially the background of the band members. Yet they come off as endearing, and the credit for that must go to the actors inhabiting those roles. The extremely talented Sraj Garach may be reduced to the comic sidekick here, but he gives the film some of its nicest moments.
Keki Adhikari, saddled with what I think is the film's trickiest role, comes off unscathed because she's an actor who oozes warmth. Reema Bishwokarma exercises both beauty quotient and her acting chops to play the band's female singer / rythm guitar and the film's memorable character. She does both adequately. Benisha Hamal is just okey. But it's Raj Ballav Koirala who towers above the rest with an earnest performance as the idealistic musician. Raj is a new star in the making. See him emote, sing and play pranks.
This is a performance that stands out for its combination of strength and vulnerability.
SWOR wouldn't be half the film if it wasn't for Sugam Pokhrel and Satya-Sworoop Acharya's remarkable score. The one composition that stays long after the film is 'Mutu Nichori'. Take a bow Sworoop for composing this beautiful track. Bhupendra Khadka's lyrics is not up to the expectation barring 'MUTU NICHORI' .Suren poudel(editing)has done a terrific job in an otherwise technical fault narrative.
SWOR is not extra ordinare, does not try hard to be diffrentand that's what works in its favour. Its an easy film which has got a bunch of wonderful moments. For the novelty of the experience I'll go with three out of five for this film. Extra five points for bringing in lots of fresh actors.
Watch it because it doesn't let you down.
3/5 stars
feel free to comment
JAICINEMA
well i found this movie very fresh and it was good to see Nepali movie finally taking shape of a different kind. After reading the entire report above, i felt it would be injustice if i didnt mention the performance of Mr.Sunil Thapa..his semi-indian accent is finally justifed in this move where he plays an ex-indian army officer. Raj Ballav Koirala has done a superb job and Keki's expressions are awesome. The rest of the characters have done a great job too especially Reema..Overall this movie is a slap to everyone who complain that Nepali movie isnt worth watching...SWOR a must watch...
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