Open TEE Bioscope is more than just a film, it is a reminiscence of the good old bygone days. If you are a Bengali, more specifically a person who has grew in the 70's or 80's kolkata, brace yourself for a joyride down the memory lane.Football, first love, friendship, adda ; the movie has successfully depicted every possible aspect that probably had kept you occupied in your adolescences.And as for the music, be it the romantic one 'tor jonyo' or the Band single 'Pagla khabi ki', all of them goes so smooth with the story line you won't feel the length of the movie for a moment. Coming to the story, a boy in his adolescence comes back to his house in north Kolkata being rusticated from his boarding school; then the story revolves around friendship, first love, banter with mom and of course, football. There is some hitches which may seem unrealistic in a world of today or in the 70's. But that's not the point of the movie, director Anindya in his first venture tried to depict the 'bangaliyana' of kolkata, and he did a fine job. As the saying goes, live long "sholo ana bangaliyana" .
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Pabitrabadhuk29 January 2015
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srideep-4378820 May 2015Open Tee Bioscope is a must watch film if you have grown up in Calcutta during the time period of 80's or 90's. It is not a film in fact it is a time machine ride which will take you back automatically to your childhood days. At least it did the same for me and I think every child could relate with the characters and the way they are depicted in the movie.At least I can guarantee you after 2.5hours you will come out of the multiplex with a bright smile in your face and tears in your eyes. (N.B: only if you were mischievous in your childhood.If you have spent your childhood with your mathematics and physical science books all day long please don't watch this movie.It will make no sense for you)
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sesht8 February 2015One of the better slice-of-life/coming-of-age movies made in the recent past, this one's quite competent at what it sets out to do, showcasing a recent period while focusing on one young character's life, and how the milieu shaped an important part of his life.
One of the reasons we love looking back, reminiscing on various events in our past, is to hug that part of our lives that we never never hope to recapture, especially since, in the past, people seemed to be living in-the-moment unlike most today, that almost lives to capture said moments without being a part of it (actively, I mean - the focus is more on taking/framing selfies/ensembles rather than being there). While there is a sense of happiness/satisfaction at 'being-there', there is also a sense of regret that technology at that time prevented those moments to be immortalized, so there is a sense of begrudging what's happening nowadays, and voila, there comes along a movie like this that evokes quite a few memories in those who love re-living their past, especially the childhood aspect.
In trying to judge a movie of this sort, one tends to be more forgiving, criticizing less and reminiscing more.
I'm gonna try not to fall into that (honey/ed?) trap.
The narrative uses a flashback technique, that I have been tired of for more than a decade now (esp. since we know that the main character is in no peril whatsoever, and everything turned out fine for him in the end), that is no way helps the film in any way whatsoever. Whenever this stops, you'll find me being grateful.
The plot, such as it is, revolves around the main protagonist and his friends living through the 90's Calcutta, around blaring AIR and Doordarshan, living their lives, being the typical peeping toms they are, falling in love, playing football and the like.
What the movie does best is in etching out the characters very clearly, followed by having the casting done spot-on, and giving the characters the space and time needed to breathe, allowing us to immerse ourselves into this finely crafted, even nuanced world, where bad guys self-referentially, even pretentiously, quote Napoleon and whatnot (while also being disappointed at not having a sounding board while referencing something only a well-read person could recognize and respond to). The depiction of the relationships between these characters, and giving each of their threads some depth is also very compliment-worthy, since its never an easy thing during execution.
What the movie also does well is in all its technical departments, keeping things simple and contextual, with every area augmenting the tale being narrated, serving the plot's purpose and nothing else.
The score in particular needs to be singled out for bringing together a collection of easy listening numbers that play our organically as the movie progress, with each of them acting to move the plot forward rather than act as the typical speed-breakers they are in mainstream Indian cinema. Another one for film-makers to take note of and imbibe in their works (but who cares, right?).
Where I feel it faltered, is in tone. There are some major events that occur, that creamed out for their proper denouements, and the payoff while watching them play out, is simply non-existent (not the events themselves, but their eventual payoff/s). While I appreciate the choice made in not overdramatizing each of these events (while some may contend to the contrary), the choice made in terms of retaining the light tone throughout, seems kinda misplaced, and doing a disservice to the overall plot.
Sometimes, the overt attention called to period detail, as well as to minor quirks exhibited by various characters, including few who are completely unrelated to main plot playing out, seemed pretentious, and overkill.
But I'm happy to say that those aspects are ultimately minor nits to pick compared to how well-done the rest of the flick is.
Definitely worth a watch on the big screen, before it leaves multiplexes. -
amrkroy29 January 2019That's a must watch film. all the characters have been played so beautifully. that's a love for me.💜
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amrkroy29 January 2019That's a must watch film from my sight of eyes. all the character have been played so beautifully here. a lovely movie to watch & remember our teenage. ❤
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ruptanu-421343 August 2017This is not just a movie for the 90's kid who grew up in Kolkata, but an emotion which fills your heart with joy and sorrow at the same time. The journey of a boy in his adolescence at a place like north Kolkata (then Calcutta)is a path that most of us have taken. The success of the film is that it relates your life at that period at the most appropriately possible way. The events that take place in movie is very much our own experiences over that time. From the lifestyle of the boys to the football match between two localities, every second of the film reminds of our childhood.