Heer Ranjha

I didn't know this was Romeo and Juliet until it was nearly over and if you are not familiar with R & J it would be a better picture with an element of surprise.But you can't fault the plot and the scenes, acting, dancing, and imagery are tops.

This pertains to a film by the same name running in Montreal Quebec November 2009 at the AMC cinema-I am not even sure if the 1992 production listed on IMDb as most recent is the same version that I saw-if what I saw was more recent then what I saw was the 9th remake of this film-first made in 1928, if the info posted in IMDb is correct. An odd modernization of an old tale in the version I saw involves depicting soft drug use as a socially acceptable pass-time in the India of 1700AD or so, which is when it looks to be set time wise. I have an interest in cinema from around the world, and one thing that is indisputable is that the leading actress in the film I saw is a great looking actress for sure. However I did not find it an uplifting film in general despite the beautiful female lead and some very catchy dance oriented songs that pop up from time to time in the film-that and some very well done flute music also. The ending is fairly dismal to me, and it was a long film at 2 and one half hours...well, you pays your money and you takes your chances-fine if you like going to films to see rich costumes and colourful settings, maybe not so wonderful if you like happy endings.