Court (En instance)

I loved this film for it's simple and real depiction of Indian courts.

This is as close as it can get in depicting how the Indian judicial courts deal cases. Please note that this film is not exactly about a particular case, but it was more so a comment on how the judicial system works in India. Although, a case was taken to represent the judicial procedures, I looked at this film as a showcase of the process in itself.

There is a lot of reflection of reality which is a rarity in Indian films. We have camouflaged films or those which in the name of depicting reality show us the perspective of makers. The best realistic film was "Black Friday" as per me and this comes the second best. Second only because it did not have an engaging storyline or one that we would be keen to know, All it has, is a case at best about a man who is accused of raging emotions.

This is a Marathi film and I commend the fact that Marathi films have come a long way. They have made films like "Shwaas" "Deool" and many others which are like the reflection of the possibility of Indian cinema. Sadly, very few films have explored Indian emotions, Indian mindset and told Indian stories with utmost honesty.

I applaud the director Chaitanya Tamhane for not putting in any drama and also from refraining from any commercial elements and showing things as they are.

Performances are true to the characters by each one. From a sweeper to a lawyer and judge, everyone played their role as they would live it if it was their own life. The camera was used as a tool to capture the happenings instead of making anyone conscious of its presence.

I am going with 4/5. Loved it but I doubt if I would sit through this another time.

If you're expecting a mainstream courtroom drama which would focus upon one case and move forward dramatically then you're badly misled. Court in fact is a unique portrayal of how the legal system works in India. It has showed the miscarriage of justice by focusing upon lives of the 4 main characters which heavily determines the outcome of the case they are involved in. As a layman not knowing legal system inside-out you would believe that lawyers are perfect and Judges are God-sent, impartial beings who would deliver justice no matter what, and theoretically that is how it is supposed to be. But this movie focuses upon how these people are as much human beings as you are and how their personal lives usually have direct or indirect impact upon the case and its outcome. Media usually ignores these issues because such undercurrents are usually unnoticeable and difficult to be proved and delivered to lay man. Secondly the movie has hired an outstanding cast. Not one character you would believe is a fanciful picture perfect character as portrayed in other mainstream movies but rather they have tried really hard to keep the characters as natural as possible which helps substantiate the story more convincingly. That is what I believe makes the movie stand out from the rest. Thirdly as many of you must have noticed the movie does take a slower pace than we're generally used to but I guess that is because the Director didn't intend to reach somewhere at the end of the movie (like a Judgement, or a climax). His focus was on the lives of the people and hence the movie tend to have taken that pace. Overall its a brilliant movie not complimenting the mainstream movies and I believe a movie with a message which is the need of the hour.

Chaitanya Tamhane's Court approaches many fascinating and bitingly topical subjects for a constantly changing India. When those to the west think of India, we often imagine the hustle and bustle depicted in Slumdog Millionaire coupled with the energy and glittery elegance of Bollywood movies. Court is a slower burn with incredible wide cinematography that captures a disquieting stillness. It's almost like a political thriller where no-one can be trusted, but it's not a film that relies on tension or conclusions. It studies the westernisation of Indian culture through its network of characters, darting between the folk singer Sharmila Pawar and his 'Americanised' defence lawyer Vinay Voya, but without peeling back their layers. It's not interested in the characters as people but what they represent in the situation, wherein Pawar is being tried for inciting a man to suicide through his songs.

Instead, it contrasts the old with the new, with Indian traditions and the updates of the youths, aesthetically and with their behaviour. The courtroom drama prods at this aspect with old laws being questioned for being outdated and how they should be reconsidered. It seems a lack of compromise is also part of tradition and is something that contemporary Indians wants to implement. The film also studies the effect of art, questioning whether folk music can really change a government and if it does influence bad things incidentally, can it be held accountable? The power of poetry is a strange thing in a world drenched in culture. What counts as a performance when art is so fluid? Where do we draw the line between coincidence and crime? Court is a very dry but very thought-provoking and highly intelligent film that raises important questions about the world we live in, albeit it could've been improved by a bit more character work and a concise ending.

8/10

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Watching Court is a unique experience. Its lazy elegance and life like sets. Definitely not for masses.

COURT MOVIE REVIEW- Just watched Court movie and couldn't stop myself by clapping in the end of the movie.read so many reviews and film has already got the national award so my expectations were sky high.i was expecting a masterpiece.and i am very proud to say that Marathi cinema has given us another masterpiece.an eye opener movie with complete realistic screenplay.film has a simple story,a folk singer get arrested by police and then whatever happens in a court is all about the script.no melodrama,no action,no vulgarity,no turning points only a simple story gets going and leave us with an eye opening message.film shows us the atmosphere inside the court and also the corrupt outside world.a brilliant message of how bad is the mentality of well educated Judge we have in our system.a common man has much knowledge,mind n sense than educated people.a true face of lawyers,police and some poverty caste peoples of our society.don't know from where director Chaitnya got idea to make a movie on this topic.but i must say he has done a fabulous job here.a natural and realistic screenplay takes the quality of movie to the high level.all actors are almost new faces and freshers,who does not have any big film or experience on their names but here they all have done a brilliant job.completely natural acting by them is just out of the world.film has no songs and doesn't even need it.camera work is damn awesome.story,screenplay are completely natural and realistic.i want to mention one more thing here,Dialouges..! The most loved part of the film for me.that conversation of lawyers is just wow.with the ease they delivers it is impossible for any other actor.my request to all who are reading this review,go and watch this masterpiece but only if you know and understand the meaning of class and quality.strongly recommended to classes.50% dialogs are in English so masses you please don't watch it,you keep watching that masala and entertaining stuff..no wonder why this movie got ''Best Indian Film'' award in national awards,you guys deserves it..final words,kudos and salute to the team of ''Court'' for giving us this masterpiece...