Aishwarya Rai Movie:

				Label: Adlabs Salesrank: 72056 Released: March 13, 2007
		Our Price: $4.99
		MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Guru (Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai) DVD Reviews:
Arty movie that may not be for everyone
2008-12-28 - This is a hard one to review. For one thing I couldnt get through it and bounced between fast forwards to see if it shifted.
It depicts years from 1951 onwards with the movie quality of the day for effect. So the film texture and colour emulates the old and there are lots of little breaks in movement if someone is running for instance. They really achieved the look of the times but I found it alienated me fro the emotion presented. I'm not an arthouse fan but filmies may well find a lot to like in this movie.
It is a sociopolitical piece that has a realistic, almost documentary feel about it. There was one review up when I wrote this and I refer you there for more of the plot. Unfortunately I didn't get to the bit about India riding on the coattails of the West. That may well be so and I as a Westerner support them finding their own way differently. However the early bit showed more that their own corruption and egos may be as much, if not more, of a challenge in turning things around. Not that they are the only country with those challenges!
Abhishek does what may be his best work to date in the movie and the tenderness and chemistry between be and Aishwarya are palpable.
Unfortunately the subtitles were unusually a problem. The grasp of English wasn't as good as Indians usually have it. Many of the subtitles made no sense, substitutes vaguely similar looking words like 'league' for 'luggage' so often I was working hard to decipher what was being said rather than absorbing the movie.
I found one or two memorable songs but it's not really a song and dance movie. The dances are more traditional in style (in keeping with the era depicted).
So I didn't relate nor find it powerful as advertised (but would have liked to as it is obviously well executed in many ways). I have a Sri Lankan friend who recommended it and she usually only likes light and fluffy romances with no violence. So will you like it? If you are into Ab and Ash you'll want it and if you like arthouse there are things to explore. If you like realistic sociopolitical stuff or are interested in India and its history it may be for you.
I wished I could have got into this more (and understood many of the subtitles). I'm giving it 4 stars for creativity, thoughtful execution and fine acting- and because it is probably an important sociopolitical movie for those that enjoy that. Unfortunately my enjoyment of it wasn't at that level but I don't want to dissuade viewing of this on my taste.

"Shall We Tell The World That We Are Coming?" ~ A Clarion Call From India To The World
2008-07-27 - Note: Hindi with English subtitles.

Synopsis: After a brief working experience in Istanbul young dreamer and visionary Gurukant decides he has worked long enough for the "white man" and returns to his native India to star his own business. His initial battle against widespread corruption in his Motherland is at first laudatory and inspiring but as Guru's wealth and power grow he appears to have become as bad, if not worse than the forces that once held him back. When all is finally said and done the question that the viewer is left to ponder is whether it's our responsibility to martyr ourselves in an effort to change an already flawed system or our right to work within the boundaries of that corruption in order to make a better life for ourselves and the ones we love?

Critique: Before the opening credits have disappeared from view `Guru' literally explodes on the screen with two amazingly fast paced musical numbers that will have you waiting breathlessly for what is to follow. However you will definitely be surprised to discover the story about to unfold before you is nothing like what you might have expected judging by the exhilarating, upbeat beginning.

`Guru' is an intense exploration into third world political and economic corruption as seen and experienced through the eyes of the films star Abhishek Bachchanin the role of Gurukant. Strangely enough, dispite his taking advantage of the system in place and partaking in somewhat dubious activities to succeed he is looked upon as a dreamer and visionary. This is indeed an important film and quite visionary in a manner that might go unnoticed by viewers in the West. This is a film with a message to the rest of the world. If you have any doubt about this listen carefully to Gurukant's final words.

India is tired of working for the "white man" and watching the West prosper while they continue to languish in poverty. They despise being called a Third World country and are poised to step into the 21st century an equal in every way. `Guru' is like the sounding of a great trumpet awakening its people to respond to the challenges ahead and they are listening. While this is a very good film that can stand on its own merits, I believe this message of hope and liberation has struck a cord with its intended audience and has a lot to do with the success this of film.