Category Archives: ET

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

The Good Boss: A Dark Workplace Comedy with a Bite

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Fernando León de Aranoa’s “The Good Boss” is a movie that will leave you entertained, yet disturbed. It’s a dark workplace comedy with a sharp edge, thanks to the excellent performance by Javier Bardem, who plays Julio Blanco, the head of a mid-sized company that makes and sells weight scales. Bardem’s charismatic presence makes Blanco’s megalomania, duplicity, and self-serving passive-aggression a captivating sight to behold.

De Aranoa’s script is another critical component of the movie’s success. The script has a tight cohesion and is nicely paced, with a great balance of storytelling and character development. The humor comes from unexpected places, making it all the more enjoyable.

Blanco’s company, Blanco Scales, is one of three finalists for a prestigious industry award. The award would provide much-needed subsidies, but it’s really about the glory. Blanco craves the adulation and has an empty trophy wall waiting for the award. With the awards committee set to make a surprise visit, Blanco wants to ensure that everything at the factory is in top form.

The film revolves around Blanco’s attempts to manage his employees and their problems before the awards committee shows up. Throughout the film, we meet a fun array of supporting characters, including Blanco’s friends, coworkers, and interns. The more Blanco meddles in their lives, the more complicated things get, and his paternal charade begins to crumble.

In summary, even at two hours, “The Good Boss” is engaging and entertaining, thanks to its sharp script and Bardem’s excellent performance. Bardem brings Blanco to life, and de Aranoa’s direction ensures that the story never loses its wit or its bite.

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies, OTT

Agni Devan: A Journey Through Relationships and Leadership

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Agni Devan is a character drama film that explores the leadership of a family newspaper by two brothers with contrasting opinions on how it should be run. One brother approaches the newspaper with a business mindset while the other (Mohanlal) prioritizes passion in his approach. This conflict reflects their ideological and attitudinal differences and creates tumult in family relationships.

Revathy plays a female cousin in the film who becomes caught up in the troubles between the two brothers. Her role as a bold and confident woman is characteristic of her acting abilities. The film is a treat for those who enjoy dialogue-centric dramas with well-defined characters. The interactions between Mohanlal and Revathy’s characters are particularly noteworthy and are executed with grace and depth.

One of the key features of the film is its sense of nativity and the cohesive identity of its setting and locality, which is a common characteristic of many Malayalam films from this period. The film has a few crude moments of physical scuffle, but overall, it is a well-crafted character drama that should appeal to those who appreciate strong characterizations and dialogue-driven narratives.

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

The Art of Filmmaking: K. Viswanath’s Career and the Craftsman Mindset

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K. Viswanath is a name that needs no introduction in the Indian film industry. With over five decades of experience and more than 80 films under his belt, Viswanath has made a mark as a legendary director and screenwriter. His unique style of storytelling and attention to detail have earned him a place in the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

In his book ‘So good they can’t ignore you’, Cal Newport talks about the principles of a ‘craftsman mindset’ and how it is the key to success and happiness. This mindset is characterized by a deep focus on developing one’s skills, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to quality. This is in stark contrast to the popular ‘passion hypothesis’ which suggests that pursuing your passions will lead to success and happiness.

K. Viswanath’s career is a prime example of the principles of the craftsman mindset. Let’s take a closer look at how Viswanath embodies these principles in his career and the impact it has had on his films.

  1. Focus on Developing Your Skills:
    • K. Viswanath’s journey to becoming a legendary filmmaker began with his focus on developing his skills. He started his career in the film industry as a sound engineer and worked tirelessly to perfect his craft. In this role, he developed a deep understanding of sound design and the impact it can have on a film.
    • He was meticulous in his attention to detail, always striving for the best possible sound quality in every film he worked on. This focus on developing his skills and his strong work ethic soon caught the attention of others in the film industry. He was offered the opportunity to work as an assistant director on several films, and it was here that he discovered his true passion for filmmaking. He continued to work tirelessly, always striving to learn more and perfect his craft.
    • Over time, he developed a deep knowledge of all aspects of filmmaking, from directing and screenwriting to cinematography and editing. This commitment to developing his skills and his relentless pursuit of excellence laid the foundation for the successful career he would go on to have as a filmmaker.
  2. Strong Work Ethic: Dressed in Khakhi on the movie locations, K. Viswanath is known for his tireless work ethic and his commitment to delivering high-quality films. He is dedicated to his craft and his unwavering focus on delivering the best possible film. In his film ‘Swathi Muthyam’, Viswanath shows his ability to bring a complex story to life and his determination to make every aspect of the film perfect.
  3. Attention to Detail: K. Viswanath is known for his meticulous attention to detail, which is evident in every aspect of his films. He pays close attention to the smallest details, from the lighting and camera work to the performances of his actors. In his film ‘Sankarabharanam’, Viswanath showcases his ability to bring the intricate details of classical music to life and his commitment to quality.
  4. Passion through Mastery: K. Viswanath’s passion for filmmaking has grown over the years as he has mastered his craft. He has developed a deep love for filmmaking through his commitment to perfecting his skills and his unwavering dedication to quality. In his film ‘Saptapadi’, Viswanath demonstrates his passion for storytelling and his ability to evoke deep emotions through his characters.

In conclusion, K. Viswanath’s career is a testament to the power of the craftsman mindset. He has focused on developing his skills, demonstrated a strong work ethic, paid attention to detail, and developed a passion for filmmaking through mastery. His films are a timeless reminder of the impact that can be made through hard work and dedication to one’s craft.