83
Director: Kabir Khan
Year: 2021
Duration: 162 minutes
Music: NA
Rating: 7.5
The King of Sports.
Cricket. Originated in the 1700s and spread around the world by British imperialism.
Cricket and tea. Fortunately, the United States managed to avoid cricket
if not tea. Though they did their best in Boston. Too busy fomenting revolution
to spend hours playing the Gentleman's Game. If Lagaan wasn't enough cricket
for you, this Indian film should do the trick. 160 minutes of bowling and
batting. Of defeat and exultation. It is the story of India winning the Cricket
World Cup in 1983 against all odds. It was India's Miracle on Ice. By the
end, you will feel exhausted and be an honorary citizen of India. Though
the outcome is known to every Indian in every corner of the world, the film
manages to keep it suspenseful as we follow every game and what seems like
every swing. Music plays over the film, but there are no musical numbers
as there were in Lagaan. And I still don't really understand the game.
Eight countries make it to the World Cup
being played in England. England, Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand,
Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and India. Oh, for the days of the Empire. The West Indies
are heavily favored having won the last two World Cups. India is thought
to have no chance as they have not won a game ever in the World Cup. Even
most of the Indian players are in awe of the West Indies team. The British
press in their typical manner mock the Indians. When the Indian Team Captain
Kapil Dev (Ranveer Singh) says he is here to win, the press laughs. Fuckers.
I may not be Indian, but I felt it while watching this. Even ordered puris
and potato curry to eat along with the film.
Without going into too much detail, there
are moments of despair and heroics. Different players take their turn at
carrying the team when all seems lost. In the final they face the West Indies.
From what I gather, much of this is accurate. The actors are portraying the
real players and even looking like them. The playing feels authentic though
I have no idea if the actors can actually play at all. The film is of course
stuffed with patriotism, but of the best kind. Lots of bits take place in
India with people watching, Pakistan calling a cease fire so the Indian soldiers
at the border could listen, a rioting town coming to a communal standstill
as they watch the games and even Indira Gandhi getting into it. I won't be
needing another cricket movie for a long time, but I did enjoy this. On the
other hand, India won again in 2011 and I will wait for that film. Directed
by Kabir Khan.
