The White Tiger - 2021
Directed By : Ramin Bahrani
The White Tiger have many kind of problems, but they are not very stark. They are not significant, but still quite obstruct this film to be a lot better than what it is. This is awkward, lukewarm and confusing film throughout, but enjoying nonetheless. As an adaptation of Arvind Adiga's Booker Prize winning book, this film is somewhat accurate and faithful to its source material. The book was also quite lukewarm and confusing. And if I am allowed to be little more critical, it was gimmicky. And the film somewhat makes that gimmick much more obvious and visible here.
There are instances where you have to join the universal opinion and question your own judgment because of it. When you read a book or watch a film, people are so crazed about that piece of work, but you don't see the greatness of the work which the people around you are referring to. And more often than not, you question your own judgement in that case rather than refusing universal opinion. Perhaps maybe you missed something? You find yourself in a strange position, where you can't totally back your judgement nor you can accept that popular view as well. I am in a same dilemma in the case of The White Tiger, in case both the book and the film as well.
The praise, I really understand. The White Tiger provides an appreciable social commentary. It is an apt and entertaining social satire of poorer part of Indian society. It depicts the problems of poorer section with enough sympathy. And they particularly depict the manners of them interestingly, though little exaggerated. There is some underlying rage the poor of India feels throughout the film. It is certainly much more than it seems.
The problems here, though, are the confusing devices used for depiction of plight and rage of Indian poor and hypocrisies of its privileged society. And it was quite present book as well. For instance, I never felt comfortable with the gimmicky act of Balram's writing a letter to a Chinese Premier, and telling his story through that letter. Or perhaps, Adiga was implying something through it. The use of English as the only language in the film is also quite confusing. They speak in English but they swear in most detestable and vulgar Hindi words possible. That is also quite confusing, though it is justified as a creative choice. The metaphors are naive and extremely simplistic. Perhaps Adiga wants to tell us here as well that, that's how Balram sees the world, and everything we see is through his eyes. And that makes sense. But it really doesn't work here.
The film suffers from White or Western gaze. It is both engaging and interesting, but at the same time very shallow and superficial. The anti-slumdog approach as well, is rather annoying. Knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, Slumdog was more much effective, if not accurate in its depiction of some of the harrowing realities of Indian society and culture. And it was way more entertaining as well. No comparison should be made but the film itself, in one of the scenes mocks the slumdog approach.
The White Tiger will be placed among films such as Green Book, and for the same reasons. And both are very good films but they are not so particular enlightening about already existing problems. They repeat the same clichés and even add their own to them. For instance, I couldn't understand why the multiple shots of buffaloes in the middle of the road was necessary, or why the act of bribery was shown with statue of Gandhi in the frame. Or why it was necessary for The Stork to be that abusive, only for the sake of it. Or simply showing character literally shitting in open, showing it unapologetically and trying to shock the audience. It was very unnatural. Being flawed and being aware of it, and still acknowledging unapologetically them is one thing. But being flawed and ignoring the obvious mistakes and still trying to be preachy instead is rather annoying.
Though with all these problems, it was surprisingly watchable, even engaging. The directorial skills were surely admirable. The actors who did not gave the best or even near best roles, they were enjoying nonetheless. Particularly Rajkumar Rao, who is way more talented than what he seems here, was awkward but still done his part well. It was perfect role for Priyanka Jonas though. She was a driving force for this film to come true and also the conscious of the film. Adarsh Gaurav, who is so praised for his performance here, certainly deserves that praise. The music was catchy. The visuals were contrasting and particularly well executed. There was certainly a purpose in their looking so different.
I think certainly that no film can actually get all things right, if it comes to portray India, and especially not Hollywood. Though the efforts were admirable. If not for anything, it is indeed interesting to understand that how people from outside see and perceive your culture. I was enjoying the film throughout. But the film never went beyond the surface level. When I saw Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, I wasn't convinced about how he showed the place and labelled it superficial. But in retrospect, it was unapologetic and somewhat made clear that it was not an accurate description of the place, but rather his own experience with the county and putting it on screen with his usual idiosyncrasy and unusual features. And that is perhaps better than trying to be accurate and being massively unsuccessful in it. We need more films like the former.
Rating: ★★★
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