Truly Dreadful Film

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I had 3 main problems with this movie. One of them is personal...I just don't like this kind of teenage love story but that problem can't be blamed on the movie.The other two were issues involving the casting. The girl is completely unconvincing as a male...her tiny hands and feet ....absolutely no one would believe that she was a male which ruins a key premise of the movie. With out this key premise the whole story falls apart.The other is that the lead male is impossible to warm to. He is so non photogenic. Surely they could have found a more sympathetic and better looking actor for the role. This actor has what the French call a bad head. Also he overacts terribly or doesn't know how to act I don't know which. He looks like someone in a reality TV series, the only thing he doesn't do is hold his hands over his mouth to show surprise. The girl and most of the other actors are much easier to feel pathos for mainly because they don't over act. I can't help comparing him to the really great amateur child actor in Central Station. This guy is infinitely worse.Another thing about the story that rings false is that Memar the head of the construction site is a Mother Teresa...he always gives in to every need and want...such a person would have gone into permanent bankruptcy years before. It is just overdone that is all.Still it was kind of fun to watch I like the how the natural background noise makes you feel like you are there. Things like the birds and the water sounds.It doesn't deserve world class praise but how typical that is. Anything different or politically in walks away with all the prizes.His other movie The Color of Paradise is better rent it instead. This is your review, you may delete or edit it.

The film is a typical Iranian film. It is like others, relying completely on the human emotions. The story is about the life of construction workers at a site. It focuses on the Afgan people living in a stressful environment all the time. Main concentration is upon two individuals. Things went with such a nice pace that hardly anyone can criticize about the character analysis or any other aspect. The film is very good in its genre of simplicity.PROS: Developing emotions can never be seen more properly than in an Iranian film. The best part is that you forget to focus on the acting of the characters and just want to know how the film would end.CONS: I liked everything in the film but towards the end everything seemed to be too much. I just cannot grasp that properly.Message: "Love is beautiful." Verdict: "A recommended watch."

Majidi's 'Baran' is cinema at its purest. There is no background music. No prominent special effect. The female lead does not speak a word. It's filmed in the simplest way. It's not a colourful film and yet it is so stunning to look at because the raw Iranian landscape is beautifully captured. Majidi's films have always been subtle. He depicts the hardship of Afghan refugees in Iran very well especially the struggle between both the Iranians and the Afghans and the consequences. The story revolves around Lateef and the title character Baran. Initially Lateef loathes her but as his attraction towards Baran grows stronger, he is drawn towards her. Their love story is beautifully displayed as pure and innocent. Not a word is exchanged between Lateef and Baran and this simply shows that love need not be explained with words or even touch but with action and Lateef's sacrifice proves the depth of his love. Majidi also adds a touch of humour that adds to the genuine charm of the film. He makes some astonishingly clever use of symbolism such as the last scene when Lateef looks back at Baran's footprint (after she has departed), it represents the print she left on his heart. Hossein Abedini is fantastic as Lateef. His sublime transformation from the brattish, selfish and vindictive boy to the passionate, kind and selfless lover is phenomenal. Moreover the fact that a newcomer played the part makes it more incredible. The young and stunning Zahra Bahrami is equally amazing. The actress does not get one line to say yet her non-verbal acting is stupendous. The supporting cast, though most of them include non-professionals, look authentic. To me 'Baran' was truly a unique and enlightening experience. Films like this are a rare 'breed'. They are not easy to find.

There are directors who give one or two classics and are considered immortal and than there's Majid who gives classic back to back. Well I don't have word for him.Baran is one such film from the director who has given us Children of Heaven. The simplicity of the film and the simplicity of cinematography are exemplary. Way the beauty of Iraq is captured is amazing. Each scene is aesthetic yet poignant. With minimal dialogues and no dialogues for the girl playing the title role it is quite an experimental film. If any one has noticed the film there are only on three instances that background score comes into play and during this time you will notice that we are watching a movie and not a documentary. They cast which was mostly non-professional actors looks authentic and spontaneous. The technical aspects are simple like an achievement. And last scene when rain (Baran) starts pouring down to fill the mark created by Baran's shoes is overwhelming.To write about the director will be like undermining his work. In one word he is brilliant.If you have not seen it you are completely missing one genre of films.