Chaitanya Tamhane's Court approaches many fascinating and bitingly topical subjects for a constantly changing India. When those to the west think of India, we often imagine the hustle and bustle depicted in Slumdog Millionaire coupled with the energy and glittery elegance of Bollywood movies. Court is a slower burn with incredible wide cinematography that captures a disquieting stillness. It's almost like a political thriller where no-one can be trusted, but it's not a film that relies on tension or conclusions. It studies the westernisation of Indian culture through its network of characters, darting between the folk singer Sharmila Pawar and his 'Americanised' defence lawyer Vinay Voya, but without peeling back their layers. It's not interested in the characters as people but what they represent in the situation, wherein Pawar is being tried for inciting a man to suicide through his songs.

Instead, it contrasts the old with the new, with Indian traditions and the updates of the youths, aesthetically and with their behaviour. The courtroom drama prods at this aspect with old laws being questioned for being outdated and how they should be reconsidered. It seems a lack of compromise is also part of tradition and is something that contemporary Indians wants to implement. The film also studies the effect of art, questioning whether folk music can really change a government and if it does influence bad things incidentally, can it be held accountable? The power of poetry is a strange thing in a world drenched in culture. What counts as a performance when art is so fluid? Where do we draw the line between coincidence and crime? Court is a very dry but very thought-provoking and highly intelligent film that raises important questions about the world we live in, albeit it could've been improved by a bit more character work and a concise ending.

8/10

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Chaitanya Tamhane's 'Court' examines the nature of the Indian Judiciary System. The first-time Writer-Director delivers A Frighteningly Good Film, that hits you like a ton of bricks.

'Court' Synopsis: A sewerage worker's dead body is found inside a manhole in Mumbai. An aging folk singer is tried in court on charges of his supposed suicide. He is accused of performing an inflammatory song which might have incited the worker to commit the act. As the trial unfolds, the personal lives of the lawyers and the judge involved in the case are observed outside the court.

'Court' is about justice & injustice. The narrative makes you laugh (intentionally) & also questions your depiction of what's right or wrong. Is Freedom of Speech right? Is an accusation enough for us to keep a man behind the bars? Is it right to prolong a case, till it ages beyond imagination. Is the law fighting for what's right? Tamhane's Screenplay is shocking & hard-hitting. But, this isn't a depressing tale, its an interesting one, that keeps you engrossed. Tamhane's Direction is subtle, very life-like. The Cinematography captures the journey of its characters, with a sense of paranoia. The Performances are effective, with all the actors delivering perfectly.

'Court' has been selected as the official entry to the Oscars from India Today. And if the campaign goes right, it will give its terrific competitors a good fight.

Of course the judiciary is not complex for people who know. It looks complex only to the people who don't know. And Chaitanya Tamhane's debut is just that - portraying the judiciary and its invisible background from all available perspectives.

The story about a rebellious folk singer Narayan (Vira Sathidar) who finds himself on the other side of judiciary is an honest critique of the judicial system of world's largest democracy. Narayan is allegedly accused of abetting a sewage cleaner's suicide. While there is no prologue shown in particular, one will follow the plot as it advances. Then starts the real courtroom drama between the people responsible to bring out justice.

Now, the highlight of the film is it reminds us that the people involved in this drama are also human beings and have lives to live and families to care for. The plot focuses on each of these characters with ultra finesse. For example, the climactic sequence shows the carefree attitude of a character who is otherwise constantly sincere and adroit and sharp at his characteristic (portrayal),which is a major part of the judiciary. And that is the single reason why one should choose to watch the film. However, there is a shift in the focus where the plot moves to these characters, concentrating on the subject, but abandoning the protagonist. The mentality of all the people (from the judge to the stock witness) is written with extra diligence and is brought out like pieces of a pie which may not put an end to the apathy that happens around us in reality, but may at least satisfy the armchair activist the hunger he/she has sustained since long. Other than the primary story, there are at least three brief tales that attached before or after, in and around, and further adds to the experience.

Brisk, and sometimes humorous, dialogs that strike the point and take potshots at the way judicial system works in India is real pleasure to watch. And if you understand Marathi, then lo, you are in for a few hearty chuckles. The photography is irreverently smart, especially for the parts where the film takes the track of inconsequential ending, which on the other hand, may disappoint few. Plus, this is the first time I have seen such a great subtitling work. Kudos!

BOTTOM LINE: There are many reasons to watch Chaitanya Tamhane's directorial debut and the omission of an item dance is one of them. Agile yet snappy storytelling. 7/10 - recommended!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES