Review of Pather Panchali (1955) by Brett C — 10 Aug 2014

Review In A Nutshell:

Pather Panchali would mark as both the first films that I have experienced from Satyajit Ray and Indian cinema, therefore I did not know what to expect coming into this. Since I was going into this film blind, I had to be patient with it and not let my first judgement define my overall opinion of the film. The film may be a slow-burner, but it didn't take long for me to be impressed with it.

This is a sort of film that requires patience and the correct mindset for the audience, as Pather Panchali takes its time in fleshing out its characters and for any significant drama to actually occur. The film essentially follows an Indian family that resides in the province, exploring the physical, emotional, and psychological difficulties that they had to endure. I admire Satyajit Ray's handling of the film's story, allowing the film's complication be always present on its characters; their difficulties is not found during a single event, the battle is found in their daily lifestyle, trying to feed themselves, send the children to school, earning wages in order to make their living situation bearable. I was able to care so much for their problems because I came from a country that features this lifestyle as commonplace. I was fortunate enough to be part of the middle class section of society, therefore I never had to physically be in the position that the family in this film were in.

Before seeing this film, I had always somewhat envied the simplistic lifestyle and values of a province family, as from a distance I have always seen them as peaceful beings whose only goal in their day is to have the bare essentials. Pather Panchali has allowed me to see the situation in a more personal and intimate light; as of now, I could not be more grateful for the position I am in. The fact that I have an intact home, more than enough food to eat, and employment opportunities are not too difficult to come by, makes me both happy and sad.

My main issue with the film is that the pacing of the film feels too steady at times, lacking any sort of intensity or drama during the middle sections of the film. The film's 40 minutes has explored the family thoroughly, therefore by then the film should have delivered something that would impact its characters heavily, which the film does deliver but not until the final act of the film. It takes too long for the film to arrive at that point, leaving me a bit unfocused during the some of the events that takes place in the second act.

The choice of having the film be shot on location may be primarily due to the fact that the budget was limited for the production of this film, but I personally feel it helped capture the authenticity of the character's living situation. It was as if, I wasn't watching a film, but rather these individuals were living and breathing right in front of me. Also due to the budget reasons, the film was shot in black and white which I think helped in capturing the difficulties and their internal suffering due to their lifestyle.

I have always had a curiosity to explore Indian music, as there is something about it feels so soothing. Ravi Shankar's sitar based score, allowed this sense of immersion to the Indian provincial environment. Though effective in that regard, I did feel his work could have packed more punch in delivering the film's emotion, as the major event that takes fold in the film's third act lacked a bit power in its attempt to become melancholy.

Pather Panchali is a wonderful depiction of provincial life and also a great starting point for exploring the cinema of India and legendary director, Satyajit Ray.