As Good As It Gets

A Masterpiece!

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

For a number of reasons this films stands out among the myriad mass produced Hindi films which the industry turns out. This isn't your average Hindi film for the very simple reason that it deals with a controversial theme - an extra-marital relationship. The script, barring a few flaws, is exceptionally good. The same can be said of the acting. Amitabh is simply brilliant. You cannot see any other actor taking his place. In the beginning of the film he plays the clown. The transformation of his persona in the face of getting married to a woman he does not love, is something only an actor of Amitabh's calibre could have pulled off. His role is central to the film, and it is quite exceptionally played. Then he is once again at his clowning best when he sings Rang Barse in his own voice.I would have given this film 10 out of 10, if it were not for the ending. You get the impression that the film makers were in a hurry to end the film.

This movie was just about everything I hoped it would be, except for the stupid tacked-on ending. Rekha and Amitabh are up there with Shah Rukh and Kajol as a great couple of Hindi cinema, and I loved seeing them together. (Jaya...not so much.) I just thought, like many here, that for a movie portraying adultery with such sensitivity and compassion--and adultery with true love on its side--the ending seemed totally contradictory and kind of like a bashful retraction. Even though it wasn't well explained, or at all explained, I at least understand the concept of him returning to his wife out of guilt and a sense of duty (I especially liked the line about him having to stay a god once he's decided to act like one), but the FAITH IS LOVE part at the end really seemed unnecessary. You can't tell me that after all of that, the relationship between Amitabh and Jaya was more lasting than the one between Amitabh and Rekha--not to mention more powerful or more sincere. I mean, seriously.

Good movie BUT i was sadly disappointed by the ending.The beginning starts off with Jaya and Shashi which i have to say they made a nice couple then he dies and all of a sudden Amitabh has to hold responsibility and break it off with Rekha..FOR WHAT! i didn't like Jaya's character she seemed very weak and helpless and not of the women like today. the movie didn't elaborate on why Amitabh went back to Jaya it just didn't make any sense and then love is faith and faith is love ...WHAT? when did we learn that from Amitabh and Jaya's pairing in this movie? if anything i think the story should have ended with Rekha and Amitabh.this movie depicts the real life situation it just didn't make any sense why it ended like that. I bought this move after hearing such great things about it ....but now i'm really disappointed with this film for me i give it a 9/10. I give it a 9/10 because of the ending which didn't tell you much about why they got back together.Faith is love but ........... Jaya Amitabh clearly did not prove that to me in this film . In the end though i feel that Amitbah and Rekha should have gotten together.

Silsila is based on the true story of Amitabh, Jaya, and Rekha. As with many great movies that don't follow the typical Bollywood format this was a big flop when it was released, and yet there is no one today who hasn't seen it. Like most Yash Chopra films this one looks great and so are the songs, especially the first two: "sar se sareke" and "ladki hai yaa sholaa" (I probably didn't spell that right). Unlike most of Amitabh's films this is more of an ensemble piece and the whole cast delivers. Amitabh gives a powerhouse performance as the poet whose life is suddenly shattered and he's forced to give up his happiness for Jaya. Jaya is also perfect and matches him all the way. Sanjeev Kumar steals every scene he's in especially the one at the airport with Rekha and the one when he's talking to Jaya at the hospital. Rekha is good although her performance is the weakest of the four. Shashi Kapoor does what he can in his small role. The subject matter was handled nicely by the writers (they never get too preachy) and there are many scenes, especially the ones between Amit and Jaya, and Rekha and Jaya where you wonder how that scene took place in real life. They also succeed with making you sympathize with all 4 individuals - (that might be why they were all willing to make the movie). I give this movie a 9 out of 10. The only thing that stops me from giving it a 10 is the ending. We aren't given a reason as to why Amitabh makes the decision that he makes. Also the big revelation from Jaya at the end of the movie doesn't really make sense. Apart from that the movie is flawless and a must see.