"Guzaarish" is a very surprising and unexpected film from director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Although he has done similar fare before, this is a very personal film for him and everyone involved because of the subject matter it deals with. Ethan (Hrithik Roshan) is a former magician who is now confined to a bed because he is paralyzed from the neck down. He lives his life by making other people happy through a radio show he hosts. Hrithik nails his performance. I actually tried to find if any other part of his body moved in any of the scenes, I couldn't, he was perfect. It's refreshing to see him restrained and what he can do with limited movements; we are so used to seeing him gyrating his body with his incredible dancing. He loses himself in the character completely. He is desperate, angry, enthusiastic and even a little bit insane and he communicates all this very well even with what little he has to work with. Aishwarya Rai gives a very controlled and strong performance as his Nurse Sophia. There are wonderful unknown supporting actors in this as well who give commendable performances. This is not Bhansali's best but it's definitely worth checking out for the great performances and the subject matter it deals with, which is Euthanasia. After years of struggling with no hope for a cure Ethan wants to end his life but the courts of Goa won't let him. Much of the film is spent on his case while his lawyer and doctor both try to convince the judge to grant Ethan his wish. The conclusion is surprising, sad and uplifting at the same time. It really gives the audience a lot to think about. The one thing I would have liked to see is more scenes of Ethan as a magician and his past life, I was very curious to see what that was like. What the film shows is almost a tease. Like all of SLB films, "Guzaarish" is beautiful and touches you in unexpected ways. There is one heartbreaking scene when Ethan's mother passes away and he sings "What a wonderful world" at her funeral. It is Hrithik himself singing and it's poignant and genuine. Unlike "Devdas" and "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" this film is not for everyone, but it's certainly an important one for both Bollywood and SLB himself. Give it chance, you just might like it.
