Court (2014) User Reviews

Very interesting courtroom drama from India

[Andy-296 · 8/10 · 13 March 2016]

An enthralling courtroom drama from India. Set in Mumbai, the film is about a 65 year old folk singer and social activist accused of inciting a suicide after one of his songs performed in a street festival apparently cause a sewerage worker to kill himself. The singer denies the charge, and in fact it is not even clear whether this was a suicide or an accident. A long trial, full of arcane procedures and where the activist has all the cards stacked against him, ensues.

Interestingly, all of the characters in the trial come from different classes. The judge, a particularly distasteful individual, comes from the highest class milieu (we get this only from a coda at the end), the defending lawyer comes from what in India would be an upper middle class (he clearly has taken this case for idealistic reasons, not monetary gain), the female prosecutor from a lower middle class, and the folk singer himself belongs clearly to the working class. On the bottom of the social ladder are the dead janitor and his widow, which are almost certainly illiterate.

Perhaps one of the few flaws in the movie is that we did not get to know enough of the accused. He has a life long history of social protest and radical activism, but is not clear in the movie, at least to a non Indian, what are the views he has held that the Government finds so offensive. Is he an advocate of Dalit rights? Of regional separatism? (the prosecutor accuses him at one point of endangering India's integrity). The movie focuses more on the other characters in the trial (we also see part of their daily life) than in the singer.

An absolute gem of a satire

[darpanthacker · 9/10 · 27 April 2015]

I heard of this movie through various critics and decided to catch it at nearby cinema hall. The experience was a total satisfaction.

The movie is a satire on Indian judicial system and has been dealt with so beautifully that it neither delivers the message on the face nor it becomes offensive at any point. It is an absolute gem. Though the movie is in Marathi language the subtitles attached to it help an average moviegoer.

The movie does not have too much of moving camera shots and in most of the scenes, director just places the camera at one location and the events unfold in a still frame. This is such a wonderful piece of art that despite no known faces and no fancy camera work the movie works. Not just works but its bang on target.

I would strongly recommend this movie to any sane and rational movie buff for quite a few days to come.

Moves away from a mainstream courtroom drama & rather focuses upon the miscarriage of justice due to dysfunctional legal system.

[dipti_sawant · 7/10 · 21 April 2015]

If you're expecting a mainstream courtroom drama which would focus upon one case and move forward dramatically then you're badly misled. Court in fact is a unique portrayal of how the legal system works in India. It has showed the miscarriage of justice by focusing upon lives of the 4 main characters which heavily determines the outcome of the case they are involved in. As a layman not knowing legal system inside-out you would believe that lawyers are perfect and Judges are God-sent, impartial beings who would deliver justice no matter what, and theoretically that is how it is supposed to be. But this movie focuses upon how these people are as much human beings as you are and how their personal lives usually have direct or indirect impact upon the case and its outcome. Media usually ignores these issues because such undercurrents are usually unnoticeable and difficult to be proved and delivered to lay man. Secondly the movie has hired an outstanding cast. Not one character you would believe is a fanciful picture perfect character as portrayed in other mainstream movies but rather they have tried really hard to keep the characters as natural as possible which helps substantiate the story more convincingly. That is what I believe makes the movie stand out from the rest. Thirdly as many of you must have noticed the movie does take a slower pace than we're generally used to but I guess that is because the Director didn't intend to reach somewhere at the end of the movie (like a Judgement, or a climax). His focus was on the lives of the people and hence the movie tend to have taken that pace. Overall its a brilliant movie not complimenting the mainstream movies and I believe a movie with a message which is the need of the hour.

The Everyday Violence of the Court

[dirac-spinor2015 · 2 February 2015]

Chaitanya Tamhane's directorial debut, Court, is a multilingual, award- winning film on the "quiet violence" of the judicial system and how the State uses it to suppress political activists. Financed by the Hubert- Bals Fund and private equity, it opened to rave reviews and won Best Director and Best Film in the International Competition section of the 16th Mumbai Film Festival. It also premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier in the year, where it won the Lion of the Future Award for the best first feature. Court successfully invokes the mood of a trial based on patently ridiculous charges, conducted with no intent other than disciplining and harassment of an activist. A phenomenon that is all too common in India. The theme is very timely given the increasingly intolerant nature of the Indian State and the large number of political prisoners languishing in jail all across the country.

The film follows the trial of Narayan Kamble (Vira Sathidar), a Dalit political activist and lokshahir (people's poet) who is arrested on stage during a performance in Bombay on charges of "abetment of suicide." The police claim that Kamble has penned and performed "incendiary" lyrics calling on Dalits to "drown themselves in sewage" provoking a municipal sanitation worker to actually take his own life by drowning in the very sewer it is his duty to clean. The absurdity of the charge is matched by the (mock?) seriousness with which it is pursued but the police and the officials of the Sessions court. While the politics of false charges and suppression of activists via legal means is an important theme in the film, Tamhane also uses the context of the trial to explore the everyday lives of the principal actors in the courtroom; especially the lawyers for defense (producer Vivek Gomber) and prosecution (played by Geetanjali Kulkarni), and the judge (Pradeep Joshi). What emerges is how extraordinary injustice is embedded in quotidian affairs. The prosecution lawyer argues against bail, ensures that an honest man of advanced years rots in police custody for no reason at all and then goes home to cook dinner and watch TV with her family.

The ponderous legal system is certainly the main protagonist, as is evident in the name of the film. And as a useful counterpoint to the brilliant and satirical Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho, Court forces us confront the fact that the byzantine alleyways of justice and the proverbial tarikh pe tarikh, are not merely the unintended result of an uncaring and bureaucratic system but rather used deliberately by the State to remove its more inconvenient citizens for some time, say three or four years. At which time it is the headache of the next set of rulers.

See the full review at: http://sanhati.com/excerpted/11761/

Insightful court case in India, partly dependent on laws which should have been abolished long ago. Honest portrait of current society and people living there

[JvH48 · 8/10 · 11 May 2015]

Saw this at the Rotterdam film festival 2015 (IFFR), where it was part of the Bright Future section (and indeed, it deservedly belonged in that section). In short: Very well done, in all respects. We get an inside view in the Indian legal system and also in normal life there, the latter while we follow opposing council and see how they live outside the court. And in the final scene, when the case is all over, we also follow the judge on a family trip. This final scene is somewhat detached from the core story, but its purpose becomes clear when seeing the judge on a holiday trip in family circles. It seemed a loose end, but fits nicely in the setup, after all.

The Indian legal system is portrayed very well and (as far as I can see) objectively, not leaving a bad impression behind. Prosecution and defense council act believably and competently, and each gets their say. The judge on his side goes strictly by the book. That being his role in the proceedings, I have no problem with him either. The police force is portrayed less positive, if not merely incompetent, showing tunnel vision when locating suspects and witnesses. Interestingly, typically Indian I assume, we see laws quoted from the colonial age. This is remarkable but apparently a fact of contemporary Indian life. And, as judge agrees with prosecution, it IS current law hence applies in this case. In the final Q&A, the director confirms that many laws are outdated, requiring interpretation to establish what they really mean nowadays.

I noted two loose facts from the Q&A. Firstly, the slum area we see when one of the witnesses is brought back to her family, looks true to reality. Nearly demolished places like that coexist in the same city. Secondly, as far as the actors are concerned, we learn that 90% was non-professional. For that reason, Narayan's songs are playbacked.

To conclude: Some people in Western countries may find nearly two hours running time overly long, but it did not feel that way. I think that is caused by mixing court scenes with family scenes outside the court room. As such, we see the formal proceedings indoors next to what happens outdoors in personal lives of councils and judge. Intermixing these two worlds works very well. Indeed, the story seems to drag some of the time, just like the actual court case does, but it did not hinder me at all, as there were ample developments, and last-but-not-least interesting local folklore that we would never had the chance to see if not through this movie.

It's an important film! Do watch it.Cant Afford To Miss

[tlrg-legend · 10/10 · 12 September 2017]

A little known (in India) but widely revered movie has been winning several awards across the globe. Having read about the acclaim (more than 10 International film awards) that has been showered on this simple low budget film, I couldn't stop myself from watching it on the first day of its release. I was soon to find out the reasons that formed the origin of this widespread fanfare for a film that didn't have a single known face and was a debut vehicle for the director. The movie is COURT and here are five reasons which make this movie a must watch.

1. The cinematic style Director Chaitanya Tamhane, in full knowledge of this being a feature film, has chosen a rather offbeat style of cinematography. His vision seems to be making the viewer a part of the canvas. His scenes do not have hurried movements or snappy cuts or closeups or jarring background music. Instead, he chooses to plant you in the scene.

Each and every lingering shot starts before the character arrives, as you slowly grasp the events and the essence of the space which starts to encapsulate you, be it the courtroom, the slum visited by the defence lawyer, the pub that he and his friends go to or the house of the government lawyer.

Even after the character has left the screen, he still lets the proceedings seep into you – a method by which he gives the viewer time to think and, as a result, succeeds in allowing every member of the audience to develop his/her own perspective.

2. The deafening silences One of the most potent and powerful instruments used in this movie is that of silence. If there was to be a personification on canvas for this expression, it has to be this movie. And yet, Chaitanya chose to never dramatize or infuse emotion into the scenes when silence tightens its grip on the audience.

There are moments in the movie that almost make the audience feel uncomfortable because of the immensely natural, awkward silences displayed on screen. These are skillfully broken by the unforced dialogues that unfold on the screen.

His characters pause, lose their temper, get confused, are amused through the proceedings, just like we do in our everyday life, and the silences that connect these moments are the vehicles which drive the images that we develop for each of the characters in the story.

3. Fleshing out the characters The director chooses to stay away from any kind of narration other than that which the characters let you in on, through their interactions with one another. This means that each of the characters appears and shapes up in front of your eyes just like a pot takes form with each action of the potters hand.

Chaitanya chooses to give a warm shade to every character that comes on screen. It's the story that is cruel, funny, unforgiving. The characters, at first glance, are everyday normal human beings that we ourselves are and find around us on a daily basis. It is slowly but surely, as the story progresses, that the director turns the mirror towards us as he shows our own approach towards our life and responsibilities. Everyone is multi-layered, just like us.

So while the defence lawyer may be devoted towards his profession and client, his tone may be entirely different at home and though the government lawyer may be the quintessential wife, she may also be treating her case as just another Koshimbir she cooks up with great ease.

4. The locations The locations chosen in the movie are as real as they can get. Not a single frame has an air of made up surroundings in it. So when the courtroom or kitchen or the dining table or the chawl or the stage is presented before you, it results in you instantly becoming a part of it because of the real sounds that surround you.

I have to mention a scene where the defence lawyer visits the slum where a character resides. The claustrophobic feel that this scene gives you is completed by the interaction that he has with a lady residing there, and the beauty of it is you can even hear the sound of the bangles this woman wears, which every Indian relates to.

5. And finally the glorious, cruel and effortless satire Satire is a weapon that is used by the witty against the unsuspecting simpleton. But, in Court, everyone, every moment, every dialogue aspires to be it.

It's a movie that is made in complete realization of the fact that everyday life is nothing but a set of contradictions. And the courtroom is a melting pot of this mesh of feelings, laws, rights, wrongs, apprehensions, ideas and conveniences. And it is at the final moment, the closing scene, that the power of this expression is presented in its truest purest form, with a symbolism so subtle that it captures the gist of the entire proceeding in a matter of a few seconds.

It's an important film! Do watch it.

Slow but worth watching

[anilmobi · 7/10 · 16 November 2016]

The narrative of the movie starts slow and remains like that through the movie. It starts with police arresting a singer, songwriter for abetment of a suicide of a sewage worker. The almost all of the movie is about the court and its proceedings and the lives of the people involved in the case.

The narrative gives us a glimpse of a day of the prosecutor, defense lawyer, victim and also the judge. First, in the life of prosecutor, we understand how she is very orthodox. She likes to watch anti-immigrant theme based dramas and holds on to a law, however, old it is and irrelevant it could be in present times. The defense lawyer is shown as progressive and cosmopolitan. He tries his best to save the victim from the strangles of the law. He also faces personal insults in this journey. The judge is shown as if does not bother about what is right. This could be because, maybe this the way it is in the judiciary system, and they just go by the procedures and do not care the consequences of these actions impacts the lives of the victims. I think, if I am forced identify a villain in the movie, I would pick him. Because a person in the capacity of the judging should be more active and should be able to see what is the ground reality and how the victim is being harassed with the loopholes of the law.

In the end, it dawns on us how the judiciary system, without anyone doing a glaring illegal action, ruins a life of an ordinary man.

I loved this film for it's simple and real depiction of Indian courts.

[braddugg · 8/10 · 18 January 2016]

I loved this film for it's simple and real depiction of Indian courts.

This is as close as it can get in depicting how the Indian judicial courts deal cases. Please note that this film is not exactly about a particular case, but it was more so a comment on how the judicial system works in India. Although, a case was taken to represent the judicial procedures, I looked at this film as a showcase of the process in itself.

There is a lot of reflection of reality which is a rarity in Indian films. We have camouflaged films or those which in the name of depicting reality show us the perspective of makers. The best realistic film was "Black Friday" as per me and this comes the second best. Second only because it did not have an engaging storyline or one that we would be keen to know, All it has, is a case at best about a man who is accused of raging emotions.

This is a Marathi film and I commend the fact that Marathi films have come a long way. They have made films like "Shwaas" "Deool" and many others which are like the reflection of the possibility of Indian cinema. Sadly, very few films have explored Indian emotions, Indian mindset and told Indian stories with utmost honesty.

I applaud the director Chaitanya Tamhane for not putting in any drama and also from refraining from any commercial elements and showing things as they are.

Performances are true to the characters by each one. From a sweeper to a lawyer and judge, everyone played their role as they would live it if it was their own life. The camera was used as a tool to capture the happenings instead of making anyone conscious of its presence.

I am going with 4/5. Loved it but I doubt if I would sit through this another time.

Indian Indie on the lamentable state of the legal system

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 6/10 · 20 October 2016]

The basic synopsis is that an aged folk singer and 'people's poet' is arrested mid gig by the Mumbai police. He is taken before a judge where he finds that he is charged with abetting the suicide of a sewerage worker by performing in a slum. This has been done by his suggestive lyrics – and presumably the gullibility of the audience. The film follows the course of his ordeal at the hands of the Indian legal system and of the lawyer who is doing his best to get him released.

Now this is supposed to be a satire but it also comes across as a bit Kafkaesque at times. The acting is all from unknowns and they keep the authenticity level at high by using Marathi, Gujarati, English and Hindu – which is mostly translated well. The camera work is the type where the camera frames the scene and everyone acts within that frame. It has a real feeling of realism as there is always so much going on – just as it would be in real life. The players are not them only players on the stage – just like life where we are only ever the star in our version of reality.

Now I have seen high praise for this film and a lot of criticism. The critics have bemoaned the lack of direction; but that is the point – it is meant to look amateurish as that is how the courts work. The sound levels and white sub titles have caused complaints too, but I was fine with those aspects. It was also panned for the lack of editing – and well I have to agree; there are some scenes that you can fast forward parts as lots of 'bugger al' happens. But I think that was done to emphasise the passing of time and the sheer mundanity of the clock ticking being also seen as a weapon of punishment. People being locked up and denied bail is a punishment and it is the passage of that time and it being unlived that hammers that point home. So I think we essentially are suffering for our art.

Anyway it is a compelling watch but will not be for everyone; if you want thrills, action, a love interest or some sort of noir then look elsewhere. This is slow paced in action, takes its time on all levels and has messages both obvious and subtle, but I am glad I stuck with it.

A fascinating portrait of an India in flux with traditions and Westernisation.

[Sergeant_Tibbs · 8/10 · 6 November 2014]

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

Read more @ The Awards Circuit (http://www.awardscircuit.com/)

An Uncomplicated Portrayal Of The Complicated Indian Judiciary. ♦ 65%

[nairtejas · 7/10 · 23 April 2015]

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

One of the Best of the Year

[JoshuaDysart · 10/10 · 24 August 2015]

I've seen two impressive debut features so far this year. "Gueros", which introduces director Alonso Ruizpalacios, and "Court". "Gueros" is a post-French New Wave exercise, derivative of the listless youth cinema of early Goddard and Truffaut while still showing great promise and a bold aesthetic. "Court", on the other hand, heralds the arrival of a fully-formed artist in director Chaitanya Tamhane.

"Court" is an anti-courtroom drama about India's legal system, and by extension, class, education and post-colonial malaise, yet it comes off entirely rhetoric free, relying on its naturalism and humanism to deliver its thesis. Its structure achieves a great deal with real narrative economy as it veers from courtroom tedium to the personal lives of those involved in the case (save for the actual folk-singer indicted under arcane censorship laws and worse. Intentionally, he is the least explored).

*Spoilers*

Instead we observe the lives of a pedantic, lowly-educated, anti-rational prosecutor and tool- of-the-State; a well-educated pro-bono, social-activist defense lawyer taking on a moribund system of meaningless old-world laws; And the judge who presides over it all.

But the Tool-of-the-State lives a simple and not un-happy life, the Social Activist Lawyer turns out to be a spoiled infant whenever he gets around his well-to-do-parents, and the judge is a superstitious numerologist so entrenched in his entitlement and power that slapping his slow-witted grandson for disturbing his nap comes as knee-jerk second nature.

*End Spoilers*

There's an endearing comedy and observational joy in it all. Using many non-actors, some fantastic location work, and an austere filmic style, the movie abhors artifice. The Kafkaesque quality of the situation is submerged under its realism. There are no grand orations in court, no twists in the case or surprise witnesses, no winking performances or scene munching moments for vain actors, just a perfectly pitched indictment, made more powerfully precise for choosing quiet observation over shrill, lazy, dramatization.

I'm very interested in the future of both directors, but Tamhane has done something truly unique and extraordinary here.

As real as it gets!!

[nadkarnisumeet · 7/10 · 25 April 2021]

Court review :

Chaitanya Tanhane's impressive debut film starts with a 65 year old teacher cum street performer getting arrested for allegedly abetting suicide of a sewage worker through his rousing song. The film is completely linear in approach, at times even mundane to an effect but subtly drives home the sordid point of the increasing rot in our judicial system. Therein lays its genius.

Court is not an entertaining or a massy kinda film so if you like your drama with high voltage "I object Milord" or "Tareek pe tareek" arguments a la hindi cinema, please be forewarned. Tamhane does not play to the gallery in any manner, in fact, keeping the proceedings as realistic as possible. The two lawyers in this case are socially opposites; one is a well to do Gujarati bachelor who lets his hair down once in a while with his friends at pubs while the other is a lady from a lower middle class background toiling through train travels and balancing her work while fulfilling her family duties. The contrast is subtle yet registers strongly. What also stands out is that no particular character is portrayed negative or grey shaded. In one scene, the judge objects to a lady wearing a sleeveless top as violating the court rules and is then subsequently shown relaxing at a beach resort with his family members where the ladies are fully clothed inside a swimming pool.

Certain scenes are brilliantly shot like the scene where the sewage workers wife is cross examined in court and the lawyer then drops her home. It's simplistic yet very effectively shot. Another of my favorite scene is when the accused is re-arrested in a printing press; shot without a single dialogue. Reference is also made to cases where an accused of a particular religion was re-arrested again and again in seemingly bizarre manner.

To sum up, Court may not entertain you wholly but it is undeniably a super effort in depicting realism. Extending a full 10 minutes beyond a point where you feel it actually ended, the movie is a fine debut and a national award worthy effort. Recommended to connoisseurs of realistic cinema!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Most boring movie I have seen!!

[sriramthestranger · 3/10 · 3 February 2021]

First, let me confess that I always wished to see a court room movie, that is realistic and talks about law points, and legal aspects. And, this movie exactly meets the criterion. But.... the movie is so boring (or) so realistic, that there is no aspect of drama/entertainment/background music/camera movement. Its as if you are seeing the court hearing and had you been there, you would have yawned and slept. (If you notice, one of the artists in the background does exactly that). I would like to say about the movie Ee-Maa-Yu, which was strikingly a realistic portrayal with no cinematic elements, but it was unbelievably fantastic and does something to you. But, when viewing this movie, you only wanted the court hearing to end and was not able to connect with the protagonist. Who knows, may be that was the intention of the director!!

Court drama, slow and steady

[m-ramanan · 8/10 · 2 July 2021]

RATED 8/10 Language: Marathi Source: Netflix RECOMMENDED Well crafted drama about court room and the persons in court room. Too much of artistic and slow but its perfect.

The real life and court life of different characters and their views of personal and court life.... the climax is the big slap on citizen's face... the last 15 seconds tells the story with superb impact.... Must watch...

A masterpiece which you cant afford to miss

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 8/10 · 17 April 2015]

COURT MOVIE REVIEW- Just watched Court movie and couldn't stop myself by clapping in the end of the movie.read so many reviews and film has already got the national award so my expectations were sky high.i was expecting a masterpiece.and i am very proud to say that Marathi cinema has given us another masterpiece.an eye opener movie with complete realistic screenplay.film has a simple story,a folk singer get arrested by police and then whatever happens in a court is all about the script.no melodrama,no action,no vulgarity,no turning points only a simple story gets going and leave us with an eye opening message.film shows us the atmosphere inside the court and also the corrupt outside world.a brilliant message of how bad is the mentality of well educated Judge we have in our system.a common man has much knowledge,mind n sense than educated people.a true face of lawyers,police and some poverty caste peoples of our society.don't know from where director Chaitnya got idea to make a movie on this topic.but i must say he has done a fabulous job here.a natural and realistic screenplay takes the quality of movie to the high level.all actors are almost new faces and freshers,who does not have any big film or experience on their names but here they all have done a brilliant job.completely natural acting by them is just out of the world.film has no songs and doesn't even need it.camera work is damn awesome.story,screenplay are completely natural and realistic.i want to mention one more thing here,Dialouges..! The most loved part of the film for me.that conversation of lawyers is just wow.with the ease they delivers it is impossible for any other actor.my request to all who are reading this review,go and watch this masterpiece but only if you know and understand the meaning of class and quality.strongly recommended to classes.50% dialogs are in English so masses you please don't watch it,you keep watching that masala and entertaining stuff..no wonder why this movie got ''Best Indian Film'' award in national awards,you guys deserves it..final words,kudos and salute to the team of ''Court'' for giving us this masterpiece...

Can't rate

[murugaprabu · 3 June 2018]

Watching Court is a unique experience. Its lazy elegance and life like sets. Definitely not for masses.

You will fear having to do anything with the legal system

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 7/10 · 18 December 2017]

"Court" tells the story of a man who gets imprisoned because of his songs and his fallout with the system. The story, in a surprising and smart, move, does not center in the character of the man falsely imprisoned, but on the legal system, society and the people that get to defend or accuse him during the trial. Tamhane does not center on creating empty heroes, but on trying to create a realistic view on a dated system, a system that instead of giving solutions creates more problems. It is a soft satire (it never goes for the jugular), but it also isn't afraid of pointing fingers and making clear points on the problems a society has when the laws that humans created become set on stone and are more 'the word of god' that a set of rules to help humanity. The acting is sometimes a little bit 'shacky' but the soft approach in that respect helps in making the feel of the story more realistic, instead of your lawyers and judges that seem to have come out of a catalog. Recommended, but then, don't go expecting the law to help you.

Brutal depiction & Cringing violence of law

[rajdoctor · 8/10 · 24 September 2015]

When I saw this movie, throughout the movie I was cringing within myself, living in this obnoxious violent world that uses law, morals and intelligence doing crimes with impunity. God forbid – to be exposed to such type of hidden violence of our society that may be reeling out injustice to thousands of innocence people on daily basis. It gave me a couple of sleepless nights and broad daylight nightmares.

Court is a simple story of a retired school teacher and folk singer dalit political activist Narayan Kamble (a real life activists Vira Sathidar played brilliant) who is arrested for a bizarre accusation of 'abetment of suicide' of a sewerage worker because of the lyrics of the passionate folk-activist-songs he sings. The court drama is set as real and as impassionate as possible with sporadic peeks into the pragmatic personal lives of public prosecutor Maharashtrian lawyer Nutan (Geetanjali Kulkarni – natural accent / diction and typical advocate performance) and Gujarati defence lawyer Vinay Vora, played by producer of the movie Vivek Gomber, and lastly presided by the superstitious judge Sadavarte (Pradeep Joshi) who is seen dozing on a park bench as the end credits rolls by.

The crippling monotony and lack of empathy for innocent, embedded with bureaucratic procedures and archaic court law makes a dark comedy satire of the times we live in.

Brilliantly written, visioned and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane inspired seeing films of stalwarts like Krzysztof Kieslowski and Jia Zhangke. Director Tamhane took nearly 3 years to complete this project researching, writing and executing. And that shows in each frame and character enacted. Nearly 1800 people were auditioned from which mostly non-filmi people were selected, who in turn also helped in production work at the set. The laborious tasks of perfect pitch at times took them to shoot some scenes 50-60 retakes.

Static shots by cinematographer Mrinal Desai add us being part of the setting of the court-room drama with each scene mounting our frustrations by leaps and bounds.

Ten minutes prior to the actual ending when the court is adjourned Director Tamhane closes the shot with a dark screen as a prelude to building anger within the sensitive audiences for what is next to come – the judge enjoying with his family and friends at a picnic during his vacation. Tamhane pushes the mirror of reality and slaps the audiences on its face to be aware of the unseen violence that goes on behind each scene of joy and pleasure, dance and songs.

It leaves such a deep impact that next time one sees people happy and jumping, one is un-mistakably not going to forget the terror some of them might have left behind in invisible people's lives.

I would strongly recommend everyone, especially students of law, interns, lawyers, advocates, magistrates and judges to see this movie and do some serious introspection on their role in perpetuating legal forms of crude violence through their professional careers that may impede justice especially for those who are innocent.

Lastly, kudos to Vivek Gomber to have trust, faith and backing such a wonderful script and believing the director's vision to bring life to a master piece, that should be a compulsory viewing for every cinema- lover.

A subtle but frightening and deeply disturbing brilliant masterpiece fascinatingly portraying honest violent satire of Indian judiciary and our modern society!

(Rating 8.25 out of 10)

Some may saw a masterpiece, I would say rather dull but important

[athanassiouthanassis85 · 6/10 · 14 June 2020]

This is a kind of movie that when I saw, I thought is was boring in a way. But I believe that these kind of movies should not be judged in a matter of how many stars would you rate in IMDB, but how much do you think of the characters and their lives afterwards. There are of course people that have rebellious thinking that may be notorious in their society, as well as there are very respectable professions which they may exercise their profession without taking into account the ethic significance that their call may have. There are occasions in which calls had been made as simply as they watch tv or eat lunch, whereas another life changes forever.

A must watch fearful depiction of our police and judicial system that luckily got a national award instead of getting banned.

[bobbysing · 9/10 · 1 August 2016]

An avid Hindi film lover has a quite interesting but unreal picture of an Indian courtroom in his mind full of phrases such as My Lord, Judge Sahib, Objection sustained, Objection Overruled, Order Order, Mere Kaabil Dost, Mr. Public Prosecutor, Case Ki Agli Sunvaayi, Tareekh Pe Tareekh and many more.

However the truth remains shockingly contradicting to the on screen presentation and that's exactly what you get to witness in Chaitanya Tamhane's exceptional directorial debut in Marathi Cinema having an interesting cast ensemble and an explosive subject. Based on a completely unbelievable case filed by the State against an old age artist, admittedly the film takes its own times to influence the viewers with a slow paced story progression, resembling the way court cases keep crawling in India till years or even decades. But remaining within this off-beat framework, COURT also makes you feel many painful blows one after another while watching the case proceedings in a strange state of amazement. And further paints a hugely upsetting picture of our present Police and Judicial system forcing you to wonder that how come this brutally honest film was awarded a National recognition by the Government of India itself…..instead of getting banned.

To make your realize the mistake you would be committing by missing it, here are its major exceptional features that might influence you to change your mind and watch it at the earliest in the coming days.

1. You must have seen many films revolving around a false case being filed by the Police officials against an innocent person. But can you believe the height of absurdity when an investigating officer files a case against a 65 years old revolutionary social activist/artist/writer/singer, with a charge that one of his songs talking about suicide, provoked a poor sewage worker to kill himself by getting drowned in the gutter full of hazardous gases.

2. The case not only gets duly filed by presenting more than one witnesses, but it also gets extensively discussed within the court with the lady lawyer reading out many long pages full of false accusations adding a fine touch of black humour that instantly makes you laugh at the absurdity being practiced within the court itself.

3. The sequences bravely expose the flaws in our police and judiciary system when the police officer has no clues about a letter and existence of one crucial witness but still tries to defend his irresponsible actions so casually. Besides one feels disgustingly surprised when the honourable judge refuses to hear the next case as the lady coming forward is wearing a sleeveless dress that is considered to be disrespectful attire in a court room.

4. Through its various references of the weird case and personal lives of both the lawyers fighting it spiritedly, COURT also mocks at the widely prevalent class divide in our society and issues such as freedom of expression, fake arrests and exploitation of laws by the lawyers themselves ignoring the innocent lives and families being affected severely.

5. The language is a mix of Marathi, English, Hindi and Gujarati too, exactly like you find in the region of Mumbai. Reading the above features, you can easily guess that COURT is a rare thought provoking treat coming from our Regional Indian Cinema.

So just go for it at the earliest and don't miss many small but important real life insertions in its brilliant on screen execution such as:

A. The way the lawyer's parents treat a stranger visiting their house, who happens to be their son's client.

B. The strange, unconcerned kind of attitude in the answers given by the dead worker's widow in the court, who later refuses to take any money as help but asks for some work from the lawyer dropping her home.

C. The particular shot of a printing press, where the police officer arrives to arrest the artist checking his new book being printed, but the press worker sitting just a few feet away continues with his work of compiling a magazine pages showing no concern at all.

D. Just study the way, most of the film has been shot with all still frames with the camera placed in a single position making it more real as if one is sitting right there in the theater witnessing the court's proceedings.

E. And then, many shots continuing to a much longer duration than required with nothing happening on the screen, results in the viewer feeling more involved with the characters and their helpless plight.

In the performances, all inspiring actors (non-professionals mostly) provide a big support to the film led by Vivek Gomber as the defence attorney (also the film's producer), Geetanjali Kulkarni as the public prosecutor, Vira Sathidar as the accused artist/social activist and Pradeep Joshi as the judge. But the choice of other non-actors appearing in very short roles throughout the film could have been better.

The film ends with the final 10 minutes revolving around the judge alone and the stress he feels, leaving the viewers with many uncomfortable and horrifying questions about the court-procedures running in their minds. And perhaps the climax (showing him enjoying a picnic with his family, slapping one of the kids for disturbing his sleep), also wishes to present a possible conclusion that after all even a judge is a human too who does have his own personal life, choices and limitations.

In fact that's exactly what makes COURT a highly recommended movie for all thinking minds. So whatever language or region you belong to, shed all your reservations of watching a regional movie with English subtitles and do yourself a favour witnessing COURT at the earliest as its indeed yet another important benchmark set by the Marathi film-makers in our rich Indian cinema undoubtedly.

And Justice for... Some

[sol- · 6/10 · 11 August 2017]

Defending a political activist charged with abetting suicide proves difficult for an altruistic lawyer in this drama that explores the idiosyncrasies of India's legal system. From very early on, it is implied that the activist has really been arrested because the government is tired of his politically dissenting folk songs; the "suicide" may have been death by misadventure since there was no suicide note, however, the judge has no interest in evidence contrary to the state's view and ignores bail pleas, despite the accused man's advanced age and ill health. Fascinating as this might sound, the film is undermined by the fact that less than half of the movie takes places in court. This is almost the polar opposite of the Israeli film 'Gett', also from 2014, which never left court. Even more perplexing is that the outside-court scenes focus on the judge, the lawyer, his relatives and everyone other than the defendant. Several court scenes are also dedicated to other defendants for seemingly little reason other than to paint the court as antiquated (one woman's case is not heard due to the clothes she is wearing). Rambling and unfocused as 'Court' may be due to this narrative decision, there are several potent moments along the way as legal hurdles pop up. The way the camera tends to linger in the courtroom after everybody has left is a nice touch too - and the film has one surefire awesome poster.

A Frighteningly Good Film!

[namashi_1 · 9/10 · 23 September 2015]

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.

Interesting but...

[danielcalegari · 6/10 · 4 July 2021]

The movie is interesting as it shows how messy can be the indian legal system.

There are old laws about banished books, some imperialism relics, the bureaucratic government, ugly police uniforms...

But wait! The prossecution has nothing better to do, only want to make the old man life worse!

The attorney tries to save him but... long time ago he have taken part at some terrorist party... The judge is almost stupid and useless, does he get paid for it?

And all characters are flat as the children pool (at movie end, what was the point?). Zero development.

Highly Overrated Movie!

[aasifsheik · 2/10 · 3 October 2015]

The generous two stars were given for the good acting.

Plot:An aging folk singer gets arrested on charges of abatement of suicide of a sewerage which might of caused because of his revolutionizing songs which he usually performs on the streets of India.

Acting: That is the only good part left in the movie.

Cinematography: Cameras were used That's it.

Music: Nill

Editing:Very Bad

Direction: Director Just for the namesake. Bad i mean was he even there?

This is the most senseless, lifeless, soul less movie i have seen lately. Imagine spending 1000 bucks for this movie in a multiplex and your valuable 1 Hour:37 Minutes of your life for this movies is totally worthless.

In the name of art movies these sold out critics gives false impression for a art movie lover like me and makes them think it is the best art movie and these so called directors boast this is art.

Directors and Critics care less about our hard earned money and our time which we spend to watch a decent movie. Even as an art movie lover i hated this movie so much that i felt very bad for the audience who are just accepting this is great movie because some rich,sold out and senseless critique said so.Instead go watch "Masaan. It's also an realistic art movie worth spending 1000 bucks.

These type of movies should be stopped from coming out and giving false impression for ART REALISTIC MOVIES.