User reviews

Aparna Sen's 'Goynar Baksho' has received heavy criticism mostly with regards to the imbalanced plot and drastic change in the third act. To be honest, the third act did feel like a sudden change in both tone and story and heavily rushed. It ought to have been further developed and more humour could have been added (to balance it adequately with the rest of the picture). Moreover, the connection with the first half felt weak. There should have been more focus on the mother-daughter relationship than just that one scene. Maybe Sen could have left this act for a whole other film, a sequel. That would have given room for the story and characters to flesh out.

And now for the plusses, the first and second act are sheer delight. It's a bit like watching a hilarious folktale and it's beautifully shot. The colourful visuals (sets, costumes and landscape) are stunning. I've never seen CGI of this high quality in any Indian film. Sen has obviously hired some of the best technicians and designers. The cinematography and score are first rate.

Not to take anything away from Aparna Sen and her crew's input but what would have 'Goynar Baksho' been without the fabulous performances of Moushumi Chatterjee and Konkona Sen Sharma. I doubt Moushumi's done anything like this before but she's at her best here. The same goes for Konkonaas she holds her own. Their shared scenes are the highlights of 'Goynar Baksho' and most of them had me laughing out loud.

To sum it up, this isn't Aparna Sen's best work but it's amusing, entertaining and visually satisfying nonetheless.

OK, I have read all 5 reviews (up to my writing) and found some disappointments from reviewers. But I've found more amusing things than errors which are more strong than these errors.

Although we have got a good numbers of spectacular movies from Aparna Sen and it's another. Yes, "Goynar Baksho" is a long story but she tried her best to represent all in 2.5hours. Because you must have to consider the tricks to grab "Audiences" of all classed and regions. May be she have some future plan about '71 liberation War (Just my assumption).

In a single word it's a complete movie with complete sense of making. Superb set, screenplay, cinematography. Most importantly dialogues. Just amazing. But I must say Konkona Sen Sharma acted 20% of her acting skill. I think a poor performance came from her in this movie. May be director could choose a different actress replacing Konkona who would be fit for this character.

Now telling something boring stuffs about Bangladeshi directors. More or less Aparna Sen had putted '71 plot here inside this movie and I should say it's a brave stuff, where Bangladeshi directors or film makers are not so interested to work with this beautiful plot (except some movies like Guerrilla, MeherNigar, Amar Bondhu Rashed and some other more). They just think complete war film with this plot. But I must say they can put this plot into commercial film like this "Goynar Baksho". Salute and thanks Aparna Sen to use this '71 plot.

At very end of my review, I'm thanking to the Director/Writer of this movie "not to let her(Somlata) go with that Rose hold poet lover". :)

The first half of the movie is 10/10. Showcases the actual struggles our ancestors had to go through. Holds up the social evils our grandmother's were a victim of. Nonetheless also portraying the progressive ideologies which we now call feminism.

Second half could have been more engaging.

Really loved the end where Pishi finally gives away her possession for a much greater cause.

Another bengali cult movie by Aparna sen .... I was surprised at the climax..I really didn't expected such amazing ending.. the whole storytelling was like a fine wine...it's so smooth so subtle yet powerful...it provides a strong message to the society in a sarcastic way..the movie talks about the independence of Bangladesh , the crisis they face that time and all..it's a a classic movie...I'll say this movie is one of the best bengali movies I've ever seen... Note : The 1st half of the movie is a bit slow but but I'll suggest you to patiently watch the movie..because the climax is worth remembering!

One of the best movies I ever watched!!! Everything about this movie is perfect. Casting, cinematography, dialogues, acting, songs everything!

This movie is not for everyone, and its not as bad as the reviews suggests.. its not flawless and bit slow at some parts, but definitely worth a watch..

The production quality is excellent. The first half was really good. The storytelling, acting, directing, cinematography everything was spot on. Sadly everything started tumbling downhill thereafter. I was enjoying the first half and expected more in the second. Then it all started...forced character entries, forced activism. I then kicked back to me that it was an Aparna Sen film. One factual error was showing of the daughter of Konkona Sen's driving a Vijay(red color) scooter in the year 1971. The fact is SIL- makers of Vijay scooters only started production in 1975. Mopeds like Luna were available but its hard to believe a girl in the 70's going to college on these and that too not in Calcutta. It seemed to be done to make the character Uber Modern. Bengalis will understand when i say the second half was full of "aantlami" (pseudo intellectual). Inter religion love affair, extra marital affair, feminism and revolution packed in 1 hour. The movie should have kept itself to story telling without being preachy. There were many places where the film could have ended. Like when Konkona (Somlata) gives birth or it could have gone forward and if it ended with "Chaitali" getting married and gets back the "Goinar Bakso" My review is on the movie and is not anyway a comparison with the novel.

It's a great film 🎥. It's basically a story of a woman ðŸ'© set in 1950's West Bengal and her family ðŸ'ª. The movie 🎬 fails to impress as soon as it starts but it takes at most 10 minutes to gain your attention. It paces forward like a comedy film which doesn't have stupid impractical punch lines. The comic elements are provided by the out dated society and the ingesting characteristics of the family members. The protagonist will really impress you. The dirty is really amazing and the sub plots beautifully shows the forgotten Bengal. The movie gets a sudden change in mood around in the middle and started moving on with seriousness but with out becoming a bit less interesting. A part of the movie is dedicated to Bengal.... In short this movie offers a lot and is a #mustWatch....

Positives first: 1) Beautiful cinematography. Film has beautifully captured the sense and sights of a period long gone past. 2) Performance of Paran Banerjee and Saswata - as authentic as it gets

That's about it. Overall, a waste of a evening - the much hyped feminist director Aparna Sen still fails to deliver on a setting so intimately known to her. The dialogues are run of the mill, Konkana's acting is like a jatra, missing genuineness, a most ordinary storyline with a highly nyaka 3rd half.

I had sworn I would watch this movie till the end no matter how bad - I kept my promise till 2 hours and 20 mins, and then gave up.