[3.5/4.0] (dialog in Bengali, English subtitles)
This film, with the English title "The Unvanquished", is the second installment of Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy".
Although it is can be coherent story when viewed by itself, it definitely builds upon the context provided in "Pather Panchali". That narrative concluded with the Roy family leaving the ancestral village to seek a better existence in Benares, the holy city on the Ganga (Ganges). This film picks up at that point, and we see that the Roys' fortunes have improved. Although they live in a shared house, Hari's (Kanu Bannerjee) regular work as a priest brings in a steady income and Apu (Pinaki Sengupta as the child, Smaran Ghosal as the adolescent) has made new friends and he is thriving. Sarbojaya (Karuna Bannerjee) still worries, but they have found the stability she had been seeking. However, this all changes when Hari dies of a sudden illness. With the death of her daughter (which occurred in the previous film) and her husband, Sarbojaya now only has Apu. She decides to move them to the countryside, and there Apu is able to learn priestly duties from his grand-uncle. However, Apu aspires to go to school, and with determination and their meager savings, he is able to attend. At school he becomes an outstanding student, and earns the opportunity for further studies in Calcutta on scholarship. Going away to school has opened a new world for Apu, but it has also separated him from Sarbojaya.
Once again, Satyajit Ray has sculpted a masterpiece. It continues the saga of the trilogy, but it also explores somewhat different themes. "Pather Panchali" dealt with the road of life, this film focuses more narrowly on the dynamics of an individual relationship, namely that of Sarbojaya and Apu. As a result, the pace of this film is more crisp, with limited use of interspersed cinematic flourishes which would slow the narrative. The issues of commitment and dependence are explored. Sarbojaya displays the strength of her spirit by not being broken from the hardships that have befallen her. The soberness of the story is tempered with small nuggets of simple humor. As in the previous film, this film is backed with the delightful and appropriate music of Ravi Shankar.
The acting performances are outstanding, although few characters are given exposure besides Sarbojaya and Apu. Kanu Bannerjee is again exceptional, as she handles the character's evolution into a world- weary but resolved and loving mother. Smaran Ghosal does a fantastic job as the adolescent Apu. The character is naive, and often self- absorbed, from simple childish immaturity. Although he does not intend to be uncaring, his determination blinds him to the requirements of responsibility. This is a multifaceted character and Ghosal is able to combine all the parts into a credible whole.
As Apu discovers a passion for learning, he immerses himself in that world, which unwittingly separates him from his mother. Apu proudly recounts what he has learned to Sarbojaya, and she shows her happiness in seeing her son doing well as something he loves, a success which eluded his father. However, in these scenes, like Apu describing the positions of the sun, earth and moon to Sarbojaya, it is obvious that this is a foreign world to her. Eventually, his passion takes him to another city, and essentially away from Sarbojaya. It is wrenching to see the conflicts involved with Apu's decision to study away in Calcutta. Apu's intoxication with knowledge is so endearing and his drive to succeed is so overriding that it is wholely understandable that he does not see how his departure would affect his mother. Sarbojaya's desire for Apu to stay with her is also understandable because she desperately wants to keep her last remaining treasure with her, not because she wants to restrict Apu in any way. She shows her tremendous strength of character by not being possessive of Apu. Eventually fate unrolls the results of the decisions the individuals make.
Highly recommended. Ray has crafted another masterpiece which captures the drama of the human condition in a simple story. The story is engaging and moving. It can be watched on its own, but for full appreciation, it should be viewed after "Pather Panchali."
(c) 1999 Murali Krishnan The Art House Squatter http://ArtHouseSquatter.com
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