Are you an avid dreamer who loves happy endings or the one who feels nothing in this world can ever go perfect. Hong Kong filmmaker Wong-Kar Wai's first English film My Blueberry Nights is for the believer of both the schools. The 2008 film that was screened as a centrepiece movie on the fifth day of Osian's Cinefan, focuses on the journey of a young woman who after facing a break-up rediscovers life only to find that people around her are more or less in the same situation as her.
Elizabeth (Norah Jones) who's ditched by her boyfriend finds herself confiding in a cafe owner (Jude Law). The two develop a special bond, but are yet to realise what exactly it is. Disillusioned with the concept of love, Elizabeth decides to move away from New York City and ventures on a journey to Memphis, Tennessee. There, she works at a cafe and a bar day and night for saving money to buy a car. She meets a local policeman Arnie (David Strathairn) who is deserted by his wife but is passionately in love with her. His wife dislikes his drinking habit but he is not able to get rid of it. Arnie's wife, however, in spite of loving her husband wants her independence. Arnie dies in a road accident leaving his wife in turmoil of emotions. Elizabeth, the spectator to the story realises how life can change in a minute.
Elizabeth thereafter gets another job as a waitress in another bar where she meets a gambler Leslie (Natalie Portman). Leslie borrows the saved money of Elizabeth on a condition that if she wins the game, she'll give the winning amount to Elizabeth and if she loses she can have Leslie's car. Leslie says she has lost the game and agrees to give away her car to Elizabeth. She then asks her for a ride to Las Vegas where her father lives. Leslie apparently has a strained relationship with her father and when she gets the news that her father is on verge of dying, she refuses to believe in it. She is inconsolable on learning from Elsie that she has actually lost her father. Leslie now refuses to give away her car to Elsie and admits she lied to her about her loss in gambling. She then funds Elsie's dream car.
{{/usCountry}}Elizabeth thereafter gets another job as a waitress in another bar where she meets a gambler Leslie (Natalie Portman). Leslie borrows the saved money of Elizabeth on a condition that if she wins the game, she'll give the winning amount to Elizabeth and if she loses she can have Leslie's car. Leslie says she has lost the game and agrees to give away her car to Elizabeth. She then asks her for a ride to Las Vegas where her father lives. Leslie apparently has a strained relationship with her father and when she gets the news that her father is on verge of dying, she refuses to believe in it. She is inconsolable on learning from Elsie that she has actually lost her father. Leslie now refuses to give away her car to Elsie and admits she lied to her about her loss in gambling. She then funds Elsie's dream car.
{{/usCountry}}Having learnt the lessons of life, Elizabeth returns to New York City only to realise that her true love is the cafe owner whom she had left behind. The film explores the psychological side of love and tries to show how people realise the significance of love only after losing it. The protagonist of the film learns from the experience of the people around her and is able to make the right decision. If you are looking for a fast-paced, intense romantic movie, My Blueberry Nights is not for you. It's the film that seeks the true meaning of love and the significance of 'present' in your life. The cinematography and the music of the film make it appear dreamy, but there are certain gloomy moments that depict the darker side of love.
Newcomer Norah Jones still has a long way to go if she wants to be considered a serious actress. Jude Law is dashing as ever. Natalie Portman is impressive as a poker player and can display a variety of emotions in a single shot. Her emotional as well as a little wicked scenes impress.