Serpico
Sydney Lumet
Based on the life of a righteous cop this film has one of Al Pacino's finest performances. The protagonist is portrayed in a subdued manner yet there are moments of unbridled energy which consolidate the story as well as the characters. Lumet's distinct style of movie making contrasts with the story of an agitated cop who encounters some frustrating moments in his efforts to cleanse his department of rampant corruption. However, this unique mix works to the movie's advantage.
Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola
A myriad themes stitched together with insanity as a single thread, this is a fictionalised depiction of war-ravaged Vietnam. Tarantino may have made violence entertaining but here in Coppola territory it is aesthetic, yet deeply disturbing. The movie has a deceptive slow pace but once you get the hint of the undercurrent of intractable, complex issues that it addresses with the subtleties of an artist it becomes hard to keep pace. Influenced by Joseph Conrad's work, the film laced with the haunting songs of Jim Morrison is a quintessential masterpiece.
Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola
Listed as the second best film in the last hundred years by the American Film Institute, the movie has a wonderful ensemble of talents. A pioneer in many respects, its many storytelling patterns were followed innumerable times in the years to come. The film entered the realm of popular culture. While every character was perfectly placed Marlon Brando and Al Pacino stand apart, interestingly Coppola had to fight tooth and nail with the production house to retain both.
Batman Begins
Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan not only revived Batman with elegance but also removed all shadows of association from the past. Batman was integrated with the real world brilliantly helped by the likes of Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.
No Smoking
Anurag Kashyap
I am in complete agreement with Kashyap when he considers No Smoking to be his finest movie. A psychedelic storyline is not a concept which is very often dealt with by Indian filmmakers. A portrayal of struggle between individuality and conformity the film has nothing to do with curbing smoking. Replete with symbolisms and hard-to-decipher metaphors it has traces of Albert Camus's The Outsider and Salinger's Catcher in The Rye . This is an enthralling fusion of dream and reality.
Those that almost made it
Into the Wild: Sean Penn
Pulp Fiction: Quentin Tarantino
The Insider: Michael Mann
The Last Temptation of Christ: Martin Scorsese
Midnight Cowboy: John Schlesinger
One flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest: Milos Forman
Faraan Tarique lives in Navi Mumbai and is currently preparing for the Civil Services Exam.
