The Incoherent Ramblings of a Mad Woman

So what does Valerian have to do with Bollywood forums? I think there is a lot in common with "Jagga Jasoos". Jagga Jasoos too was a dream that engulfed lots of time and money in the making. It too is a film with stunning visuals and some breathtaking sets. There is the comic book common thread too. Valerian is based on a real life comic, while Jagga Jasoos is a fictional comic with the potential to become real. Like Valerian too, Jagga Jasoos bombed at the box office. Jagga Jasoos too was panned by critics and audiences. There were common threads in the criticism too like lack of storyline and poor pacing. Although, Jagga did not get criticized for its casting or chemistry. Barring his age, Ranbir is perfect for the role.

There are other factors too. Luc Besson has never been able to recreate the magic of "The fifth element". Anurag Basu may also live with "Barfi" being his seminal work. Both are talented filmmakers with quirks of their own.

Also, neither film is objectively bad. They both have elements that are masterful. The real reason for both films failing seems that the hype made people expect a mountain, but they received a molehill. Perhaps if people expected molehills, their fate would be better.

They also cater to niche audiences. While "Fifth Element" catered to a wide variety of sci-fi fans, Luc Besson appeals to a very small niche within the sci-fi audience. His audiences are not the people who love Star Wars, Star Trek, or the slew of superhero movies. In fact, they are puzzled as to why people prefer these grotesquely commercial films instead of the immersive Besson experience. It reminds me of the fans of the game "No Man's Sky". They take umbrage at the game being called boring and lacking plot. To them the art of creating many fascinating unique worlds itself is unique. Like La Femme Nikita or Lucy, Valerian will probably become a cult classic. A box office bomb, but one feverishly loved by the niche it serves.

Jagga Jasoos has the same problem. It just does not cater to the Indian masses. It is too niche. Barfi was a fluke hit because it tugged at our heartstrings. It also was smart not to overpromise. The fans of Jagga Jasoos are also the kind who prefer high concept art and creation of worlds as of utmost importance. After all, what is the point of a story that does not come to life? That is why they overlook Jagga Jasoos seriously flawed narrative as a result of their awe over other things. There were several ways to make it better that the director lost while trying to realize some visual or style pipe dream.

The objective film viewer knows that both these films are like Schrodinger's cat. They simultaneously deserve to and do not deserve to bomb at the same time. They deserve to bomb because the narrative is terrible. The director spent so much time and money on the visuals that they lost the plot. They do not deserve to bomb because they are a valiant experiment, it is these experiments that can unearth something magical in filmmaking. Besides the art is flawless.

Then there is the non-objective film viewer who is embittered over the failure. There are the hardcore Besson fans who question the taste of commercial sci-fi fans. In India, it is the hardcore Ranbir fans who question the intellect of the non-Ranbir fans.

These non-objective film viewers are puzzling. Why are they so passionate about one filmmaker or actor? Why are they convinced that their favorite is the holy grail and others lack the knowledge or refinement? Can't we all just accept differences and get along. Cilantro is delicious to some but tastes like soap to others. Some people enjoy the burn of habaneros, but others cry at the touch of sweet bell peppers on their tongue. We can't just shove a habanero or cilantro down people's throats and scream - you must enjoy this you filthy heathen, how dare you question its deliciousness. So instead of letting someone go "No thank you, not my taste" super fans force others into the visceral reaction of gagging and puking.

I question the logic. Then I remember the time a good friend told me they didn't care for Star Wars. The result was a lot of angry door slamming by me. Gosh! It is so stupid to think of it. But we all have these silly triggers, don't we? Sometimes, we do not just have favorites, we adopt them as our babies. Then react negatively as the world calls our baby ugly.

As human beings, we are all bound to see things differently, and then get our panties in a bunch when others do not have the same POV. We fight and scream about our differences, but as adults, we learn to compromise, move on and live with them. I still cannot stand the fact that some of my friends do not appreciate Star Wars. I call it a deal breaker. But then I try and move on. I stopped calling country music demon spawn, or at least to my friend when I learned country is her favorite music. I silently bear all the criticisms hurled my way when I reveal I actually enjoy Taylor Swift (which shudder, her roots were country - we're all hypocrites as well).

Then you come to IF and see that you are not allowed to learn. The second you slam the door the moderator comes and locks that room and declares your argument done. Discussion of thoughts leads to diversity of thoughts. Diversity of thoughts leads to disagreement. Disagreement leads to argument. Argument must be resolved. Either both parties fight to the death, or they embrace their differences. Some people let go, some people hold on, but arguments must be resolved. But somehow we are not adults on this forum, but children. Children who run to the teacher the second someone says something. Children who need to be pried apart and given time outs through locked topics. We are terrible terrible children, but our parents are the worse. Every time we argue, they show up, give us a smack and just shut us up. No encouragement to grow up. No option to kiss and make up. We are all children of a loveless house where parents have 99 things to do, but caring for children is not one of them.

nice post.

The entire process of this forum is baffling. Movies and movie stars exist for the critique. Some critique is positive, but often times it is negative. It is pointless to have a "movie" discussion forum without room for all forms of critique.

Originally posted by: ---Betty---

Edit: Liked the comparison between Valerian and desi movie but Valerian was released with Dunkirk

Rumor has it that even Girls Trip is doing better. But that movie had a lower budget.

I don't think Valerian's makers anticipated that the typical sci-fi audience would want to watch Dunkirk. But then Chris Nolan has a huge fan following after Batman trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar.

pata hain. Dimaag ke doctor ke pas ilaaj karna padega

where have you been, RTH!!! You write so beautifully..

I believe there is serious break down of communication between users and the admins. The upper admins are too busy to give a shit and the volunteers are burnt and over worked and stopped giving a care either. Iam sure they also have a lot of grievances just like the rest of us.

Yes. I have a lot in common with Kangana. 😆