Movie Review - Department (Hindi) - Rogue Methodology meets Cranky Cinematography

God said, "Let Newton be!" and all was Light.

I say, "Let RGV be!" and all was Movie Camera.

In a land where film-makers have cinematic eye for detail this rare genius believes in cinematographic eye for detail. The man who pioneered the use of steadicam in Indian cinema takes on the existing norms of cinematography with his newly founded love - Canon EOS 5D camera. He used few of them without a Director of Photography and abracadabra... RGV's Department is ready!!

The camera moves through hitherto unknown places in the action sequences and gives freedom for the stunt-coordinators to gain perfection. Some low shots make you feel that ants are carrying the camera. Camera behind the car steering, the movement of striker on a carom board, tea-pan being taken to the cup for the tea to be strained, Amitabh stirring a tea cup, and many such camera movements make you perturbed. The constant movement of characters and the chase sequences through crowded areas are a mark of vintage Varma. 

This movement would take the world of cinematography by storm and enables RGV to reinvent the cinematic language thus creating an enhanced impact of the characters' expression on audience. Classic school of film-making may term the camera angles to be too casual and can't be called cinematic, but breaking rules is RGV's mantra. He breaks them to the core in Department with his patented technique of including upside-down frames and long sequences. An amazing single shot in the second half shows RGV's film-making prowess. 

RGV's constant exploration of the nexus between the underworld and the law, and showcasing it with new modes of storytelling using his cranky camera forms the crux of Department. The movie encompasses the nexus of business and crime called politics, crime and business of politics, and the politics and business in crime with finesse. The frantic pacing of an often told tale of cops cleansing the city keeps you on edge of the seat. Of all the members of the cast, Amitabh emerges as a winner. RGV takes his favorite actor to the next level in terms of styling and characterization. His lively presence adds life and gives a comic tinge to the proceedings. 

Rana Daggubati plays an ordinary man with conscience and believes in honesty. He is a star in the movie and gets a full length role with more screen presence than Sanjay Dutt. He delivers a lot in the action sequences as per the demand. Sanjay Dutt as a cop shines in some scenes esp. the action sequences where he performs the role with elan. Madhu Shalini got a role of her lifetime, but she along with Mumbaiya dialect speaking Abhimanyu Singh are simply absurd. As a fan of Quentin Tarantino, RGV seems to have taken these characters from Natural Born Killers, but Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis would run away if they see these two on screen.

Confusions galore over Department - It's not just that the police in this film are indistinguishable from the mafia, or that the mafia is indistinguishable from the politicians. When the nexus is established in the second half you feel relaxed. There are some scenes in the movie where you wait for an epic moment to occur. But alas, nothing of that epic sort happens, or even mini epics. Instead, you are left wondering what the point of that scene was. Some scenes don't fit in the narrative and seem to be forcibly fit. Careful guys, shabby editing can kill a movie. Another thumb down moment in the film is the much hyped Nathalia Kaur's item number 'Dan Dan Cheeni.'

Company was a journalistic probe into the politics within an underworld organization and in Department RGV dons a journalistic cap to fathom the depth of politics within the police department. The way of capturing drama along with the subject matter and action sequences stands out in Department. The script is interesting, but its execution can drive you crazy. The rest is a criss-cross of crossers, double-crossers that you might have seen earlier in a gang-war film. The only difference between loads of other gangster flicks and Department is RGV's restless camera. You will stay puzzled after the movie thinking about the difference between an illegally legal business and a legally illegal one!!

Department is yet another path-breaking product in the crime genre of Hindi cinema that resorts to unconventional storytelling. A strong idea and an intent to tell a story in the most genuine way makes a truly great director. A real director always tries to satisfy his storytelling quest, not the audience. And only in this he achieves perfection and RGV proves it again.

My rating - Expectation: 9/10; Reality: 7/10