The Girl (2001)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The Bengali's reply to Fatal Attraction or The Crush? I remember Urmila Matondkar did something faintly similar in Pyar Toone Kya Kiya (as Simi did in Chalte Chalte) to Konkona's fine act in Ek Je Aachhey Kanya. Konkona's is a first-rate performance. She makes you uncomfortable with her "unpredictable" Ria. This is where the director scores. And to support her, we have the ever-dependable Sabyasachi Chakraborty. Amazing how he manages to deliver strong performances in film after film.But one question: didn't people in Kolkata use cell phones in 2000? Especially, people in advertising? I tried to find one scene in which the characters spoke on cell phones, but I probably missed it.And a revelation was the songs. Whoever thought of using Sukumar Ray's "huko mukho hyangla" and making a parody of "mone pore ruby ray" from it. The meter fits to the T. The title song, sung by Proteek Mukherjee, was excellent.

There have been numerous movies made on the theme of a younger woman becoming infatuated with an older man. In that sense, 'Ek Je Aachhe Konya' isn't too different. Subrata Sen does a good job of directing and writing. He did his research well and tells his story in the modern city.Rupa, Anjan and Ria are people of modern Calcutta. They are sophisticated and smart. Anjan and Rupa work together respectively as creative head and photographer for an ad agency. While young Ria happens to be the granddaughter of new tenant Anjan's landlord. From the moment Ria sets eyes on Anjan, she develops an instant attraction and a strong liking. Though Anjan is slightly aware of this, he brushes it off as harmless. However, things start to go wrong when Rupa enters her picture.Debashree Roy does a decent job as Rupa. The actress has been working for years, hence she plays her part with ease. Sabyasachi Chakravarthy is alright. Finally Konkona Sen Sharma steals the show with her portrayal of the stubborn, obsessive and unexpectedly dangerous Ria. She is simply excellent and keeps surprising with her versatility.Thanks to Sen's writing, no time is wasted on unnecessary subplots as the focus is on the three 'protagonists'. However, 'Ek Je Aachhe Konya' bears a striking resemblance to 'The Crush' (1994) that starred Alicia Silverstone. I want to say that it's not a rip off but there are too much similarities. The songs are beautiful. For Konkona fans, 'Ek Je Aachhe Konya' is not to be missed because you'll see her in a completely different shade.