Although I felt that you tried to show the feeling of love between the two characters not as one which is develops out of admiration but instead as a love at first sight. Maybe this is the Sri Lankan way?!
I liked also the scene at the station when everyone understands that he reciprocates her love by letting her go her own way and giving her the opportunity to live a fulfilled and self determined live.
What I was missing though was the wonderful book ending to show the reconciliation with faith, when she, a successful lady, returned to the village and avoids shyly her first teacher and love - but decides to write the story and poignantly states her will to reconcile. (not only with her first love but also to apologize for taking credit - where credit was due to the ones who earned it - namely him - (I believe this could be an example to politicians and other people in Sri Lanka when they take credit for things accomplished by others.
I also felt that your character of the girl at 15 seemed to be portrait as a frail, vulnerable and weak (overwhelming sobbing - which for me spoiled the last 20 min of the film) but in the book she is a much stronger willed girl, who was eager to learn and looking for her own freedom . Assuming that your target audience consists of a mixture of young and old Sri Lankan people - the character of the girl could have been a perfect example for Sir Lankan women to overcome the male dominated society and to be able to find their own way in life!
I wish in your next movie you choose a story as beautiful as this one but also that you could bring about a modern context to it regarding relatable issues
I loved the way you used instead of the unfinished painting an unfinished piece of music script as a frame for the story - what a brilliant idea!
Ines baumann
(This is review about the Sinhala film Guru Githaya)
(This is review about the Sinhala film Guru Githaya)
