Almost perfect

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2008)

For a long time I wanted to see this movie, but the rental stores doesn't have it, and it's always checked out at the library. This movie had to be either really good (since it's a winner of 8 Oscars) or my luck is short. Either way, I finally got a chance to see Gandhi. After seeing it, I can understand why it was always checked out of the library.
I always found Richard Attenborough to be a good actor, but he's better at directing. He captures many wonderful scenes in this movie during Gandhi's life, particularly his thought-provoking speeches that left me speechless and the Amritsar Massacre that left me shocked. Not only did Attenborough's direction capture the film, but also with Ben Kingsley's performance. I've only seen him in two other films and he was great in both, but this is his trademark role. I did not see an actor, but Gandhi himself.
In addition, the cinematography pulled me into the film with its beautiful colors and photography of the landscapes. The score (although small compared to John Williams for E.T.) adds a touch to the film's story as well as the Indian culture. The set-decoration and costume design makes an authentic look to the time period and location as well.
But there's one thing that this film lacked, an emotional impact. I will admit that Ben Kingsley delivered lines that sent chills down my spine and wisdom to my ears, such as, "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." However, the actors don't make me cry or moved. It seemed that was left for other departments such as: the director, composer, and cinematographer, but they can only do so much. Compared to "The Extra-Terrestrial" I found myself crying with Drew Barrymore when E.T. dies and when E.T. says, "I'll be right here" before he leaves to go home. That's power Gandhi does not have enough of, which I anticipate for a multi Oscar-winning movie.
I may sound biased since E.T. was a movie I grew up with as a child, but it is a stronger film than Gandhi. Nonetheless, I am glad that Kingsley and Attenborough got the Oscars for actor and director, but picture should have most definitely been given to E.T. 9/10