I think in the normal course, I would have faulted this flick mercilessly.
But as it emerged, as the first movie that my wife and I saw in a cinema hall in over 7 years without any little ones to care for, this one escapes.
Plus it is tough to totally pan a movie featuring a standout performance by Abhishek Bachchan, who is quickly emerging as the gold-standard for the post-Khans generation of Bollywood heart-throbs, a phenomenal cameo by Amitabh (difficult to believe he played this high energy role so soon after recovery from the latest ailments), Preity Zinta really living her role and to perfection, and music for the ages from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy...
What detracts from the movie are slipshod editing, a weak story line that leaves too many characters inadequately etched, lazy direction from Karan Johar that results in needlessly abrupt dialogues and interventions, shockingly unconvincing performances by Rani Mukherjee who sleepwalks through her (admittedly poorly crafted) role and Shahrukh Khan, who comes through only in patches....
...if nothing else, this movie shall mark the formal passing of the baton from King Khan to the jr Bachchan, in the same way that exactly 30 years back, Sholay saw the baton of the numero uno star in Bollywood transition from the so-called hero of the movie, Dharmendra, to the one who stole the hearts...Bachchan Senior.
...there are enough arresting scenes and sequences in this 3-hours-plus opus to ensure that Karan Johar recovers his investment and more. It is also a much better movie than the disastrous Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam. Karan's continuing love-affair with New York City comes through in his wonderful picture compositions across the East River - he captured all seasons and Fall in particular is spectacular. I had a tough time picking my favorite song - Mitva, the title number, and the two party songs featuring the Bachchans are all superb.
...it has been rumored that King Khan is not very happy with the attention that Karan Johar accorded Abhishek...hopefully Shahrukh realizes that he has had a worthy run as the second (and thankfully improved) coming of Dilip Kumar, and that all good things must end....
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3 comments:
I have not seen this movie and probably will not. I think KKKG did it for me as far as Karan Johan was concerned, with Kal Ho Na Ho striking the last nail in the coffin.
Instead I would recommend - Samay - a Sushmita Sen movie which is surprisingly slick and engrossing. (The ending is "inspired" but there is more than enough meat in the story itself to forgive this fact).
Did you watch the same movie I did???? What *I* saw was a poorly crafted movie with a wafer thin plot, needless (and pointless) characters and eminently forgettable music (except for Mitwaa).
I do agree with you, though, that Abhishek is shaping up to be a *really* good actor.
Rupa
Rupa
I think we saw the same movie - except for our diametrically opposite opinions on S-E-L's music, we are on the same page!
I think the desire to be sensational got the better of Mr Johar and the end result reflects the lack of quality in the screenplay and direction.
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