Post by amba on Jan 25, 2014 22:53:17 GMT
Here are Jenni's thoughts regarding this Manmohan Desai masala film:
Directed by Manmohan Desai.
Romantic masala on roller skates.
The many, many, many contrivances of destiny.
Even with the many fate driven complexities, this movie was very enjoyable and not nearly as convoluted as the plot might suggest. Even with the multiple traumas involved, the movie was light and not nearly as distressing or thought provoking as the plot might suggest (although a few tears - but no sobs - were shed by me when watching). Perhaps it was all the roller skating that lightened the mood (and funny to watch, especially at the beginning when Shashi was trying to be convincing as a roller skating expert when he wasn’t terribly confident on his skates).
There were a couple of very nicely crafted scenes - one is a game of musical chairs which, in between the music, outlines all of the complex relationships, emotions, and connections. And another where Rahul and his grumpy grandfather play marbles and get to know each other better. And a heart rending rendition of the theme song by Rahul, eventually joined by Prem choked me up a little even though it was shameless emotional manipulation on the part of the director. There was also a nice early 70's touch where the doctor chain smoked in the hospital. And a novel treatment for whatever illness it was that prevented Rahul from walking i.e. first give an injection then beat the child (reminder to self - must post in Medicine Only Possible in Bollywood thread). And a very lame roller-skating trick ramp.
I enjoyed all of the performances. Shashi and Sharmila were fine but Shatrughan Sinha (as Preeti’s fiancé and chain smoking doctor, Amar) and Master Tito (Rahul) were excellent. Amar was a jerk, but a jerk played with conviction. Child actors can sometimes be very very irritating (IMO) but master Tito was able to be just the right amount of engaging and wise cracking without being over the top cutesy/sacchariney/plain annoying (kind of mini 70’s boy Veronica Mars/Buffy type kid). Also kind of enjoyed Om Prakash (Preeti’s father) when he was interacting with Master Tito and being first challenged then gradually won over.
Songs and picturisation were OK. I think a great opportunity for a roller-skating song extravaganza was sadly overlooked however (and the movie, good though it was, would have been all the better for the inclusion of a roller skating song extravaganza in my opinion). Oh, and the repeated song in this film is the theme of the movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (with subtitles, which by the way, were helpful and really makes me think (even more) that all songs in movies should include subtitles - many more did in the older films, why not now?).
And here is the old thread.
Directed by Manmohan Desai.
Romantic masala on roller skates.
The many, many, many contrivances of destiny.
Even with the many fate driven complexities, this movie was very enjoyable and not nearly as convoluted as the plot might suggest. Even with the multiple traumas involved, the movie was light and not nearly as distressing or thought provoking as the plot might suggest (although a few tears - but no sobs - were shed by me when watching). Perhaps it was all the roller skating that lightened the mood (and funny to watch, especially at the beginning when Shashi was trying to be convincing as a roller skating expert when he wasn’t terribly confident on his skates).
There were a couple of very nicely crafted scenes - one is a game of musical chairs which, in between the music, outlines all of the complex relationships, emotions, and connections. And another where Rahul and his grumpy grandfather play marbles and get to know each other better. And a heart rending rendition of the theme song by Rahul, eventually joined by Prem choked me up a little even though it was shameless emotional manipulation on the part of the director. There was also a nice early 70's touch where the doctor chain smoked in the hospital. And a novel treatment for whatever illness it was that prevented Rahul from walking i.e. first give an injection then beat the child (reminder to self - must post in Medicine Only Possible in Bollywood thread). And a very lame roller-skating trick ramp.
I enjoyed all of the performances. Shashi and Sharmila were fine but Shatrughan Sinha (as Preeti’s fiancé and chain smoking doctor, Amar) and Master Tito (Rahul) were excellent. Amar was a jerk, but a jerk played with conviction. Child actors can sometimes be very very irritating (IMO) but master Tito was able to be just the right amount of engaging and wise cracking without being over the top cutesy/sacchariney/plain annoying (kind of mini 70’s boy Veronica Mars/Buffy type kid). Also kind of enjoyed Om Prakash (Preeti’s father) when he was interacting with Master Tito and being first challenged then gradually won over.
Songs and picturisation were OK. I think a great opportunity for a roller-skating song extravaganza was sadly overlooked however (and the movie, good though it was, would have been all the better for the inclusion of a roller skating song extravaganza in my opinion). Oh, and the repeated song in this film is the theme of the movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (with subtitles, which by the way, were helpful and really makes me think (even more) that all songs in movies should include subtitles - many more did in the older films, why not now?).
And here is the old thread.