“The Hangover”
On the surface, ‘The Hangover’, looks like a run of the mill, average, ‘guy-comedy’. We’ve seen this stuff a million
times before and there’s no way, anyone’s going to show us anything new…. Boy, was I wrong!
You HAVE to watch this movie. Todd Philips, whose career highlights include Road Trip and Old School, shows a return to form with this film. I haven’t laughed so loud, & so long, in a long time. The movie is outrageous, irreverent and most importantly – insanely fun
ny! Its one of those films where you think you know what’s going to happen next, but you never see what’s coming next. The cast, including Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms & Zack Galifianikis are great and play well off each other. Zack, particularly really reminded me of John Belushi. The film is also peppered throughout with cameos – Ken Joeng, specifically, is hilarious. All in all, the movie was a hoot – remember the first time you saw Animal House? Expect something close to that.
“Munnabhai MBBS”
I was switching channels the other day and caught this again. I love this film. Raju Hirani’s film belongs in the 50’s. It harks back to the simple emotions, values & tastes that we as Indians, seem nostalgic about, but have sadly lost. Sanjay Dutt, who I normally avoid, was born to play this role. Maybe it’s the regret in his life, coupled with his roguish exterior, but he is Munnabhai. He plays him as a lovable, mischievous and naïve hood & given his stature and build, that’s a stellar achievement. There’s sweetness at his core, and I’m still puzzled about that. He is
also fortunate, in that, he surrounded by other able actors. Particular stand outs include Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and the late, Sunil Dutt. Sanjay Dutt’s scenes with his father are tinged with just enough irony, not to make it exploitative. Well directed, well written and well acted – you can’t go wrong with this movie.
“Thuruppu Gulan”
Listen – I’m no elitist but this movie was just the pits! I get it – there are those who like these kinds of movies. The over the top, crass, action filled, ‘masala’ films. I am, on occasion, one of those people. But this film fails on multiple levels. Mammootty’s performance borders on buffoonery – his single hook being the Kozhikode accent. Something has to be said for cinematography and styling in this film – its as if, someone ate a dozen bananas, a box of strawberries & drank buckets of Gelusil and threw up all over the set and actors! The plot too, is riddled with inconsistencies, and it doesn’t help that a major location in the film, meant to be a 5 star hotel, looks like any bungalow in Kerala.
To be fair, the film has a few good moments, but the film hardly rises to the standards of the kind of film it aspires to be. Say what you will about this particular brand of film, but when made well, they have an element of social commentary, are immensely entertaining and warrant repeat viewing. Ironically, ‘Thuruppu Gulan’, reminds you of a time when Malayalam films were great – they had something to say about the lives of average Malayaless, and did so, in a sophisticated and non-condescending manner. How the mighty have fallen.
“Vettam”
Priyadarshan, once made some of the best Malayalam films – I wonder what happened to him. Off late, he’s been reduced to a hack, remaking every mildly successful film he can get his hands on. His whole Hindi movie career is testament to this, and I can’t help but resent him for this.
Vettam is perhaps a step in the right direction. I don’t think it completely achieves what it set out to, but it’s a pretty good effort. Vaguely reminiscent of ‘French Kiss’ and Priyadarshan’s debut, ‘Poochakkoru Mookuthi’, the film follows a myriad of interconnected storylines, involving a jilted lover, a stolen necklace and a wedding in progress (amongst numerous others). While the plot can be a little confusing, the pay off is pretty cool. Priyadarshan’s eye for comedy framing too, is back in some sense & performances are consistent.
So, why am I not going to be watching this again any time soon? I’ve been thinking about that & I think it boils down to potential. With so many subplots running through the film, you’d think that at least one would have you rolling on the floor, breathless & hugging your sides. No such luck. The movie’s amusing in parts. But, you’d expect to be rewarded for following its break neck pacing, and this is where this film falters. Secondly, Malayalam comedies are becoming more and more ‘packaged’, with the same set of actors, servicing similar plots, time and again. There’s a certain sense of déjà vu that I couldn’t shake off. So, a good film no doubt, but no where as good as I wanted it to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment