ENGLISH VINGLISH (2012) Movie Review

ENGLISH VINGLISH (2012) Movie Review-
ENGLISH VINGLISH is the story of a woman who struggles with English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The film depicts the touching and transformational journey of a housewife, Shashi [Sridevi]. Circumstances make her resolute to prevail over this lack of confidence, master the language, teach the world a lesson or two on the way to becoming a self-assured and confident woman.

If Sridevi is the driving force on screen, it’s Gauri Shinde who stands out with a near-perfect film in her very first attempt. The concept is oven fresh and the handling of a number of sensitive and dramatic moments is noteworthy.

Gauri smartly integrates the songs in the narrative, although, I genuinely feel, the film would’ve excelled even without songs. The songs [Amit Trivedi], though situational, are soft and soothing. Cinematography [Laxman Utekar] captures the vibrant colors with dexterity.

ENGLISH VINGLISH is unimaginable without Sridevi. Correspondingly, I don’t think Sridevi could’ve got a more cohesive script to return to movies. This is unlike what the actress has done in the past. Think of Sridevi and you recall films like HIMMATWALA, CHAALBAAZ, NAGINA, MR. INDIA, CHANDNI, LAMHE, KHUDA GAWAH, LAADLA and JUDAAI. But the supremely talented actress also has non-glam roles like the one in SADMA to her credit. She returns to the big screen in a role that’s sans the frills, spectacle and theatrics and yet wins hearts. She’s stellar, in terrific form, immersing herself in this character, playing her age… so much so that after a point you forget you’re watching someone who has immortalized so many characters. What you carry home, and in your heart, is Shashi, a woman who is snubbed by her children and husband on various occasions for her lack of English-language skills, but overpowers her apprehensions and insecurities and emerges triumphant eventually.

Priya Anand, who has several South Indian language films to her credit, is excellent as Sridevi’s niece, the only person who understands her well, besides her lovable mother-in-law [Sulbha Deshpande]. Another actor to watch out for is Adil Hussain, who enacts the role of Sridevi’s husband, who often taunts her with the remark that she [Sridevi], his wife, was born to make laddoos. He’s natural to the core, addressing a role without going overboard. Sujata Kumar, as Sridevi’s elder sister, is splendid.

French actor Mehdi Nebbou is just right. Even when he’s speaking in French, the expression that he conveys says it all and that is the hallmark of a fine actor. However, when he speaks in French, subtitles in English were essential for the viewer to decipher or decode and would have adjoined considerable value to those extremely significant sequences. Amitabh Bachchan is simply fantastic in a cameo. Wish there was more of this legendary actor! Navika Kotia, enacting the role of the daughter, is first-rate, but it is the child actor, Shivansh Kotia, Sridevi’s son, who is endearing and steals your heart with his adorable antics. Sulbha Deshpande is admirable.

Sridevi’s classmates, each of them, pitch in neat performances. Right from the taxi driver from Pakistan to a South Indian guy to a Mexican nanny and of course, the English teacher, everyone stands out in their respective parts.

On the whole, ENGLISH VINGLISH is a remarkable motion picture. It’s amusing, emotional, heartrending and also insightful. An inspiring film with an overwhelming message. A must-watch for every parent, every child. Strongly recommended!

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KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL Movie Review

KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL Movie Review-

KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is not a sequel to MALAMAAL WEEKLY. The sole similarity is a lottery ticket. That apart, KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL has a fresh premise and is set in a different village as well. Sure, a few actors from the earlier film [MALAMAAL WEEKLY] feature in KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL as well, but they are portraying diverse characters. So, there!

Now to the valid question: Does KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL deliver as a film? Does it provide ample laughs, something you expect from a film of this genre? Does it please the entertainment seeking viewer who expects a wacky entertainer from an accomplished director? Unfortunately, KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL fails as a film, fails as an entertainer, fails to tickle your funny bone.

Johny [Shreyas Talpade] is petrified of everything and everyone. So much so that he’s labeled ‘Bakri’ by the entire village. Son of David [Om Puri], Johny does nothing other than buying lottery tickets every week. The only thing going in his life is his love for Maria [Madhhurima], the daughter of the sworn enemy of David — Peter [Paresh Rawal]. Armed with his tough-looking sons, Peter goes all out to make sure his daughter and Johny never marry, until one day, hope comes in the form a silent, strong but very hungry man, Sam [Nana Patekar].

Priyadarshan’s comic entertainers have a similar template and KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is no exception. It takes off as a light-hearted entertainer and the comic doses, a few of them, are amusing. Unfortunately, in view of the fact that the film boasts of a powerhouse of talent and the fact that the man at the helm of affairs is Priyadarshan, one expects a lot of dhamaal, with several kamaal situations woven in the plot. But the kamaal and dhamaal are limited to the title, not the script or the performances by its actors.

While the first half has a few interesting episodes, but seems stretched, the second hour seems never-ending, with not much meat in the screenplay. Nana’s past is as lame as the love story, while the enmity between Om Puri and Paresh Rawal appears fake as well. Even the drama that leads to the finale lacks the punch. In short, the screenplay is lackluster and uninspiring. There’s nothing that stays with you once the movie concludes.

The film lacks the by-now-famous Priyadarshan stamp. One would expect Priyadarshan to return with a slam-bang entertainer, but KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL is not in league with his earlier accomplished works. Priyadarshan’s movies — most of them — lack a popular musical score, but one expects the music of KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL to be pleasant, courtesy Sajid-Wajid, who are known for delivering chartbusters. However, the musical score is dull again.

With such extra-ordinary talent on board, one expects the performances to be top notch. Nana is wasted and so is Paresh Rawal. At least Nana gets ample screen time, but Paresh doesn’t even get that. Om Puri is his usual self. The sole actor who stands out is Shreyas Talpade, who enacts the part of a loser with credibility. He’s first-rate. Madhhurima hardly gets any scope.

Neeraj Vora provides a few laughs. Shakti Kapoor, Asrani, Razzak Khan and Pratima Kazmi are gap fillers. Rajeev Pillai, as Paresh Rawal’s son, is perfect. Anjana Sukhani’s song in the concluding stages seems forced.

On the whole, there’s no kamaal or dhamaal in KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL. This one’s a dud!

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BARFI! Movie Review

Release date: 14 Sept 2012

 Rating : 3.75/5

Director : Anurag Basu

Producer : Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapoor

Music Director : Pritam

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D’Cruz

Ranbir Kapoor, who has given a super hit with ‘Rockstar’ is again back with Barfi. This film, which marks the debut of South Indian hottie Ileana, has Priyanka Chopra in the main lead. Anurag Basu directs Barfi, while UTV produces this romantic love story. Right form the film was announced Barfi was in much news as Ranbir and Priyanka play physically challenged characters in the film. The promos have heavily caught the imagination of moviegoers and after a lot of promotion and hype the film has finally hit the screens, lets see how it fares.

Story :
Murphy(Ranbir Kapoor) is a happy go lucky person in Darjeeling, who always has something up his sleeve. Though he is deaf and dumb, he lives his life on his own terms. One day he comes across Shruthi(Ileana) and falls in love her. His love hardly lasts as Shruthi gets engaged and leaves Darjeeling. On the other hand Jhilmil(Priyanka Chopra) an autistic patient, is brought to Darjeeling as her grand father is in a serious condition. Right when Barfi is recovering his heart break, his father falls ill. Barfi needs money to save his ailing father, and in the process kidnaps Jhilmil, who herself wants leave her house because of her troubled parents. Murphy takes Jhilmil to Calcutta and once again comes across Shruthi there. He takes Shruthi’s help and starts a new life in Calcutta. Rest of the story forms as to how a innocent Murphy takes care of Jhilmil? and how he is stuck between the two leading ladies of his present life.

Plus Points :
Ranbir Kapoor steals the show once again in Barfi. He looks so fresh and carries the entire film on his shoulders. He is at ease with his mute character and shows subtle variation in his acting. With Rockstar he showed us his intense acting skills, here he brings out the innocent and lovable appeal all through the film. He brings traces of Charlie Chaplin in some the comedy scenes. Priyanka Chopra does a decent job in the film, and matches Ranbir pretty well. She doesn’t go over board with her character and is in line with the script of the film.
Ileana makes a perfect debut. She couldn’t have asked for a better role for her Bollywood debut. She appears right through out the film and has different shades to portray. She perfectly suits the role of a Bengali girl and is particularly awesome in the second half. The movie has a feel good factor right from the start and Ranbir’s character only adds to it. Last half an hour of the second half in gripping and has a suspense element also attached to the film. Saurabh Shukh, Ashish Vidhyarthi suit their roles aptly. Anurag brings out human emotions very well with Barfi. First half an hour of the movie has rib tickling comedy.

Minus Points :
The pacing of the movie might be a problem for some audience. Though a simple love story, pacing dips in most part of the movie. Barfi doesn’t have the regular commercial factors and will not liked by all kinds of viewers. Priyanka’s character in the second half lacks clarity. Though her character can speak, she is never shown conversing. Though the film is based in 70′s, it looks very contemporary. Some scenes such as the police chasing Ranbir have been dragged out right though out the film .

Technical Aspects:
Barfi has a feel good factor going right through out the film. Anurag Basu chooses a fresh subject and intervenes it beautifully with human emotions. Ranbir’s look as a small town boy is very well suited. Music is soothing and the title song in particular stands out, and is also shot well. Lyrics of the movie are heart touching and cinematography is unique. Though, the film is set in the 70′s, its looks contemporary in most of the scenes. Ileana’s look in particular stands out, and her costumes only add to her character. Screenplay of the movie is a bit slow and it sometimes hamper the flow of the film. Anurag Basu succeeds in getting good performances from his actors, and narrates Barfi in a different tone altogether. He sticks to the plot and doesn’t wary from the script.

Verdict :
On the whole, Barfi falls in those categories of feel good cinema. Scintillating performances, decent music and fresh look of the film are sure shot plus points. On the flip side Barfi doesn’t have the regular entertainment factors which Bollywood is getting used to recently. This is a kind of film where you need to leave all your inhibitions of movie watching, and just indulge in the experience. A simple film, simple story and some heart touching moments, Barfi is one film which is a must watch.
Rating : 4.00/5
Legend:
5 – Flawless
4 – Must Watch
3 – One Time Watch
2 – Wait for the DVD
1 – Stay Away

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