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Reviews
Bumboo (2012)
Almost better than the original
Confession: I saw the French original (L'emmerdeur) in French (I am a French translator) and was totally entertained. When I saw Bumboo, however, I had no clue that it was a remake (after purchasing rights). I was totally entertained again. The best part is that this film has been very well adapted and in fact is in some ways better than the original. BTW, I felt the same about Bheja Fry, which again is a copy from a French film by the same writer.
Small budget films are harshly massacred by high-brow critics. I see it happening with Bumboo too. Most reviews always fail in India because they do not give importance to the entertainment quotient. This is an entertaining film with full value for your money.
The plus points of the film are: excellent adaptation of the original plot; sticks to the original quite closely; local humor; not too much of crass or vulgar comedy. The taste of most of our audiences have been ruined by crass comedies -- so the audience may find this refined comedy difficult to understand and digest. Of course, some bits of hamming, crass jokes are there.
The negative points: the original script was good, but in the adaptation the same level of perfection is not there. Some average jokes (mainly because of the low budget) have crept in. Due to low budget perhaps stalwarts like Vinay Pathak and Rajat Kapoor are not there. They would have taken this film to an entirely different level. Most of the cast are just about adequate. Sterling performances would have really raised the bar of this film.
Excellence in script writing is what this film lacks. Which is sad because no real effort on the story was required. Direction too is just about good. With better scripting and direction, this film would have been a hit. Better acting and the film would have been a super hit.
Do watch the film because it is highly entertaining -- despite its several faults.
Want to end with another confession: I was so engrossed in the movie and laughing out aloud that I had no time to check the reactions of the audience.
Agent Vinod (2012)
A disappointing thriller
Agent Vinod -- disappointing. High production values and a mishmash of Bond/Bourne stories do not make a good film. The film had a lot of potential but its complex plot and too many characters ruins it. It is basically a patch work of action scenes stitched together with a tired old, SENSELESS, plot. However, local audiences who lap up Dabang/Bodyguard and other such disappointing movies will love it.
Sriram Raghavan disappoints big time. He seems to be a fan boy who does not seem to grow up. His "tribute" to earlier films and songs prevents him from growing up. He should make a film which HE likes and not poor imitations of what he liked. Both the director and the film had a lot of potential, but somewhere the potential is lost.
Good points: Very slick production values. Fairly good editing. Average direction and writing (except for the complex plot) Fairly competent acting
Bad points: It is a hackneyed plot which seems to be stitched from Bond/Bourne movies. I did not like the humor of the film. Action sequences are rather poor. Songs ruin an action thriller -- however clever an attempt! Movie is simply too long.
Fans of Bond/Bourne/Transporter who were thirsty for an Indian version of such films would be disappointed. If this film had succeeded it would have had the potential as a film series like Bond/Bourne/etc.
If you are a Bollywood fan, you can definitely watch it once. However, there is no repeat value.
Lafangey Parindey (2010)
Highly entertaining film about life and love with gangsterism in the backdrop. Full of surprises.
This film truly surprised me. I was expecting one of the same old formula gangster cum romance film; but, surprise, it takes pot shots at life! It is definitely one of the most entertaining films of the year. Gopi Puthran the story/screenplay/dialogs writer is truly a great find and we will certainly hear more about him.
In the acting department, the entire cast surprises you by giving very competent performances. I really loved the Bhai, KK Menon makes a good guest appearance. Both Deepika and Neil surprised me with their performance! All the other goofy named characters were also good.
The story is extremely well written and the film is well directed. The dialogs are memorable and strong! Mumbaiya and tapori (rowdy) language rules! This film reminds you of the good old day films where story and entertainment was paramount. Basically, that formula has been worked out for today's audience.
The songs and music are quite good. The photography too is quite good.
What is outstanding is the skating choreography (Sandro Guerro)! Deepika and Neil really shine in the skating scenes!
The end is a little bit abrupt and predictable!
Will I watch it again? Yes, of course. There is a bit of violence and gangsterism is the backdrop, but this film is about life and love. Definitely worth a watch, if not more. Go for it! Finally, a truly entertaining film.
Raajneeti (2010)
One of India's Best Political Thriller till Date!
When I went to see this movie, first day, first show, I was expecting it to be disappointing or very disappointing -- despite it being from a renown director like Prakash Jha. However, I was pleasantly surprised! At the end of 2 hours and 45 minutes -- I had seen one of India's best political thriller in decades!
It is interesting that Prakash Jha touts it as based on Mahabharat, but in reality it borrows a lot from Godfather! Many scenes remind you of the film, which was a classic. I think Prakash Jha needlessly tried to put the Mahabharat framework.
There are problems galore with the film -- like its length, too many characters, too many births and deaths, too many political rallies and political cavalcades, etc. However, these do not take away anything -- or not much -- from this brilliant masterpiece. Here is a true mirror to Indian politics today -- served to you absolutely raw and rare -- with blood spewing all over the place. It is a thriller to the core! Forget about the audience not knowing, what happens next -- the characters themselves have no clue as to what happens next. All happens at a rapid pace and the writing and editing is superb (but for the faults already noted).
On the acting front, I think Ranbir was very good, though I do not know whose idea was it to borrow from Godfather! Most of the actors are adequate. Katrina tries too hard and according to me fails miserably. Arjun Ramphal too was poor! Manoj Bajpai disappoints as I had high expectations from him. Nana Patekar is OK, but wish he was better. I loved Nikhila Trikha (transforming from a comrade teenager to a grandmother almost!) Ajay Devgn was good as usual -- I feel he is good only in Prakash Jha's films.
This is such a fast thriller that you do not have time to notice the music. Mora Piya song is very good. I loved it. It has an interesting fusion music and a very classical touch to it at the same time.
Despite all its shortcomings -- here is good cinema finally from Bollywood. So don't miss it!
Post-script: I saw it again on Saturday. I enjoyed it even more! Finally, I understood who is really who and the kind of details that Prakash Jha has put in the film. Noticed the music too -- part western, part Indian, part fusion! Noticed the acting nuances or lack of it! Appreciated Nana Patekar even better -- got the feeling that Jha made him underplay the role! I revise my opinion on his acting from OK to Good! If Jha had given him a freer hand, maybe he would have done even better! Wish there were a bit more great dialogues and take home messages -- that would have made it worth watching repeatedly.