Film Review - Total Siyapaa

Border Issues

Film: Total Siyapaa
Cast: Ali Zafar, Yami Gautam, Kirron Kher
Directed by: E Niwas
Duration: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: * *

Inspired by the Spanish film Only Human (2004), Total Siyapaa had the potential to be witty film with comic situation but unfortunately, it gets lost in quick time. Set in London, Yami Gautam plays Asha who brings her boyfriend Aman (Ali Zafar) to meet her parents (Kirron, Anupam Kher) She hasn’t revealed the fact that he is a Pakistani and her family has a deep running distrust for the neighboring country. Her grandpa even brings out a rifle to boast about how many Pakistanis he killed during the war. 

In an already uptight situation, Aman drops a container of frozen soup which falls on a passerby’s head who is knocked down. It only dawns on him later that that man could well be his prospective father in law.  By the time they get there, he has vanished and the rest of the film revolves around searching for him.

The plot hits the peak in the first 30 odd minutes, after that it all goes downhill. The subplot of Asha’s sister and her husband is least bit engrossing. There are some funny lines and comic situations but the water runs dry quickly. Kirron Kher is the only silver lining in this otherwise average entertainer. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 9th Mar 2014

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Film Review - Shaadi Ke Side / Effects

 

The Adjustment Bureau

Film: Shaadi Ke Side / Effects

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor

Directed by: Saket Chaudhary

Duration: 2 hrs 25 mins

Rating: * * 1 / 2

After Pyaar Ke Side Effects, director Saket Chaudhary ventures into post marital blues with Shaadi Ke Side Effects. The film offers a mixed bag, there is a little bit of fun but the problem is that more often than not, it is either predictable or contrived. The issue of what happens between husband and wife after marriage and especially after having a child has been dealt with before, more so in Hollywood films.

This one tells the story from only the male point of view, it would have become a better film had they juxtaposed both sides of the story. The names of the two lead characters remain the same – Sid (Farhan Akhtar) and Trisha (Vidya Balan) are a couple, who manage to keep the spark alive in their marriage, but not for long. Soon she is pregnant and he thinks that her world is centered around the baby. Their lives turn topsy turvy when the baby comes, she quits her job to look after the baby while he is still struggling for that big break as a music composer.

Their relationship also takes a toll but there is nothing novel in the proceedings. The second half is very contrived as the plot introduces unnecessary complexities to make a point and the final stretch that involves a ‘twist’ drags its feet for too long.

When the film maintains a light tone, it is fun, there are a few smart lines (including one that refers to Virendra Sehwag) and there is the odd poignant point made about marriage but you wish the whole film would have been crisper, especially when it changes colors after interval. 

The songs are not particularly remarkable and I hope that our film makers would get over that obsession of shooting songs abroad, this time in Australia.

Vidya Balan is sincere in her act but it is Farhan Akhtar who carries the film through. His comic timing and his portrayal of emotions elevates the film considerably. Shaadi Ke Side Effects is like a meal which has a promising appetizer, bland main course with the odd tasty chutney.

Published in The Navhind Times on 2nd Mar 2014  
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Film Review - Dallas Buyers Club

The Positive People

 

Film: Dallas Buyers Club

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner 

Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée

Duration: 1 hr 55 mins

Rating: *  *  *  *  

Based on a true story of the 80’s, Dallas Buyers Club directed by the Canadian Frenchman Jean-Marc Vallée is a superior film that relies on the story telling, acting and gives ample food for thought. It is powered by two remarkable performances Matthew, McConaughey in the lead role and Jared Leto as his friend who happens to be a transgender, both are widely tipped to win the Oscar for their feat.

There are films that get you hooked right from the start and then there are those like Dallas Buyers Club that start off slowly off the blocks and then sink you in deeper and deeper as it progresses. By the end, you are deeply submerged in it. Set in Dallas Texas during the Reagan years, McConaughey (he lost 21 kilos for this role) plays Ron Woodroof, an electrician who is also a hustler of sorts and a rodeo enthusiast. Not surprisingly, coming from that part of that world and during that era, he is also a homophobic.

During a visit to a hospital the doctors discover that he has AIDS with barely a month to live.  Initially, he has the I-don’t-give a damn attitude but soon the reality dawns on him. Ostracized by his friends,he has to move home but doesn’t give up the fight easily. While the hospital tries to treat him with the AZT drug, which was still in experimental phases then under the close watch of the FDA which in turn was manipulated by the pharma giants. The doctor (Jennifer Garner) is sympathetic but Ron makes a trip to Mexico where he finds a more effective solution which is not approved in the U.S. "Screw the FDA, I'll be DOA!" he yells at them.

Ron smuggles the medicines and with the help of his new partner (business partner as he clarifies) Rayon, played by Jared Leto, who is a cross dresser with contacts, the Dallas buyers club is formed. HIV positive people come to his doorstep to buy the medicines. That brings him on loggerheads with the authorities and the latter half of the film delves on his fight for the rights of patients to take whatever drugs they may deem fit.

While there is a humanitarian angle to his efforts, he is also a capitalist at the core. Moreover he is also one who is prepared to take a chance with an open mind, perhaps because the situation forces him to. From being a homophobic, his attitude changes considerably over a period of time. Considering that even today gays are treated with contempt, Ron took a huge step forward and if the film can make even the slightest change (although one sincerely doubts) it will be a big bonus.

Jennifer Garner as the doctor with whom Ron even shares a platonic romance fits the bill. Jared Leto as a feisty transvestite gets it spot in and lends wonderful support to the lead actor. This is Matthew McConaughey’s best performance and his transformation reminds of Christian Bale, in The Machinist as well as The Fighter.

When you walk out of the theatre after watching the film, you are left with so much to admire and ponder about.

Published in The Navhind Times on 2nd Mar 2014  
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Film Review - Mr.Peabody and Sherman

Back To The Future

Film: Mr.Peabody and Sherman

Voices of: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter

Directed by: Rob Minkoff

Duration: 1 hr 32 mins

Rating: * * * 1 / 2

Inspired by the animated television series of the 1960’s Mr.Peabody and Sherman is a refreshing fun film for all age groups. Produced by Dreamworks, it is a departure from the usual standard format of animation films about the victory of the underdog. Instead, this one takes you on a joyride.

Sherman (voice of Max Charles) is a little boy adopted by Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell) who is a dog. But he is no ordinary dog, he has the wisdom of Yoda, the brain of Einstein (who also features in the film) and great physical skills as well. At school, Sherman gets into a tiff with Penny (Ariel Winter) and gets reprimanded for the same. To resolve the issue Mr. Peabody invites her family to his house and to impress Penny, Sherman shows her the WABAC which is basically a time machine. From there the journey begins as they land up in Egypt during the time of King Tutankhamun, they manage to escape that ordeal only to land in Italy during the time of Leonardo Da vinci (Stanley Tucci).

There are other historical events, people in the film including the Trojan War and Marie Antoinette, Sigmund Freud and George Washington also make an appearance in this adventure.

There are a lot of jokes and fun lines and some of them come from the most unexpected quarter at an unexpected time. In one scene, Penny is forced to marry King Tut and when Sherman comes to save her the astrologer says “We can’t cancel the wedding now, we have already booked the catering!”

The quality animation, the colors and little bit of slapstick humor will keep the kids entertained and they might even learn a thing or two about history. Mr.Peabody and Sherman is as good an outing for the family, as it gets.

 
Published in The Navhind Times on 2nd Mar 2014  
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Film Review - Non Stop

Up In The Air 

Film: Non-Stop

Cast: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra

Duration: 1 hr 46 mins

Rating: * * *

Non-Stop is one of those Hollywood thrillers that keeps you engrossed through its running time. A hijacking has made for some good entertainers over the years and Non-Stop builds up the tension, suspense very well and manages to keep the tempo up, till the last act.

Liam Neeson plays a U.S. air marshal who is going through a personal crisis. His daughter died at a young age, his wife left him and he has hit the bottle. While on duty on board a New York London flight he receives a text message via the planes wifi network. Deposit $150 million or someone will die on the plane in 20 minutes. Lo and behold, an unexpected death does occur and the cat and mouse game begins.

He keeps getting those messages giving him instructions while he tries to unravel the mystery as to which passenger might be the culprit. Julianne Moore plays a co-passenger who lends him a helping hand but even she is not above board.

With a simple plot, the build up is pretty strong but you do get the sense mid way that the final revelation may not live up to the expectation because the hole that is dug is too deep. Nevertheless, if you can ignore the last lap, this flight has sufficient tension to keep you hooked.

Even though we don’t associate him much with action movies, it helps that Liam Neeson is playing main character. For a man who is caught in a quandary, he is first rate. As an entertainer, the film is not too bad either.

Published in The  Navhind Times on 2nd March 2014

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