Movie: Ritu
Language: Malayalam
Date: 21- Aug -2009 Show: 9:00 pm


Review
A story teller who tries to touch upon too many ideas, themes and issues and looses the focus on the central theme. This for me is a one line gist of what the new Shyama Prasad movie 'Ritu' is.
'Ritu' is the story of Friendship and how it changes according to the times. In terms of the kind of youth oriented themes made in Malayalam, "Ritu' is definitely the kind of change one is looking for.It could easily have been the second 'Passenger' of the year but falls short terribly.


Life Changing Friendships
Many of us may have friendships that changed our lives for ever. That for once is a hugely relatable theme. 3 friends who have a 'hideout'. In this case it’s a stunning lake side with a dilapidated hanger near by. They share their best moments there. Their dreams, ambitions, love, hatred and despair. Even though the initial portions of the movie are affected by some below par acting by the new comers and issues related to dubbing, still we can over look these being their debut. Hence, as the friendship tale is shown, the first 45 minutes of the movie are quite enjoyable.

Lost Focus
Where the script and the director loose it is towards the end of the first half. The narrative meanders in to subjects like failed communists (Sharat's father and brother), people affected by land acquisition for IT parks and so on. Some of the scenes are so unimaginatively written that you would end up laughing. The sudden collapse of Sharat's father in the hospital and the message conveyed by the nurse, the rescue act by the doctors, everything is so shabby that it evokes laughter instead of the desired shock.

The interval point is somewhat fine and after that the movie again keeps moving in to unwanted territories. An over ambitious lady CEO who compromised on family life to get success. Her suffering husband and so on. Communist brother of Sharat and his friends boozing the night away. All this while the friendship theme takes a back seat.

The Single Friend
Ritu's friendship involves 3 people. Sharat, Varsha and Sunny but where 'Ritu' falls short is that it’s only the story of Sharat. Mostly Varsha and Sunny are shown only from the angle of what Sharat sees. Varsha and Sunny's characters are left underdeveloped. This for me is the major miss for Ritu’s script. Hence, when the friendship suffers, we empathize for Sharat and not for the other characters because they were never developed in our minds.

Music - Under utilized
‘Ritu’ has at least 3 superb tracks but Shyama Prasad commits the crime of wasting most of these. 'Venal Kattil' is lost in between sequences (though these are funny ones). 'Chanjalam' is again shown only partly as a passing affair. And finally when tracks are shown in focus, 'Pularumo' and ' Ku Ku Ku' come back to back within a gap of 2-3 minutes. The director doesn't know how to use a good soundtrack and commits hara-kiri with it. For me, who am an avid music fan, this is a major disappointment. Rahul Raj, though deserves kudos for the good tracks.

+Ves
The IT industry is shown in much better reality than in the movies like ‘Minnaminnikkottam’. And for once a youth oriented movie looks somewhat real. Performances are not breath taking but somewhat competent.
Nishan, as Sharat, the central character of the movie, delivers in places and falters in others. Rima as Varsha is a talent to look out for if she works on her dubbing. Asif as Sunny is also pretty much convincing.

Conclusion
'Ritu' will impress you in parts and will make you loose your interest for major parts. How we wish that Shyama Prasad has developed Varsha's and Sunny's characters and had kept focusing on friendship instead of other things. For once, there is a meaningful climax and for those who have had life changing friendships, the last scene may moist your eyes.

‘Ritu’ could have been a turning point for Malluwood and had everything going for it but what it remains is a hugely lost opportunity.

Verdict - Rating - 2/5
Opinion - Very Average.


‘Ritu’ - Of what could have been a wonder!!

Movie: Kaminey
Language : Hindi
Date : 15th Aug, 2009

Review
How far can a director compromise on the theme, presentation, script and screenplay of a movie to accommodate more span of the viewer population? Watching the movie 'Kaminey', you understand that Vishal has a somewhat clear answer to the above question. 'Kaminey' is a dark tale about the life, aspirations and misadventures of two distinctly unique characters who happen to be twins as well. The theme on the outset looks like a tried and tested formula in bollywood but Vishal makes a compelling depiction out of an oft repeated theme.

A Dark Thriller
'Kaminey' takes you on a ride along the thrilling lives of a gangster named 'Charlie' and an aspiring NGO activist named 'Guddu' whose follies make them encounter bigger goons, gangsters, dons and politicians. Their paths entwine in an interesting journey of mistaken identity, deceit, brotherhood and their past, along with the host of baddies breathing down their necks. What lacks in this ride, is that at many portions it takes its own sweet pace, which may irk you.

Performances
Shahid is stupendous as ‘Charlie’ and ‘Guddu’. His lisping and stammering takes on the twins, leave you in awe of this actor at a relatively young phase in his career. The mean, emotionless, dark and ambitious 'Charile' who pronounces every ‘S’ as ‘F’ is in stark contrast to the methodically aspiring, reserved, cute and romantic ‘Guddu’ who stammers. Shahid gets lot of help from the script which boasts of possibly the best conceived twins in recent times on screen. The characters have been sketched so distinctly that by the end, when the 2 characters come face to face, we almost feel that 2 actors are doing these roles. Shahid successfully negotiates the high adrenaline rush of Charile and the romantic scenes of Guddu.

Priyanka Chopra as ‘Sweety’ is loud and adds a lot of spunk, when she is on screen but frankly she has not much to do relatively.
The supporting cast has put in a good show with Amol Gupte being the pick of the lot.

Music Camera and Action
The cinematography is apt for a brooding gangster movie. Music goes well with the movie. The 'Dhan ta nan' song and the tune has been used well. The slow 'Pehli baar Mohabbat' is also nice but most of the tracks are ok for one time hear during the movie, as they flow well with the mood of it. Action scenes are shot well with a hollywoodisque touch.

Negatives
The major negative of 'Kaminey' is that it many times falters in pace. The proceedings till the interval look much better than what happens after it. The interval is a high point, though expected, but its a downward slope after that. Kaminey needs fair amount of patience to sit through. For majority of the commercial movie lovers, 'Kaminey' would not go down well with them. But from Vishal's point of view, he is just trying to tell the story in his own sweet time. But the question is does the majority of the audience think alike. Perhaps for a thriller, at many points a faster take was required.
Finally, 'Kaminey' is a good watch if you can keep aside your masala movie instincts and show some patience to take the ride along with the director, who wouldn't budge for many compromises.


Verdict : On a scale of 5, I would rate 'Kaminey' at 3.

My Opinion is "Good for the ones with Patience'.

Kaminey - A gut'f'y take!

Movie - Puthiya Mugham
Language - Malayalam
Date - 06th August, 2009, Thursday

Review
Out of shape heroes walking around even heavier villains and delivering lengthy dialogues about their prowess and animosity. Villains being defeated by the hero one by one, based on seniority. The senior most one being defeated at the climax. For many years now, Malayalam commercial action movies have been just these.

Debutant Director Diphan's 'Puthiya Mugham' just brings some difference to this oft repeated saga in recent action flicks in Malluwood. What remains as a disappointment is that, 'Puthiya Mugham' doesn't end up being a superlative action movie which would go down as a defining one in the history of Malluwood. Its a change but not a defining one.

The Plot
The plot has nothing new. It’s the oft repeated turn around, vengeance and revenge. Of the good guy been beaten up by the baddies and then decides to hit back with fire after being down and out.It has been one of the better kinds of plot for commercial action movies especially for young heroes to launch themselves as stars. Diphan has adopted the same and his version is slick to a point.

Prithvi Raj
Prithivi Raj is the soul of whatever 'Puthiya Mugham' is. Finally, it’s good to see a hero with the appropriate physique doing action scenes in Malayalam. In real life, he is battling against a star system in Malluwood and in this version of his reel life; he is seen fighting lots of baddies. Whatever is the reason, Prithvi sure has a lot of vengeance in his eyes and that comes across. But his performance is not a breath taking one.

Prithvi commits many errors. The scenes where he plays Mridangam looks artificial especially the mock act on the desk his first day at college. Also, the scene when he is badly being beaten up the seniors looks below par. Many a times he looks like 'acting' and not natural in that scene.

But his action is cool. Audiences react to him with applause and cheer at the interval scene. Perhaps, there is no other actor at present times in Malayalam who could have made this movie whatever it finally is, apart from him. And there is that little sense of pride when you seem him do those action scenes on screen.
Finally, after having seen Ajith,Vijay, Surya and Vikram for ages, we finally have someone our own (even though nowhere near them) to have an appropriate age, physique, looks to do a action role with some conviction.

Of the other performances, Bala is good though he could have worked better on looks. Priya Mani fits the role and is a fair choice. Meera Nandan looks out of place. Sai Kumar, Shammi Thilakan and Nedumudi are as usual.

Technical Departments
Direction sure has some promise but falls short. The action scenes look good and many a times you need to keep saying to yourself that you are watching a Malayalam film.
Diphan believes in having less lengthy dialogues of bravado and more of action unlike his guru Shaji Kailas who almost specializes in that. This for once is a relief in Malluwood. Many a times, the action is in the face and decisive. For once, Villains are not defeated one by one based on seniority. 2-3 of the senior guys are demolished in single blows which come as shocking at that moment on screen.Many a times, I got reminded of the superbly entertaining 'RUN'. But it never rose anywhere close to that.

Screen play is average to good and action scenes well choreographed. Music is good and has some cool tracks. 'Surya Mugham' during the title credits and its use in BGM is a defining one. Prthivi looks like a passionate singer as well. 'Rahasyamaayi' is a foot tapping number rendered by KK and Shilpa Rao. 'Picha Vecha Naal' is also good.

Negatives
Script has many holes. Initially Krishna Kumar (Prithivi) is shown as reluctant to go to college and not interested to learn and then suddenly after being beaten up and being down and out, why is he so motivated and driven to learn? The completely ill, down and out Prithvi returns to college and rises to complete anger in just one moment. Its not a gradual retaliation hence looks a bit unconvincing though one is sure to get carried away by that moments at the interval.
Audience never gets to really like the character of Krishna Kumar though girls are shown falling for him left, right and center. Hence his plight doesn't generate the same kind of empathy when is down. But anyways, the retaliation is presented with so much force that audience is ready to lap it up from there on.

Final Thoughts
‘Puthiya Mugham’ as a movie, even after being considered as a pure commercial masala action flick, deserves only average rating. But for once, it has something which has not happened on Malayalam screen for a long long time. A young hero with an unapologetic physique and fire in his eyes. Some in your face kind of action scenes which are well choreographed. Just for this unique selling points not seen in an aged Malluwood, I am going with a few notches above Average.

Verdict - In terms of Rating 2.5/5.

In terms of opinion ' JUST A TAD ABOVE THE AVERAGE'.

Puthiya Mugham -
Its of course a bit new but could have been far more convincing.

Movie : Love Aaj Kal
Language : Hindi
Show : 31st July, 2009


Review:
For many years, I have compulsively hated this scene from the super hit romantic movie 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' where a reluctant lover, SRK, lands at Kajol's house just before her wedding to Salman. He weeps and cringes 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Anjali Tum Nahin Samjogi'. It was the most contrived and hypocritical scene in Bollywood romance for me.
Director Imtiaz Ali's new movie 'Love Aaj Kal' has the very same situation when Saif lands at Deepika's house at her marriage to someone else. But the difference here is that this scene is so well and realistically handled, that all the distaste that I held for years, about the above 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' scene, vanished in no time. A new and sincere take indeed.

A model love story acting as an inspiration to a more casual and contemporary one. While Aditya Chopra struggled to make sense with this theme in 'Mohabatein', Imtiaz revels and excels with the same in 'Love Aaj Kal'. Move over Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar. The New King of Romance in Bollywood has arrived. And no this time, you do not have see romantic movies in the most contrived, soap opera type situations. Imtiaz makes them realistic, contemporary and mature.

Realistic, Contemporary and Mature
'Love Aaj Kal' is a movie which will make you have a smile on your face for most parts of it. Its one of the most mature takes on contemporary relationships in recent times. The 2 protagonists Jai and Meera are mature enough to let them go at various points of the story to gauge their love pangs. Its almost a journey through love. There are no clichéd situations may be except at the climax. I felt that it is may be a tad too mature take as well. The beginning of the movie sets tone for the proceedings to come.

Casting and Performances
Deepika appears really natural as Meera and the casting is perfect in that respect. She completely justifies her selection for the role. Saif is around 50-60% convincing. During the first half it was hard to see him doing this role. He looks aged and the pairing opposite Deepika looks a bit far stretched. But once the second half beings, he really puts in a good performance and covers up. His performance and looks as young Rishi is really good.
The actress who debutes as love interest of young Rishi is very innocent and good looking. She puts in a cute performance. Rishi is competent and Rahul Khanna is ho-hum.

Music
Needless to say that the music by Pritam is top notch. My favorite track was the all encompassing 'Ye Dooriyan'. I really loved its placing in the movie (at the very start) and also the way it shows the entire glimpse of things to come. Cool! 'Main Kya Hoon' is also a nice track. 'Chori Bazari' is fun on the run. 'Twist' was a tad disappointing due to lack of dance sequences. 'Ahun Ahun' was ok as well.

Directors' Delight
The way Imtiaz handles the screenplay is a treat to watch. As the narrative switches between the 2 love stories, old and contemporary the interest is never lost. And at the end, they culminate as one. Its difficult to handle such switching of canvas with such panache. May be in a serious theme like 'Rang De Basanti' its more easier to hold viewer interest, as you switch but Imtiaz does it masterly in a romantic theme. He keeps it simple, realistic and lovable.

Negatives
I feel that the 2 characters are a tad too mature for themselves and even for this age. So the audience may feel a bit disconnected. As the love story is not established in the beginning, the breakup don't empathize you but later the relationship keeps growing on you. Saif's dancing skills need some tuning and he is not fully convincing. The by now clichéd disco number at the end (same as Jab we Met) should have been avoided.

Verdict :
3.5/5 in terms of rating. 'GOOD' in terms of opinion.
Grab a bag of popcorn and hit the movies - You wouldn't wanna miss this one.

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About Me

The Rainmaker is intended as a blog for casual writing and bring about small little changes wherever possible.Initally, it would have movie reviews watched at the cinemas. For starters, movie reviews that I have written over over the past 2 years for Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil movies have been included here. ----------------------------- Next Likely Reviews - Ividam Swargamanu