The Rainmaker

Movie : Luck By Chance.
Language : Hindi
Date : 02- Feb, 2009

Spolier alert : Some parts of the story have been used to review the movie.

Zoya - The Director
There is a dialog which Konkana's character tells to Frahaan's towards the end of the movie, Luck By Chance. Farhaan has made a lot of compromises in his life to get success but when he realises that he needs Konkana,he returns back to her and apologises and asks her company for the rest of the life. In 9/10 situations she would have embraced him with a hug and like any other quintessential bollywood movie, we would have seen a happy ending. But here is where Luck By Chance stands out. Konakana gives the most convincing dialogue of the movie in which she unearths the selfishness of Farhaan's.

That truly for me is the moment when Zoya left her eternal stamp in the movie. She could have been easily tempted to close the movie after Farhaan's dialog. It was a convincing apology and sincere. But she dared to give an umcompromising slap on the face of that irresistable temptation with Konkana's follow up.
A bold director and a bold step indeed!!

Movie
About the movie, Luck By Chance is no ordinary movie. It has greatness of a well crafted movie written all over it. Especially the dialogues and the direction. Both are of supreme quality. The screenplay could have been tighter. It has its own sweet pace which can be a taxing one for many.
The performances are supreme and the characterizations top notch. Music had nothing much to take home with you.

Performances
Farhaan just proves why he is the best bet for the 'next superstar with a substance' tag. He acts out a complex role with grey shades in a very convincing way. Watch him sparkle in the scene at the movie premiere, or the scene audition at Isha Sherwani's home, or the night scene when isha comes to his room, his conflict with his friend and his reaction when he sees Konakana at outdoor location as well as the last scene. Its all superb and top notch.
Farhaan's reaction at the movie hall when he sees the first audience reaction to his movie was the only place which was not suitably done. Though not cliched but it doesn't look appropriate.Konkana is superb in his role which pans the entire positiveness in the movie. She shines in a natural and convincing performance which is sure to fetch her laurels.

Of the rest, Rishi Kapoor as Romy Rolly is my favourite. He is remarkable in his scenes.Dimple is also great in her role. Juhi, Farhaan's drama actor friend,Isha Sherwani all are fine.

Stars galore
About the guest appearences. Hats off to Zoya for the finest handling of guest appearences in recent times. Of the lot I best liked SRK's as he has the right lines in which he makes Farhaan realise that he shouldn't forget his roots. Aamir is fine as well.Hrithik has an Ok role. Nothing great but just fine.

Negatives
Now to the -ves. Yes the movie has some. I felt that the movie is very strongly rooted in the hindi film industry.It has a message which says that 'You choose the Success you get' but the generic nature is limited. It will most be enjoyed by people who are very close to the hindi film industry. Even a spot boy to a superstar will love this movie much more than an ordinary cinegoer does. And there in lies the slight disconnection.
Also the pace of the movie is another issue.
Finally, Luck By Chance has a graph of its own. Like Rock On or say Lagaan it doesn't progess slowly upwards to end at a high culmination. Thats not a mistake by any means. Each story and film maker is free to choose individual graphs but there by lacks the impact.
But for daring to make such a movie with such uncompromisng wits. Superb characterizations, Great situations and performances, LucK By Chance needs to be applauded hugely.

Rating : 3.5/ 5 My head says that it deserves a 4 but my heart says 3.5. And I go with that. I place it below Rock On.
Verdict : Good