Movie Review: Prisoners..keeps you in captivity for too long

 
Its rare that I get to say that Hollywood made a movie that could’ve been much shorter and snappier. But this time, I can certainly say it. I missed some 10-15 minutes of the start of the movie and yet I found it too long to endure. Clocking at a rather long 2 hours 33 minutes, Prisoners takes its name a little too seriously and ends up making the audience feel like prisoners as well

This is especially sad since Prisoners is not a bad movie per se. Its got great acting, good direction for the most part and a decent script – but the length of the movie simply deals a deadly blow on all the other stuff. You reach a point wherein you don’t really care whether the movie succeeds in pulling a rabbit out of a hat at the ending, as long as you can exit the hall – the earlier the better. This has such an effect, that even when the film does throw in a dramatic twist that would’ve otherwise captivated you, you’re just too tired and exhausted to take notice

Prisoners does some things really well. It starts off (at least from the point I joined it) tense and excited with an investigation in full swing. Then you meet the two families, defeated and lost and that sets you on the downhill path. The increasing desperation and hopelessness of the situation is well shown till it starts feeling over done. At first one feels that maybe there isn’t much more to the script for them to show but by the end of it all – you are only left wondering why in the world did they delay it so much. In fact, what is most puzzling is that when it all comes to light – there are still plenty of seemingly unanswered questions – you wonder why the movie didn’t spend more time focusing on those

The cast does try its best to lift things up, with Hugh Jackman putting in a particularly strong performance – displaying the raw emotion of the helpless yet desperate father very convincingly. A big change from his Wolverine avatar but he is completely up to the task. Jake Gyllenhaal is also very good as the determined cop.

Watch Prisoners if you have enough time to kill and are willing to show a lot of patience in the hall while the director indulgently takes his time to tell his tale. Then and then alone, would this movie be worth your while and the ransom paid for the ticket money, feel justified

Movie Review: Rush..powers forward with panache

Two very different but nonetheless great movies in two days..now that’s more like it, Year 2013. Supremely directed by Ron Howard, Rush is a spectacle that deserves the biggest of screens – IMAX beckons..don’t miss it

Whether you are an F1 fan or not, whether you understand track dynamics or racing jargon is all immaterial. Based on a true story that can only be the stuff of immortals, Rush is a beautifully balanced act on and off the race track. The screeching of tyres, rustling of grass and roar of the engines is all there – but it just feel natural and in line with the story being told. Never is there an attempt to over-emphasize the racing bit; clever editing takes care of that

Normally such movies would have one protagonist, whose life you would follow, feel the highs and lows with and would ultimate emerge triumphant. However, when the same act is to be pulled off with almost two protagonists, neither of whom are really white knights – it’s a tough ask to build connect and empathy amongst the audience. Rush does this wonderfully well and Ron Howard can take a bow. With this movie, he has further stamped his credentials on credibly making realistic drama movies based on true stories (his others being A Beautiful Mind, Frost Nixon, Cinderalla Man etc.) and are further proof that he steer off fictional stuff like Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons

While the acting is good from both the leads (Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl) and Alexandra Maria Lara looks particularly lovely and expressive, most of the kudos for this one would go to the director, camerawork and crisp editing. The shots of the Japan Grand Prix and perfect use of the slow motion camera with the rain splashing in, is stuff that you would want to watch over and over again. Initially you might feel that there is very little context build up around the two leads – but that you realize is deliberate since the real story lies somewhere else. Clocking at a comfortable 2 hours and 2 minutes, there is never a dull moment in Rush

To sum up then, Rush powers through and reaches the chequered flag in style, much like the heroes it celebrates. Rush to the theaters and book your seats to watch this enthralling spectacle

Movie Review: The Lunchbox..is highly satiating

If you, like me, feel starved of having watched a really good movie lately, The Lunchbox couldn't have come at a better time. Critically acclaimed and highly lauded, Lunchbox deserves every bit of appreciation that comes its way and more. The recipe is simple, the ingredients pure and the result couldn't have been more pleasing to the eye. This one truly takes the cake

The movie itself is sheer poetry in motion, each scene having its own significance, each lingering moment with its own story to tell. Despite having a predictable plot-line, the director holds your attention for all through the comfortable 104 minutes it runs for. The writing is high quality – some of it almost seeming as if you are actually reading a book by an acclaimed author rather than watching a movie.

Taking an all too familiar setting and giving it its own desi twist allowing such focus on Mumbai and its daily life is only one feather in the pretty cap of debutante film-maker Ritesh Batra. From the songs that play in the background to the slight instances which might miss you the first time round every frame serves a purpose. If you watch it with a keen eye, there’s many a scene you would want to look back on and discuss with your  friends as to how brilliantly it was executed and the direction that achieved that result

What makes The Lunchbox even more of a treat is the superb cast that delivers it. Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the two main leads in the story, make it their own and its hard not to get connected. There aren’t any tight hugs and kisses, yet the bond is apparent and emotions are strong. Simple words convey far more meaning and the ending – wait..to reveal more would be unfair. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has impressed always and while he isn't at his best in this one, there’s no disappointment either

If you haven’t already placed your orders for this sumptuous meal go do it at once, a feast like this is always in high demand and you wouldn't want (DVD) leftovers with this one.

Bon apetit

Movie Review: Shuddh Desi Romance..is shuddh desi fun

Shuddh Desi Romance is not for the purists. Those who would get offended by a movie that light heartedly pokes fun at sacred institutions, blanket bans and staunch beliefs, may not fully appreciate the fun that this well written and well presented, ‘hatke’ romantic comedy has to offer. As to the others, well, hasten to the silver screen – plenty of fun awaits you

Shuddh Desi Romance fits the day and age it is written in perfectly. It captures today’s confused youth and a bewildered older generation wonderfully well, without taking itself too seriously. Between guffaws you might even pause to take a moment to wonder if there’s a deeper message that the movie wants to give but the movie purposefully gives you no time for such reflections. Its only towards the end, that it gives its subtle message without getting preachy about it. Nailed it

While the storyline and plot development of Shuddh Desi Romance can get extremely weird, its still good fun to watch and that tends to make one a lot less critical. If the plot itself is difficult to connect with, its the background chatter and support sequences that make it seem much more realistic. Society’s observations at the goings-on, random sequences and one line punches that have little to do with the main storyline demonstrate the smart writing of Shuddh Desi Romance. While the 22 kisses in Yeh Saali Zindagi seemed forced and unnecessary, the umpteen kisses in this one fit the context perfectly (okay, so it may be one or two too many)

As for the performances – its all in place. Some of the dialogues and exchanges would have otherwise sounded silly or cheesy but the sparkling chemistry between Parineeti and Sushant make them seem perfectly apt. Parineeti looks striking throughout in a role that one would now describe as her ‘comfort space’ but it is Sushant’s performance that stands out. A far cry from his role of Kai Po Che, he demonstrates the range he possesses as an actor and pulls of his character really well. Rishi Kapoor is a re-invented performer given his recent appearances and he plays the bewildered elder to perfection. Vaani also does a good job with her role for a debutante.

There you have it then, good writing, good acting and a refreshing presentation – what’s not to like. Unless you are the aforementioned purist, go book your tickets at the earliest