Its been a while since I have seen a movie early enough to post a meaningful review. Thanks to my parents and the cooperation of my kids, we got to see Ranjhanaa, and I'm glad I did.
Ranjhanaa is a love story that works on many levels. It is unpredictable in several parts, predictable in far fewer instances than regular Hindi romantic films. But the success of its script is not in its unpredictability, but in its reality. Its two main characters are as ordinary, human and flawed as one would hope but not expect in a Hindi movie. Complete with good performances and cinematography, Ranjhanaa is definitely worth a watch.
Its heartening to see a movie shot in the Hindi belt of India and not as senseless as Dabaang. Varanasi, whenever included in a Hindi movie, is usually depicted with all its religiosity and depressing one-dimensional realities. In this movie it creates the perfect context for both the main characters. Despite never having traveled to that part of the country, and perhaps even more so because I have been away from India for so long, there is a strange romance about the chaotic existence of the city as depicted in this movie.
This is probably Sonam Kapoor's meatiest role to date. While Aisha seemed to come naturally to her, in this role she is entrusted to break her typical childish image. She puts in a decent performance overall, averaging some impressive scenes with other mediocre ones. While she has honed the skill of playing a bubbly girl (which actress hasn't?), she falls a bit short when it comes to showing her character's greatest flaws. Or perhaps it seems that way because of the actor she shares the screen with.
Dhanush impresses in this movie. This guy looks extremely unlike any other Hindi movie actor in the past decade, as far away from bulging biceps and Greek-god looks as one can be. I must admit I cringed at the thought of a South Indian actor who admits that he does not know Hindi portraying what seems like a "roadside Romeo" character from UP. But apart from a few dialogues where his accent shows in a subtle manner, he has done an impressive job hiding his lack of knowledge of Hindi. His extremely ordinary looks are his greatest asset in playing this character. He carries off the comic scenes and the emotional ones with panache. And if you have seen the promos, this guy can literally shave off years from his face!
He must share at least part of his success with the script writer. His character is both self-aware and wonderfully flawed. He is romantic, idiotic, impulsive and clueless and frankly that is much more multi-dimensional than the fluff Hindi movie heroes are made of. In the end I must crown this as my favorite part of this movie: the contradictory, flawed reality of his character.
The editing is crisp, and the direction is good. Music by AR Rahman is strictly average. But then again, a good script complemented with good performances never need the makeup of music and dance.
Ranjhanaa is a love story that works on many levels. It is unpredictable in several parts, predictable in far fewer instances than regular Hindi romantic films. But the success of its script is not in its unpredictability, but in its reality. Its two main characters are as ordinary, human and flawed as one would hope but not expect in a Hindi movie. Complete with good performances and cinematography, Ranjhanaa is definitely worth a watch.
Its heartening to see a movie shot in the Hindi belt of India and not as senseless as Dabaang. Varanasi, whenever included in a Hindi movie, is usually depicted with all its religiosity and depressing one-dimensional realities. In this movie it creates the perfect context for both the main characters. Despite never having traveled to that part of the country, and perhaps even more so because I have been away from India for so long, there is a strange romance about the chaotic existence of the city as depicted in this movie.
This is probably Sonam Kapoor's meatiest role to date. While Aisha seemed to come naturally to her, in this role she is entrusted to break her typical childish image. She puts in a decent performance overall, averaging some impressive scenes with other mediocre ones. While she has honed the skill of playing a bubbly girl (which actress hasn't?), she falls a bit short when it comes to showing her character's greatest flaws. Or perhaps it seems that way because of the actor she shares the screen with.
Dhanush impresses in this movie. This guy looks extremely unlike any other Hindi movie actor in the past decade, as far away from bulging biceps and Greek-god looks as one can be. I must admit I cringed at the thought of a South Indian actor who admits that he does not know Hindi portraying what seems like a "roadside Romeo" character from UP. But apart from a few dialogues where his accent shows in a subtle manner, he has done an impressive job hiding his lack of knowledge of Hindi. His extremely ordinary looks are his greatest asset in playing this character. He carries off the comic scenes and the emotional ones with panache. And if you have seen the promos, this guy can literally shave off years from his face!
He must share at least part of his success with the script writer. His character is both self-aware and wonderfully flawed. He is romantic, idiotic, impulsive and clueless and frankly that is much more multi-dimensional than the fluff Hindi movie heroes are made of. In the end I must crown this as my favorite part of this movie: the contradictory, flawed reality of his character.
The editing is crisp, and the direction is good. Music by AR Rahman is strictly average. But then again, a good script complemented with good performances never need the makeup of music and dance.
