New York

I’m still unsure if I want to write this review or not but it happens to be one of the handful of Hindi movies I have seen this year and in a drought of mind numbing crap Bollywood has churned out so far, it was at least mildly entertaining, if not more. The storyline isn’t as taut as it could have been and the performances are not extraordinary but then again, it is an ordinary film- and amidst the hooting and casual remarks that peppered the atmosphere of the movie hall, it wasn’t boring.
Neil Nitin Mukesh was perhaps the biggest let down. I wonder if it was the character that was supposed to be that way, or his acting skills are nothing like what people rave about. Gone were his attitude and piercing eyes, and we were introduced to an ordinary boy who could have been anyone. John Abraham was the only actor (except Irfan) who managed to churn out a decent performance. In fact the scenes in the detention center actually manage to horrify you and John played his part with absolute conviction. I remember reading somewhere that John had had an emotional breakdown while the shooting of these scenes. No wonder it turned out the way it did! I was mortified to see his bulging muscles though. What happened to the lean look of dostana?? We appreciate the endless hours you are spending in the gym John, but that buffed up look is both passé and puke inducing :/ Katrina’s acting skills are still the same- NIL :| Although she did what she was hired to do- be an eye candy. And judging by the drooling that could have resulted in a tsunami when she appeared on the screen, she is a perfectionist. Irfan Khan, with his unusual humor and sarcastic remarks, managed to leave a mark.
As for the storyline, it was like a slide show of scenes that came and went. The editing is nothing short of pathetic. When it comes to music, ‘Hai Junoon’ manages to touch your heart (I absolutely loved the lyrics- Kabhi …..jo milenge raaste, pal mein hi chamkegi hasi purani toh; Kaho …kya kahoge phir haimen, Kaise chupaoge nami ye palkon ki) The others songs are hardly noteworthy but I’d like to thank the director for refraining from adding the usual song and dance sequence that cuts you off from the film itself.
There were numerous desperate attempts to make the actual message of the film clear but somewhere along the line, it eludes you. Although I’m sure this film was made with a clear heart, but the part that actually left the hall speechless were when the credits were about to roll on and a series of typed messages concerning the actual incidents that had took place in America during the Twin Tower incident appeared. Even though there were scattered laughs when a partially naked John was being tortured and hooting when Neil shot a man, the pin drop silence was piercing as everyone squinted their eyes to read the message.
On the whole, it is not a bad entertainer. I’m sure it would become a semi-hit (despite of the patchy storyline and poor performances) but it has its flaws. Maybe I’m still reeling under information overload as a prior student of ‘Medium of Cinema’ ;P but the film has countless glitches. Do watch this film if:

*You love John and Katrina (In a completely shallow I-love-the-way-you-look-even-if-your-acting-skills-are-non-existent sort of way)
*You want to watch a decent enough film (It is better than the films it is pitted against)
*you want to watch a film with your family (Sans the torture scene and a brief make out session between John and Katrina, the film is hardly cringe-worthy)
*You want to watch a feel good film. The initial flashback of NY University is particularly refreshing (With 'Hai Junoon' playing in the backdrop)
*You want to witness a puppy eyed Neil drooling ever Katrina (It practically melts your heart every time he does that :))
The film does have its moments, I just wish there were more of them.

Don’t watch this film if:

*You want to watch a serious film based on 9/11 (ha!)
* You have too many expectations from Neil Nitin Mukesh
*You actually believed it when the director said in an interview that he has managed to bring out an extraordinary performance from Katrina (I love the girl but this is the height of exaggeration)
*You want to see a fast paced film (It doesn’t move at a snail’s pace but I didn’t exactly feel that I missed something when I went out to get popcorn)


For a cross between a masala flick and a film with a message (coming from a Muslim director who was pestered to no extent after the recent Mumbai incident) it is not bad. But yes, it is going to be forgotten on any coming Friday that churns out a better film.