Agent Vinod (2012)

One of the most awaited movies of the year is out. Two years in making, by one of the finest thriller director in the country, filled with expectations of action and style. The obvious question everybody is asking is, whether it stands up on the hype. Well in my opinion, yes, most of the time.

The movie stars with murder of a KGB (Russian Intelligence) agent, which creates waves around the world, and a certain chain of events is kick started, which involves players from RAW, ISI, International Arms Dealers, Money Launders and certain private parties. An international conspiracy starts shaping, whose leads are scattered all across the globe, right from San Petersburg to London and from Somalia to Pakistan, unlike Hollywood movies the target of this conspiracy is India not the USA. And this is the only differentiating factor between Agent Vinod and any other American Spy thriller. Because right from the sensibility to the execution, the movie has an international feel. The action sequences are really good, the story line doses not have loopholes, background score, especially the theme music is captivating, and performances by lead as well as side characters are good.

Although the added advantages over any other Hollywood movie are a ‘Mujra’ and the definitive ‘Pungi’ which even James Bond never had a chance to witness!  

There are a lot of characters in the movie, and a lot of recognizable faces which are used aptly and for short durations. Personally I appreciate that, only the central characters are the constant focus in the movie, others come, play their part and vanish.

I would specially like to mention a action sequence, where the whole scene of around 3-4 minutes is filmed in a single shot, with a song being played in the background. Simply fantastic!

However on the flip side, there are at least 2 to 3 sequences where luck plays a major role rather than screenplay. Other part which I didn’t appreciate, was the characterization of Agent Vinod, as there is minimum background given for the character, nor there are any specific traits of his, which are depicted properly other than his risk taking attitude. Whenever you think about James Bond or Jason Bourne a specific persona comes to your mind, but I didn’t got any such image for Agent Vinod when I left the Cinema Hall. Maybe this was a conscious effort by the makes to have a unpredictable characterization for the Protagonist or maybe he is saving the same for a Sequel. However the positives simply overtake all the negatives by a good margin.

On the whole, the movie is the best effort till date in Hindi Cinema to make a spy thriller. If you like hi octane entertainment, this is the movie to go.

Rating ***1/2

Kahaani (2012)

The trailer of Kahaani reminded me of an episode of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’, the famous show dedicated to half hour mystery stories. That particular episode in itself was inspired by one of Hitchcock’s famous movie, ‘The Lady Vanishes’. I was sure that Kahaani was inspired by this story; alternatively I thought the movie may fall in the category of those stories which have a fascinating basic idea to begin with, but end up miserably because the story teller could not conclude the narrative in equally fascinating way.    

However after getting continuous positive feedback from all my friends, I became curious and went to the nearby single screen talkies, which I otherwise detest for various reasons. The movie catches your attention from the very first scene, as it’s a suspense film therefore I will not reveal much about the story. Only one thing I want to say is that, it’s neither a remake of that episode, not it has a dull ending.

Although the centre of the movie is a pregnant lady with a missing husband, the melodrama is kept at minimum, the movie remains on the basic problem all the time. The suspenseful environment is aptly created, as well as the supporting characters are well placed. Performance wise Vidya Balan is reliable as ever. However special mention needs to be given to two actors, one who plays the sympathetic sub inspector, and other one who plays IB officer.

Sujoy Ghosh is right on target with direction, story and screenplay, however I feel there are couple of loopholes in the story, but they could be ignored, as the grip on the narrative will not let you have time to think about what happened, rather you will be glued with the movie to know what is going to happen.

Overall it is a must watch.

Rating ****.

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

Danny Bolyle is a famous name in India considering the fact that he is a Hollywood movie director not an actor, he can easily give a run for the money in popularity to Steven Spielberg as well. However he had directed more than half a dozen movie in Hollywood before Slumdog Millionaire. One of those was A Life Less Ordinary in 1997.

The movie begins with Gabriel (Messenger of God), dressed in a professional outfit and pissed like a boss who’s bottom-line for the quarter has not been achieved, calling two of his employees (read Angels), who are in charge of the section that take cares of Love between Man and Woman on Earth. The problem being they have not been effective for some time and many of their cases have ended in divorce. As Gabriel himself is feeling the heat from Top Management i.e. God. He gives an ultimatum to the employees, that either they perform by cracking the latest case in hand, or they will be given pink slip.

The case in hand is a tough one, they need to make sure a beautiful and spoiled girl (Cameron Diaz) with a filthy rich father should fall in love with a floor cleaner (Ewan McGregor) who works for his father. The boy loses his employment because he is replaced by small robots who can clean floors more economically, his current girlfriend leaves him too, and whatever is left, is taken by the Angels, so that the boy can get into the play.

The boy decides to confront his ex-employer, and ends up in kidnapping his daughter in broad daylight. The girl is more than willing to help the boy in getting the ransom from her father, so that she could also have her share. She even couches the boy how to be a good kidnaper as well. (Ring any bells; I say a certain story idea lifted for latest Hindi Movie: ‘Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya’). How things go ahead forms rest of the story, and believe me things keep on getting wilder.

The thing that strikes you the most is the unassuming way in which humour keep on coming in the story, it will strike you where you expect least. Not to get away from the fact that the intervention by the Angels keeps the things interesting, the Angels keep on working hard on the case, getting humiliated and physically abused in the process just like a salesman. Love, Crime, Humour and Devine Intervention it has it all.

The movie is a dark comedy, and few times makes you laugh a loud, it remains on track for most of the time, however the climax is sort of a mix bag, and could have been better. However it makes a good watch for anybodies money.

Rating ***.