I went to a film on opening weekend, and all I got was lousy, unsurprising plot twists: Race
Abbas-Mustan's Race is largely disappointing and ineffective, though it does have its moments, like Akshaye in a fringed leather jacket
and boot-scootin' with Saif. This particular song also has a US Civil War-style confederate flag in the background - nooooo! - and interestingly I saw this movie the day after I saw the Sony Ericsson ad in which Hrithik might be wearing blackface (starting at :17)...eeep.
I do want to say one significant nice thing about Race: the two lead female characters, played by Bipasha and Katrina, actually have a lot to do in the story! They're not significant in the major action sequences, but they certainly do their share to move the plot along in other ways and have as much up their sleeves as Saif and Akshaye. And these are figurative sleeves, of course - BipKat usually wear tank tops, mini skirts, and wee dresses. There's a ton of skin in this movie, and some of it felt like the directors were compensating for the less-than-thrilling thriller they were making. "If you're not surprised when this character switches allegiances for the umpteenth time, how about seeing both Akshaye and Saif with no shirts!" (Though not at the same time, of course. Then someone would have had to come up with a clunky, stupid gay joke.)
Look out, Mr. Darcy! You're getting a run for your horse-accompanied, soaked-white-shirt smolder!
My further thoughts on Race are at Desicritics.
(Images courtesy of the official site.)
and boot-scootin' with Saif. This particular song also has a US Civil War-style confederate flag in the background - nooooo! - and interestingly I saw this movie the day after I saw the Sony Ericsson ad in which Hrithik might be wearing blackface (starting at :17)...eeep.
I do want to say one significant nice thing about Race: the two lead female characters, played by Bipasha and Katrina, actually have a lot to do in the story! They're not significant in the major action sequences, but they certainly do their share to move the plot along in other ways and have as much up their sleeves as Saif and Akshaye. And these are figurative sleeves, of course - BipKat usually wear tank tops, mini skirts, and wee dresses. There's a ton of skin in this movie, and some of it felt like the directors were compensating for the less-than-thrilling thriller they were making. "If you're not surprised when this character switches allegiances for the umpteenth time, how about seeing both Akshaye and Saif with no shirts!" (Though not at the same time, of course. Then someone would have had to come up with a clunky, stupid gay joke.)
Look out, Mr. Darcy! You're getting a run for your horse-accompanied, soaked-white-shirt smolder!
My further thoughts on Race are at Desicritics.
(Images courtesy of the official site.)
Comments
Okay, so the plot was quite predictable, the mechanisms for humour were contrived, but Akshaye and Saif were both good in their roles. Even the ladies having their moments of double & triple betrayals, it was good enough for me.
Admittedly, I think they had scope for a lot more if they did focus on the "why" ... * the jump into a car race in the end was almost silly, but I forgive a lot easier I guess.
This and the recent drought of Bolly-flicks too I guess had me pretty happy to see it.
Shweta - yep yep! And please do tell me if in some scenes he reminds you of a certain Sesame Street character.
indiequill - No trouble! It happened to come to my little town for a single showing, so of course I went. I'll see anything that the promoters are able to bring here because 1) a movie in the theater feels like a treat because it's relatively rare and 2) I want to boost the audience so they'll find it profitable to keep 'em comin'! I am definitely geeked for Tashan, Anil overdose notwithstanding. If he's got the dyed streaks, plays the fool, and gropes women twenty years younger, I think just one film could constitute a problematic amount.
.. then Tashan, then Bhootnath
As for Race: I'm guessing you read & thought 'oh dear, he actually liked it' :-P
As for Race, to each their own! :) I have only seen a handful of Abbas-Mustan's films (36 China Town, Humraaz, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (blech!), Baadshah, and Baazigar - Naqaab is on my list but only because of Akshaye) so I was interested in your discussion of Race within the larger context of the filmmakers' other projects.
Ooh - I finally watched another bolly flick after lord knows how many months (see my Munky Goes To Bollywood blog *shameless plug*)
:o)
the assasination scene with the guy ramming into bipashas car and then having his car damaged by that... ummm that's NOT going to help kill someone properly. you dont ram into things for the sake of doing that... i wanted to pull my hair out. however it was entertaining in a 'shut your brain off' way, which is always good
also, how expressionless was katrina kaif. her face doesn't register ANY emotion it seems
;o)
Anu - So understandable. Saif was definitely a high point.