I am a fan of Quentin Tarantino and love Indian movies so I was ready for the mishmash of cultures and influences when I popped this in the DVD player.
"Dream cast" is a description bandied about with the film and I only wish it were so. The cast splits evenly into the three better-known Indian actors and the lesser-known ones who do not impress.
Best things in this film:
Least good things about this film:
As a crime caper film, this version does deliver on the simple premise of watching the crime unfold. It satisfies and gives a new life to the story Tarantino unfolded. I liked it enough to want to watch it again.
"Dream cast" is a description bandied about with the film and I only wish it were so. The cast splits evenly into the three better-known Indian actors and the lesser-known ones who do not impress.
Best things in this film:
- Motivations for each character to be involved in the heist emerge clearly and connect the characters to their later actions and reactions. This internal consistency is essential for a heist film to work and whether the result of the Tarantino script or the Indian rehash, it works. The reasons each character is involved are clear and convincing.
- Sanjay Dutt has never impressed me but somewhere in the middle of the scene where he's interrogated by the police, I began to see how he was made for this role. The cadence he keeps is brilliant. The deadpan, droopy-eyed stare he's trademarked just works. Tarantino should use him in an English language production.
- Sunil Shetty's subplot is unoriginal. Still, he's magnetic because the romance subplot gives an opportunity for displaying an essential characteristic - despair mixed with menace that explodes when provoked. His character doesn't rise to the bait often but when he does, it's clear how much bad he can bring. When the character finally curses in English, I cheered.
Least good things about this film:
- The cinematography was so highly stylized that it distracted. LA is hot in summer but it sure as heck is not that yellow.
- The Americans in the film might as well be cardboard cutouts. I understand that the average Indian moviegoer may not see this but it's very noticeable to American viewers. The actors are very stiff. The plot point about the American detective wanting to get "those Indians" is wooden to the point of being laughable.
- No matter what you think of the American penchant for firearms and violence, you _will not_ find people target practicing in downtown LA on top of a hotel without SWAT being called. It's so ridiculous that it suspends belief in the story. And while you're at it, why do all of the actors look like they're afraid of guns? Even Sanjay "I carry firearms all the time" Dutt looks like he'd afraid of guns in the scenes where they are firing.
As a crime caper film, this version does deliver on the simple premise of watching the crime unfold. It satisfies and gives a new life to the story Tarantino unfolded. I liked it enough to want to watch it again.