I had heard of the infamous fart in the face bit, so that, and the fact that hardly anyone liked this one didn't boost my expectations for this film one bit. I was expecting the lowest brow comedy out there and that's pretty much what I got. However, it could be that whenever I think of Kareena, the over the top annoying Pooja comes to mind, or that my Akshay repertoire consists of nothing more than an Bobby Deol/Akshay starrer that would land on my "could've missed that" list, but I will bravely go against popular opinion and state for the record, that I actually didn't mind this movie (okay FilmiGirl, you can start backing me up now!)
Before I lose all credibility, I'm just going to touch on why I liked it, and then I'll talk about what was abhorrent. First, I actually liked Simrita's character, for the most part. Sure she was a bitch on heels, but I've known many woman who've thought they were wronged by the opposite sex and I know how it turns you bitter and cynical. What I liked about Simrita was that, beyond the tongue lashing model exterior there was a rather normal person with a semi-sweet side. Plus, for someone who has a reputation for being a bit of a princess, I thought the role was tailor made for Kareena. It was a breath of fresh air (for someone whose maybe only seen a half dozen of her movies) to see her play something other than the completely self-absorbed IQ challenged pretty face I'm used to. She was fierce when she needed to be and fun when she didn't.
Akshay, oh Akshay, I fail to grasp the magnetism that you hold over the ladies. Sure you've got the kind of body I wouldn't turn away at the door, but beyond that I'm still waiting to be won over by that charismatic charm that I've heard you possess. That being said, while I despised the fact that Viraj belonged to that group of misogynistic males that I loathe, he did exhibit some redeeming qualities as the story progressed. Not actually date-raping the drugged model gives me some hope that even the most callous of men can resist temptation. At any rate, maybe it was the mantra, or the fact that finally his tight pants squeezed some sense upward into his brain, but I didn't hate him so much when the film ended.
What I really liked about this film was the music. Om Mangalam, Lakh Lakh, Bebo, and Kambakkht Ishq are all feet thumping get up and dance songs that I admittedly enjoy on their own much more than with picturization. Though this is one instance where I'm probably glad I don't know Hindi that well, as I'm not sure if I'd feel the same knowing the lyrics. However, all the songs make excellent additions to my aerobic workout playlist.
So, all that being said, there were things I hated about this film. The airport detainment scene was probably one of the most atrociously reprehensible scenes I've seen in any Bollywood film so far. That's what they do to you? Really? While the hot blond watches? Screenwriters, directors and producers, please give your viewing audience some credit and think of actual funny ways to deal with a scene like that. Please.
Also, I can't believe that with all the talent in Hollywood (A, B and C grade included), they couldn't have come up with anyone better than Denise Richards to play second fiddle to Kareena. At least she wasn't given any kind of story really or any decent dialogue, because every time she talked I cringed. Why on earth anyone would want to have babies with this chick, golden or otherwise, is beyond me. All of the other Hollywood cameos I thought were pretty ridiculous (except for yummy Brandon Routh) including the homage to Sylvester Stallone. Good thing he had all those Rambo and Rocky movies under his belt or he could have been in some serious trouble in the hood.
I guess that wraps it up in a nutshell. Not bad acting, good music, terrible jokes, all rolled up in a neat little actiony package complete with footage "borrowed" from some red carpet Hollywood event (the Oscars maybe?). Don't watch Kambakht Ishq expecting anything more.
November 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Here's what I know about Denise Richards: she managed to ruin the line "You want to translate that for those of us who don't speak spy?" in Goldeneye. I mean, honestly, who does that? In all reality, she might be the reason I haven't seen KI yet.
November 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
She is atrocious, though there were so many bad things about her performance as Christmas Jones though, I'm pretty sure it was The World is not Enough?. She has a very small role in KI though. Definitely not a raunchy as I expected when compared to Golmaal Returns (which I would rate 3/10 on the funny scale). At least KI has a little bit of heart.
November 17, 2009 at 9:08 PM
"Akshay, I fail to grasp the magnetism that you hold over the ladies." Are you sure you want FilmiGirl to see this review?! ;-)
For those of use who started watching Akshay when he began, the pull was more from his movies. He had some fun films back in the 90s (Khiladi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Yeh Dillagi are my favorites). With his hair still on his head (they seem to have descended to his chin or disappeared completely), I do think he's pretty good looking too. His brainless and distinctly unfunny "comedies" though, have been seriously putting me off him, lately. So KI was never on my to-watch list, and from your recap, it doesnt seem worth seeking out, either.
November 18, 2009 at 7:28 AM
bollyviewer - I know FilmiGirl's a huge Akshay fan, but I never said I didn't like him (just his character). And I a totally want to see more of his movies. I have a feeling that it's his earlier work that will win me over.
I honestly did like this movie. I think my review comes off almost more negative that I intended it to, but there was really only a couple of things I didn't care for, and in the whole scope of the movie, that's not that many. I would actually rank it as my favorite stand alone Kareena movie.
November 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM
I second bollyviewer's thoughs, Akshay was really charming in his old movies like Khiladi and the others that bollyviewer has listed. This is top priority on my rental list and i love the songs especially Bebo, i'll let you know what i think once i see it. I actually don't mind Denise taht much, she fell on hard times, i liked her in Valentine opposite David Boreanaz.
Lol at Sylvester getting a hard time in the hood
November 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM
November 18, 2009 at 3:19 PM
bollywooddeewana - I haven't seen Valentine, but I have a semi-crush on David Boreanaz from his vampire days. I'm looking forward to seeing more Akshay.
tBF - He's too talented to waste on this kind of stuff. But then, he does have a fairly good record with it, so who am I to argue against the approach
There's got to be an audience for this type of comedy otherwise they'd have to stop making them. And there must be a reason we see stars like Akshay and Kareena sign on to do them. Either there's huge favors to repay, the money's too good to pass up, or they genuinely like the film. In any case, you can't please the masses everytime I suppose. I liked it enough to watch it twice in 3 days (once with my husband and once with my sister).
November 18, 2009 at 3:26 PM
tBF - P.S. I did read your review earlier. Good and valid points, esp. the global cinema factor (this certainly wouldn't have been my choice to represent Hindi cinema).
November 18, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Akshay was good in Yeh Dillagi as pointed out by Bollyviewer. This particular movie did not interest me at all. I generally am not very fond of Akshay Kumar or Kareena Kapoor movies (Jab We Met was an exception). Thanks for sharing your views on this movie.
November 18, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I friggin LOVE Om Mangalam. I could listen to it over and over.
This movie, however, is not one that is overly memorable. Even reading your post I was having a hard time remembering it all. Still, I'd easily put it above Love Aaj Kal from last night!!
November 19, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Filmbuff - I'm not sure why I felt the need to watch this movie right away because neither actors appears on my list of favorites (though I am starting to enjoy Kareena a little more). Thanks for stopping by!
Jules - OMG, you are right on the money with that one. I was very disappointed with that one, however, I will remember watching it probably forever! Aaaah, watch out for the fly!
November 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I liked Love Aaj Kal. Please see PPCC's very good review of the movie.
November 20, 2009 at 6:56 AM
I will head over and read it for sure. I failed to see what all the hype was about, and usually I can't get enough of Saif or a good romance.
November 22, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Shell - since you are a SRK fan, thought of sharing this with you. I saw Farah Khan's Chat Show "Tere Mere Beech Mein" (roughly translates as "between the two of us") on the weekend. The two volume DVD is based on celeberity talks based on a theme. Interetingly SRK's episode was about Henpecked husbands called "Jhoru ka Ghulam". He was chosen for this particular topic coz apparently his wife Gauri runs the SRK family show. It was very entertaining. I guess you may be able to hire this DVD from the local desi stores where you live in Canada
November 22, 2009 at 4:42 PM
my apologies for the typo ie extra "e" in celebrity -
November 23, 2009 at 6:41 AM
Thanks Filmbuff. Actually I did catch it on youtube right when it aired (though it didn't have subtitles). There's a channel available through my cable supplier that shows Tere Mere Beach Mein on a regular basis, I was thinking of subscribing to, but it's good to know that it may be available on dvd.