Sandy’s review of Love Aaj Kal

Som |

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Nothing to trumpet about

Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Gisele

Directed By: Imtiaz Ali

Stars: ** 1/2

‘The secret of being a bore… is to tell everything’ said Voltaire and disappointingly Imtiaz Ali’s latest Love Aaj Kal turns out to be somewhat that. It makes sure to spell out every little detail that the characters are thinking, thereby not allowing the story to breathe on its own and connect. Imtiaz’s last film, Jab We Met was also quite a wordy film but it also came with a certain tenderness and tragic ironic that is missing here.

2hhhsmb Sandy’s review of Love Aaj Kal

The film starts on a shaky note where you have Jay (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) abruptly meeting at a club, sharing drinks, flirting and making out. They continue to date for a year and then oddly decide one day that it’s time to move on. Apparently, a long-distance romance has no future, they convince each other. Their exchange at this point is so frosty and matter-of-fact that it kind of makes it difficult to digest their passion for each other later on. They even hold a break-up party to mark the occasion. All of this does not ring true, because it seems odd that these two can’t figure out they have some feelings for each other. It’s almost a repeat of Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Naa in that sense, expect that such a premise seems plausible in a teenage flick. But here, where a 40 something Saif is playing a 20 something cad, it’s a big stretch.

So absence makes the heart grow fonder and even though they acquire different partners, their mind is set on each other. Yet, they do nothing about it and prefer to aimlessly be with people they don’t love. This is baffling and somewhat frustrating to watch because there’s nothing that is holding them back really. It’s also a little ridiculous then to see Saif in Dev D mode later on in the film.

While Jab We Met – for all its simplicity – turned out to be quite a heart-felt, intense film, this one is surprisingly conventional in its idea – of how love existed then and exists now – laila-majnu style!

That’s all there is to it, even if some scenes are refreshingly handled. The director juxtaposes the past and present to show how love as an emotion has survived in spite of us living in an age where temptations are too many and time too less. That is where the other Saif, as a Sikh character – the younger Rishi Kapoor – madly in love with a girl comes into the picture. This part is again very run-of-the-mill and does not add to the emotional resonance of the story.

loveaajkal1 Sandy’s review of Love Aaj Kal

To state it clearly – the premise and plot of the film is wishy washy. What works is the overall treatment and some interesting exchanges between the lead couple. Also, it gives a certain sense of modern day relationships that thrive through emails and chats. So when Saif is talking to Deepika in person, he goes ‘delete delete’ after he thinks he’s spoken too much. Again, a scene that points at today’s predicament is one where one of Saif’s girlfriends asks him if he loves her and he says, ‘Love..who knows what that is…I haven’t figured that out’ – that’s probably the most honest moment in the film.

There’s also a nice exchange between them after they break up. Both of them get playfully candid with each other pointing out the other person’s poor taste in clothes and so on. ‘Now that we’ve broken up, I can say these things to you,” Deepika says.

There are these nice touches for sure, but certainly not a film that connects as well as it should. Saif Ali Khan is a talented actor – we know that- but here he is miscast and is one of the prime reasons why this screenplay does not work as well as it should. A Ranbir Kapoor would have been a far better option. The role is clearly written for someone in his 20s or early 30s and demands a certain vulnerability that does not come with Saif. It’s five years too later for him, especially since he’s done parts like these with Salaam Namaste and Hum Tum. No wonder he looks more than a little ridiculous dancing on Twist.

Deepika is a very fresh face to watch but she’s just not upto the task when it comes to some of the key emotional scenes. And man, there are half a douzen references to her smile, which she flashes in the same way for all the scenes. So whether Saif is breaking off with her or having gol gappas with her, her dimpled smile never changes. Unfortunately, there isn’t much chemistry between them either.

Imtiaz Ali has clearly been burdened by expectations and has come with a film that is really just okay-dokey. This is a far more lavish films compared to his earlier Socha Na Tha, Ahista Ahista (as writer) and Jab We Met. But sadly lacks in emotional depth.

Love Aaj Kal – Shah’s mini review

‘Love Aaj Kal’ is just another love story

Is Love Aaj Kal a rip off?

A rushed note on Love Aaj Kal…

Karthik reviews Love Aaj Kal

There Are 22 Responses So Far. »

ritik 31 July 2009
06:38:36 am

Bang on review. I actually wanted to like the movie and was trying hard to. But by the end I had mixed feelings. Not a patch on JWM.

Also the placement of the songs is plain weird and a fairly decent soundtrack is thus wasted.

Shah 31 July 2009
06:39:04 am

Agree with you Sandy!

Som 31 July 2009
09:25:30 am

Thanks Sandy. You along with Ritik and Shah don’t seem to be over enthusiastic about the film unlike some media reviews.

To state it clearly – the premise and plot of the film is wishy washy.hat works is the overall treatment”

This holds true for Imtiaz’s earlier works, paper thin plot gets rescued by the lively and newfangled treatment.

Tango 31 July 2009
09:27:10 am

Thank you Sandy. I plan to check this out tomorrow.

I do have this general grudge that by and large we all judge a movie with reference to the makers best.

For example, Ramesh Sippy made Sholay and after that he made Shan, Sagar and Shakti (mind you they were all good movies) but somehow we always evaluated his movies with respect to Sholay as the standard, instead of watching the movie at hand as a seperate entity.

I intend to touch on this topic soon.

rks 31 July 2009
09:39:30 am

“This holds true for Imtiaz’s earlier works, paper thin plot gets rescued by the lively and newfangled treatment.”
Yes, but I think SNT was better with screenplay, JWM floundered in second half. With paper thin plots you always risk overdoing things.

Som 31 July 2009
10:10:19 am

What I like the most about Imtiaz’s works is his ability to sketch heartwarming characters with whom you tend to connect on an emotional level,you feel for them and each scene and dialogue written come across as a breath of fresh air.

julie 31 July 2009
04:57:54 pm

Good review sandy. Going by the very effusive reviews of LAK, I checked it out tonite and underwhelming is the just about the right term. Besides being underwhelming I found it to be utterly listless, paceless and boring for most part. The movie picks up only in the 2nd half of the 2nd half which means 3/4 of the film just goes by without striking a chord with me. The first few reels go so quickly as if the director is in a hurry to get on with the story.

Saif is good, but looks a tad too old for the energetic young college boy in London. Deepika disappoints overall. Her best to date might just be OSO. Just goes to show what a good director can do. Make a model turned actress act and that is precisely what Farah did with Deepika. Her accent is too pronounced and all over the place. Net net my rating is close to yours.

The movie will not sustain beyond the first week in my view. Lesson for me – never go by these paid reviews. Trust WOM and NG reviews and you will get a fair assesment of the quality of the film in question.

julie 31 July 2009
05:11:33 pm

And yes the film is not a patch on Hum Tum. Rani was superlative in HT and the chemistry between Saif and Rani was there to be seen. In this case there was no chemistry and one passing observation that I made about Deepika is that she does suit traditional Indian roles whereas this role really required somebody with a more Western look perhaps and idealogy. Her accent is a big giveaway. Which London born NRI speaks like that?

S T R E E T 31 July 2009
05:27:03 pm

“Saif Ali Khan is a talented actor – we know that- but here he is miscast and is one of the prime reasons why this screenplay does not work as well as it should. A Ranbir Kapoor would have been a far better option.”

Ranbir?? Ugghhh!! I don’t care what the role be.. cannt possibly beleive anyone would say Ranbir could play it better.

“The role is clearly written for someone in his 20s or early 30s and demands a certain vulnerability that does not come with Saif. It’s five years too later for him, especially since he’s done parts like these with Salaam Namaste and Hum Tum. No wonder he looks more than a little ridiculous dancing on Twist.”

I think this is grossly unfair to Saif. Saif is not 20, we all know that, but amongst the actors of his generation, he looks by far the closest.. and he looks the least ridiculous dancing twist ..definitely way less than Aamir/SrK/Salman/Akshay/ etc etc. Did you dismiss Aamir’s performance in RDB/DCH completely on the same grounds?

S T R E E T 31 July 2009
05:36:51 pm

“Which London born NRI speaks like that?”

OMG!! Did I read that right? You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me! Yet another grossly unfair criticism. Dunno where tio start with the list.. but here’s one.. Did Raj and Simran speak like London-born NRIs?

Gorilla 1 August 2009
03:41:36 am

hmmm…sandy, Julie, shah and rithik are so right.

Angels and Belds 1 August 2009
07:23:25 am

Love Aaj aur Kal – the Beld view…

Let me be the contrarian! Let me disagree vehemently with Sand and Jules for a change .

Ok lets start with saying that this movie is no classic – but refreshing it is! This movie isnt better than Jab we Met as a whole – but parts of it is much better than any part of Jab we Met.

There is a dialogue in the movie where Deepika tells Saif not to try to impress women – as then he looks like an idiot – when he is normal, he is much more cool. Ah! could someone repeat that dialogue to Imtiaz Ali please! Rohit..Abzee – u guys should!
It is obvious that Imtiaz tried to be too cute in this movie – too different and therein he screwed up in parts. This is one of those very few Bollywood flicks that gets better in the 2nd half – much much better. The first 10 mins of this movie is pure nonsense – the first song actually juxtaposes the present saif with the sardar saif – when the character of Rishi Kapoor hasnt still been introduced. Duh!! And let me say that I feel this whole Love Kal track was also inexplainable – i didnt see any lessons.
Where does this movie score then? The 2nd half, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the most touching and entertaining and realistic love parodies of modern times. The whole Saif – Deepika escapade in Delhi is the crowning moment of this movie – with the crowning song – Chor Bazari! kya track hai boss… While the story in the 2nd half is quite predictable – I think it had the no-nonsense subtle mark of Imtiaz written all over this.
Now to the music and performances – i dare say the music is better than Jab we met. very peppy and very tap ur feet types. Saif is looking old but has given his heart out for the role and it shows – he infuses an SRK like charm into this movie – very few can have same impact as SRK in the charm department – but Saif does in this movie. Best Saif performance since Parineeta. hats off… And now the one reason I may watch this movie again – Deepika! wow! she looks drop dead gorgeous and her performance is very spunky. She is right – her smile is much better than the blonde’s

So whats the Beld verdict…
Love Aaj Kal is a must watch not because its a great movie but yes parts of the movie are very different. One of the best 2nd halfs. Most charming performance by Saif and Deepika rocks! So guys and gals – forget the naysayers – trust Beld on this. Go watch this movie and make ur own judgement – believe me its worth your time and money…

Angels and Belds 1 August 2009
07:34:22 am

One more thing – this movie is like 2hr..10min – so thats another big big plus! wish every other director would have the sense to make 2hr movies.

on a separate note – finally watched Ghajini last night. awesome movie yaar. no wonder it netted 100+cr. aamir has done a fab job in the movie – was a little disappointed in the ending but overall good time pass.

RAJ 1 August 2009
08:25:23 am

Beld,

Agree with your review in its entirity…Infact watched the movie today in a completely full theatre…

AS you said its not a classic but do not deserve 2.5 stars as Sandy has given…The short duration is really a plus…

Its a clean entertainer and timepass on a weekend and i am sure the movie would do not less than 60 cr at the BO…

julie 1 August 2009
11:05:14 am

Hey beld – nothing contrarian yaar. Ultimately we both are pretty much on the same page when we say that we didn’t like the first half and the movie kind of works in the second half (although for me it is the 2nd half of 2nd half). I think that the director is well intentioned. It’s just the pace which is a bit languorous for my liking.

On Deepika – my problem is not her looks but her accent and Hindi pronunciation. It is woefully short of being perfect. In none of her previous ventures has her accent stuck out so rancidly. It is not just her but most other actresses of contemporary age that suffer from diction and accent problems. Kya karoon yaar, can’t help noticing these trivial details as I am stickler for perfect pronunciation. That is why comparisons with Madhuri and these actresses become inevitable.

Speaking of acting prowess, what did you make of the snippet when Deepika breaks down silently while perched on the ladder painting the ceiling. What a great demo of acting prowess, No??

On Saif I have never had problems with his acting capabilities. He is more than capable. It is just that he looks a bit miscast in this role. The highlight of the movie is certainly Rishi Kapoor for me.

rks 1 August 2009
03:31:07 pm

Let me chime in.
It tries to be different with it narrative style but it is a slow movie. And constant overlapping with past was a distraction for me and dragged the narrative.The movie looks and feels synthetic (Happy Breakup[I would love to see such a couple] and Saif at marraige).In end tried to woo the audience with typical Bollywood climax. There was nothing wrong in it but I felt marriage scene was very DDLJish.

rks 1 August 2009
03:54:39 pm

If it was not for romance genre, I would have said it would have tanked. But I think it would trend decently in all likelihood.

Som 1 August 2009
07:21:26 pm

Not a single word on Deepika, Rks?

rks 1 August 2009
07:32:21 pm

Som – Sufficient

ps: BTW, Second half is much better.

Som 1 August 2009
07:41:03 pm

Anyway I am not watching it today either.

Akshay 2 August 2009
01:03:51 am

Let me try to give a review based on various factors

Story : Strictly Average

Direction : Can see brilliance at places though sometimes dragging too

Dialogs : Gets cheesy at times, Saif gets too verbose

Saif : Looks very good in formals and must stick to that. Saif no more skin hugging t-shirts, leave that to Salman. Also Saif doesn’t look convincing in most part of the movie other than when he acts like a Casanova. For the whole movie one can see he is trying very hard.

Deepika : Looks very good (catch her in her bridal wear), Can’t dance and like Saif does not look too convincing playing sincere scenes

Rishi Kapoor : Top class, effortless, best of the pick

Instead of the Saif and Deepika I think other actors could have made the movie more believable.

Akshay 2 August 2009
01:07:52 am

Contemporary Plot : Could not relate to most of it, me and the storywriter live in different universe (infact I was wondering that with all Imtiaz Ali movies the protagonist is in love with someone else, gets married or is engaged to someone else, then realises that the love of his/her life is something else )

Imtiaz Ali has started a new genre “Confusing Love Stories”

Disclaimer : I love Jab We Met

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Som

Related Posts

There Are 22 Responses So Far. »

Leave a Reply