Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2 Disc Set) Reviews

• "Hey - stay away from the Kiss of Loooove!"

  
  By A2HVL790PBWYTU on 2007-07-29
  Ah, another would-be frothy confection from Bollywood. JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM ("Dance, baby, dance") is a 2007 film starring two of my most favorite of Bollywood stars, Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta. I really had high hopes for this one, but, ultimately, not even the inclusion of the gorgeous Lara Dutta and the venerable Amitabh Bachchan can make this more than merely passable fare for me.
  
  In a London train station, two strangers, Rikki (Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira (Preity Zinta), discover that their expected train has been delayed. Forced to share a cafe table as they await some more, Rikki, a coarse scam artist who keeps asserting "I got class," quickly grates on the nerves of Alvira, who is a lovely but snobby Brit Pakistani. Nevertheless, they engage in a conversation and find out that they are both engaged and that both are, in fact, meeting their bethrotheds on the tardy train. They take turns narrating how they each met and got engaged to their intendeds (which, in turn, involves the French, a ticket to Hollywood, and Superman). Gradually, thru the course of their hanging out, Rikki and Alvira develop a mutual attraction, which places them in a fine pickle. Then, that dratted intermission comes along...
  
  ...Which actually is a good thing. The first half of the film is an interminable bore, alleviated only by the slick musical interludes. For the first hour, we're forced to view Rikki and Alvira's respective engagement scenes being played out. Unfortunately, most of these "flashback" sequences failed to hold my interest. Probably because I couldn't wait for the focus to go back to Rikki and Alvira.
  
  But, then, even the minutes following the intermission made me fidget in my seat as the film insisted on laying down one musical sequence (which seemed to draaaag forever) in which Rikki and Alvira daydream of how they would've fared together if their fiance/es hadn't been in the picture. I'm sorry, the song wasn't bad and the picturization was put together nicely, but I couldn't wait to get back to real time events. Soon after, though, the film improved. The requisite plot twist is introduced and things begin to liven up with the introduction of two characters: the swear-happy but very sexy prostitute Laila and the Mama-mollycoddled Satvinder. Thank goodness for them as they introduced a new energy to the film and decent laughs.
  
  Abhishek isn't bad here, although he's had better acting turns. In my opinion, he actually hams it up a bit as the brash and scheming Rikki. I understand, by the way, that his ring tone - a girl calling out, "Hey, Handsome!" - was voiced by his real life bride, Aishwarya Rai. I saw a clip of Abhi and Preity on Coffee With Karan, so I was very much aware that these two share some very good and fun chemistry in real life. The good news is that it translates to the big screen. Abhi and Preity make a good pair, although, in my opinion, Preity has the best screen chemistry with Saif Ali Khan. The other two in the romantic foursome are Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta, and they are both amusingly good, although Bobby, in his curls, look about as dubious as Abhi in his oily tresses and scruff. Amitabh Bachchan doesn't really have much to do with the plot, but his presence is welcome nonetheless. Here, he's dressed in a garish gypsy/pirate-ish wardrobe and, more or less, serves as the film's chorus, but thru the vehicle of the title song, which persists in popping up throughout the film.
  
  Speaking of the songs, they're certainly flamboyant and catchy enough. The musical acts are across-the-board slick, with some nice choreography, and show off some serious production values. The musical performances are really the high points of the movie as the camera catches the vibrancy and glamour pulsating off of the hard working, gyrating leads. And the highlight of highlights occurs during the dance competition's finals, wherein Rikki and Laila compete against Alvira and Steve. The title song is slammin', with my favorite version being the one played during that same dance competition finals. "Ticket to Hollywood" is my second favorite as Abhishek puts on the most pleading expressions. "Kiss of Love," a courtroom musical number, isn't bad (as a judge warns: "Stay away from the Kiss of Loooove!").
  
  So, JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM comes thru with the musical talent. But the filmmakers seemed to be banking on the music, the film's glossy look, some cosmopolitan locations, and star power to carry the picture. Nuh-uh. As it is, with the flimsy plot, the weak script, and its flair for indulgent frivolity, it's hard to take the film at face value. It just lacks that certain grounding. The sequences in Paris, for example, were so over-the-top (the players acted like they were in a mime show), my eyes were rolling non-stop. Too, there is a bit in Rikki's engagement tale which exploited Princess Di's passing, which, to me, is just crass. I'll even pick one last nit by pointing out that Alvira's butterfly tattoo seems to have mysteriously shifted from one upper breast to the other (one explanation, I guess, is that she's got the same tattoo on both breasts).
  
  If you're wondering what's on the 2nd disc of this movie, it's just some so-so special features (nothing to get excited about): 24 minutes of the "Making of the Songs" (which is actually not too shabby and does offer some insights into the film); the songs "Jhoom" and "Jhoom Jam" (which seems to be a remix version); 7 minutes of deleted scenes (but only in Hindi); and theatrical & TV promos.
  
  To reiterate, I had hopes for this one. And, with a more defined and tightened script, JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM could've been so much better. Everything else was certainly in place. However, there's enough in the film to make it three stars worthy for me. The best things about JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM are the teaming of Abhishek and Preity, the fun supporting performances of Lara Dutta and Bobby Deol, and the songs and dances. And, for the Bollywood purists (if there actually are such things), be aware that there is actual kissing here and *gasp* an actual reference to sex. I know, the vapors almost got me, too.
  
  

• Disappointing Movie

  
  By A1LTAE57OUG57Q on 2007-08-02
  I was expecting so much from this movie. Especially after watching the previews. I went to see this movie in the theater. What a huge disappointment. This is one of the first Yash Raj films that actually bored me to sleep. The first half was so boring, I wanted to walk out the movie cinema.Finally the second half had a little dancing but that was it.
  The music of this movie was nice. Not worth it to buy this dvd. rent it first.I give this movie 3 stars for the music and dancing, not the story line.
  
  
  

• Worst Movie Ever

  
  By A2B6NUFX0J9IGE on 2008-03-23
  This movie is a complete waste of time... would never ever watch it again even if someone paid me to do so... can't believe it's a Yash Raj production. Honestly, this movie doesn't deserve even a single star.
  
  

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