Saturday, March 8, 2014

Queen of Hearts




Review

If I was asked to rate Priyanka, Kareena, Katrina, Anushka and Kangana on the basis of acting talent, I would perhaps place Kangana on the lowest rung. Not anymore. The ‘Queen’ has stolen my heart with her virgin Rajori act in the movie Queen, finely directed by Vikas Bahl.

The movie sets to establish that the one thing that makes for good cinema, much like good food or good writing, is the honesty with which it is created. Also for any movie to click, all the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle- like direction, acting, screen play, songs etc need to fit in seamlessly. In Queen, they do.

The movie begins with a dejected Kangana embarking on her solo honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam. From here on, it is a bitter sweet comical journey of self discovery and empowerment for the protagonist. Significantly, the supporting characters played by a hitherto unknown cast, tug your heartstrings as much as Kangana does. 
There is an adorable Punjabi family supporting the heroine Rani Mehra all along. There is Rajkumar Rao, playing the chauvinist hero to the subtle perfection. There is a leggy Lisa Haydon brightening up the screen with her gorgeous presence. And when Lisa leaves the screen you wonder ‘how the hell will this movie survive’? But it does. Because then you have three men sharing a room with Kangana who melt your heart with their vulnerabilities. There is a handsome dependable Russian, quirky adorable Japanese and a quiet calm Frenchman. Not to forget the ‘Oh-so-hot’ Italian restaurateur who offers a job to Kangana.

I loved the fact that there is no praising or drumming of any culture, even though we sample the best and the worst of both worlds. The story retains its warmth even as the screenplay moves forward along with the music. Okay, so you don't remember  the songs (other than the title track, 'London thumakda'), but you don’t feel the weight of the songs. In fact, Asha Bhonsle's 'Hungama Ho Gaya' is in perfect pitch in a night club.

That said, the director needs to be credited for capturing the subtle nuances. Like when Rajkumar Rao says ‘I Love You’and Kangana returns with an innocent ‘Thank You’. Or when Kangana prepares to brush lips for the first time, or even when Kangana deadpans while wearing her brassiere under a bed sheet.All said, the movie rests on the no-nonsense innocence of Kangana that she brandishes in this movie. 
 Queen is a fun trip along with a relatively unknown cast worth more than the gravity defying cast of the 100 crore club. Go watch it. Worth your money and worth your while.

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54 comments:

  1. Lovely review...quite like how I enjoyed the movie. Am so glad you liked this one :)

    Indeed a great screenplay, with superb acting and great music can pull of a "not so significant" movie through...if only people can flock to the theaters to watch this kind of cinema and make them 100 crores instead :) Anyway...that's my complaint I can take to another forum, I guess !

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    1. You are right Kajal. The relatively unknown cast of this one is worth more than the gravity defying idiots in the hundred crore club.

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  2. I'm watching it today. Kal raat ki ticket nahi mili - that must be a good sign that the movie is doing well.
    Looks like this one is going to stay in your mind a while, Alka!

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    1. Do let me know what you think about it once you have seen the movie Rickie.

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  3. I should catch this one. Thanks for the review, Alka. Other reviews of this film are also quite promising and like you I am beginning to like Kangana even before seeing this one.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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    1. Loved the detailed review (the link you posted on FB). Thank you Susan.
      Go watch it.

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  4. I want to see this one. You decided it for me

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    1. We'll talk once you have seen it Ritu. I would love to read about it via your nuanced eyes and refined pen.

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  5. I thought only I had felt all these emotions while watching this movie :) Loved it and your review too.

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    1. Thank you Sulekha. So good to see you here.
      :)

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  6. This one toh I have to watch. I just loved the trailers, the reviews and Kangana, of course!

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    1. I hope I have not raised expectations, but I seldom enjoy movies. I enjoyed this one.
      Maybe it was my kinda movie.

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  7. Thanks for the review ! Me gonna watch it :)

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    1. I hope I haven't raised expectations. Do let me know if you agree with this review.

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  8. Replies
    1. Frankly, I didn't. But she is honest and transparent.

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  9. Great review, Alkaji. And kudo's to you for not including any spoilers whatsoever!

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    1. Maybe I raised expectations but I enjoyed it, hence this post.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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  10. I love reading your reviews, Alka. Too bad they don't release relatively small budgeted movies in Brisbane.

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  11. Looks like we are seeing a better breed of Hindi movies lately.

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  12. Already on my list. Your reviews are very to the point and no non-sense. I love them.

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  13. Great review. On my to-watch list.

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  14. Its on my list now! and about songs in Indian movies, I always felt our movies needed those songs to take the movie through, the fact that Queen does not need it, speaks volumes of the quality...

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    1. I hope I have not raised expectations. It is not a path breaking movie but an endearing one time watch for sure.

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  15. Interesting setting there Alka. Your review almost makes me want to watch the movie. It wasn't on my list, but your review might just make me :)

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    1. Please don't go with high expectations Sid and you will enjoy the trip.

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  16. Saw it yesterday. The Delhi dialogues are just perfect "Job shob kyo karna hai...." and so are the bare facts shown as it is in Amsterdam and Paris. I think the cast selection team needs a pat for the perfect selection.

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  17. I really want to see this one!

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  18. Some reviews goes that this could be a feminist one! But your review sounds exciting and otherwise! Will try and see!

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    1. Danny, I am wary of extreme views either ways. There are no feminist connotations or bashing of genders or cultures. Yes the hero borders on being a chauvinist but he plays the role subtely. There is no preaching but everyone is free to draw their own inference. Go ahead and watch it when the baby is taking a nap.:)

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  19. I watched the movie yesterday. My God how I loved her.
    Excellent review!

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  20. I loved your review and made the decision to watch the movie based on it and how wonderfully it has paid off! Will always check for your reviews before watching any movie now

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    1. That is so kind of you Swapna. I seldom watch movies unless I have a gut feel going by the promos.
      The entire crop of unknown characters have done justice here. Who wouldn't fall in love with Chintu, Dadi, Jap or the Russian?

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  21. After reading this fab review I am planning to see this one! Story line and acting still sell good movies:0

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  22. I really want to watch this movie, more so after reading this review

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    1. Go ahead. Not an Oscar winning film but a sweet empowering tale of self discovery.

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  23. Hmmm...they played Shaadi k Side Effects and Jai Ho, but no Queen here! Anyway, I have other means! Just waiting for those options to open up. Still, its no comparison with the silver screen! In fact, I am getting frustrated of not getting a good Hindi film to watch on big screen! Hopefully, 2 States or Revolver Rani will end my fasting!

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    1. Wait for it to screen later this month. Hopefully it will.

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  24. You have already crowned the queen at the outset, not that it was needed. I'd never watch that movie even through the eye of a needle but I enjoyed your review.

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    1. Perhaps I went a bit overboard Uma. But after critiquing everything from politics to celebrities, for once, I wanted to be liberal in my praise!
      :)

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  25. I somehow always rated Kangana much higher - after her role in Fashion. As ever though, I wait for movie to hit the TV :)

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    1. Yep, she was good in Fashion. But her lisp and quirky mannerisms never worked for me. She surprised me this time.

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  26. Have read only good review s about this movie. Friends also gave positive feedback. On my to-see list

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  27. I saw the movie.Kangana is awesome.Music is good

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  28. i saw movie and i got bored with it coz it was predictable and irrational.is getting drunk and stripping is women empowerment and freedom for women or woman being independent?whats difference between rajkumar ( who rejects kangna after getiing london job coz she doesn't dress like west or is not modern) and kangna family where her dad and her brother stare at revealing woman.rajkumar and kangna FAMILY haS same behavior,why to show raj kumar as opportunist if her dad can peek at another woman private parts. i find hypocrisy to the core in the name of freedom to women?freedom to women is not about stripping to have sex or getting drunk like men.freedom or equal women rights is about independent thinking and its not about comparing or competing with men's perversion nature.many people who are into textbook feminism will like this movie.IF KANGNA CHARACTER IS RIGHT IN REJECTING RAJKUMAR FOR HIS BEHAVIOR/CHARACTER IN THE END,SHE SHOULD REJECT HER DAD AND BROTHER TOO FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR.BUT IT DOES N'T HAPPEN,SHOWING ONE SIDE OF COIN IN THE NAME OF FEMINISM OR INDEPENDENCE IS IGNORANCE.

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  29. Cool review, Alka :) Loved Queen a lot!

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