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Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts

Friday, March 21, 2014

Queen Review from Now Running!

Queen is intransitive story very much too similar to English Vinglish with how it has the central character's nervousness on embarking on a journey all by herself and later breaking the shackles of their reservations and reveling in the new found confidence but the two women chart their own journey.

Living a Life's by a book and where it takes this in the life of Rani is which focused on this movie. Rani (Kangana) learns her lesson much too late almost when she got dumped by her fiance Vijay (Rajkummar Rao) just a day before her wedding. Having yearned to witness her D-Day going perfectly, Rani is left shattered as her world comes crashing down. She unshackles herself in her room, hoping to escape the situation and the pain of being dumped. And her escapism only makes her stronger, she decides to go the unthinkable, set off for her honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam alone. What initially turns out to be a nightmarish idea, turns into a journey of self-discovery as the free spirited Rani tastes independence for the first time.

For a woman laced in the Indian garb, one who's saved herself for her husband and is proud of her virginity, Paris is a culture shock and just the contrast she is looking for to leave behind her life. However, the city turns out to be incomprehensible, ruthless and unaccommodating till she holds on to her reservations and miseries and the moment she lets go of it all, all thanks to her new found friend in Paris Vijaylakshmi (Lisa Haydon), she discovers a whole new life.

Vikas Bahl's Queen is an uplifting, bitter-sweet story that transports you into the film to become one with the author-backed character. The filmmaker doesn't work too much on the story but on the character and her experiences for that forms the backbone of the film. The way Queen simply addresses the stereotyping of women in India and chauvinistic behavior of men and the social pressures is commendable. It's that very innocence of her character that's infectious and strikes a chord with the masses.

Rani stands tall all thanks to the many characters that come along in her story. Right from her family including the likes of her father, mother, younger brother and grandmother, all of whom might just be exactly like your parents to the ebullient, full of life Vijay-lakshmi, all the characters aide Rani towards self-discovery. Lisa Hayden is a complete surprise package who not only looks jaw-dropping gorgeous in her Indo-French role but also plays her part to the T. Rajkumar Rao though in a bit role is spot on. All the other actors who Rani meets on her journey too absolutely flawless.

There's never a dull moment in the film and though the movie treads on the predictable path in few instances it's the actor again that keeps you watching but what's also impressive is where you expect it to go the typical filmy way it beats you and gives an ending that's very befitting the plot.

 The ace in Vikas Bahl's Queen is the Queen of course. Kangana Ranaut sinks completely to become one with her character. She breathes life into Rani, a character that has the power to make you laugh or cry. Her innocence mixed with the childlike inquisitiveness to try anything new is infectious. There couldn't be a better Rani than Kangana Ranaut who gives a pitch-perfect portrayal.

The music actually plays an important part in the film and refreshingly so, doesn't get used for the sake of it, Music by Amit Trivedi deserves a special mention for composing tracks like London Thumakda, Ranjha and remixing the yesteryear track Hungama Ho Gaya.

To sum it up, Queen is one of the finest films this year that with all its simplicity strikes a chord with the mass. The movie deserves not one but repeated watch



Rating:****

Friday, March 14, 2014

Queen Review from BollyWood Hungama!!!

You enjoy a movie even more if it has the unforeseeable factor adjoined to its premise. Thankfully, a number of storytellers in Bollywood are aiming to surprise, shock and charm you with attention-grabbing yarns you haven't witnessed earlier on the Hindi screen. Some get it right, some don't, but what needs to be lauded is the effort to break the mould, to go beyond the stereotype. Vikas Bahl's QUEEN also dares to push the envelope.

The promos of QUEEN bring back memories of TANU WEDS MANU, partly because the protagonist [Rani] seems like a distant cousin of Tanu. But let's get one thing clear: The presence of Kangna Ranaut and North India setting apart, there's no commonality between TANU WEDS MANU and QUEEN. However, one can draw parallels with ENGLISH VINGLISH, since Shashi in ENGLISH VINGLISH and Rani in QUEEN are vulnerable and low on self-esteem, but eventually find their own voice once they resolve to venture out on their own accord.

QUEEN is about a shy and timid girl who travels to Paris and Amsterdam for her honeymoon all alone, when her beau calls off the wedding at the last minute. A quirky concept, yes. But this coming of age story is indeed enjoyable, despite the hiccups.

First, the premise! Rani [Kangna Ranaut] hails from a Punjabi family in Delhi. She has led a sheltered life, having been surrounded by her over-protective, but caring parents, doting grand-mom and younger brother Chintu. Rani is introduced to Vijay [Rajkummar Rao], the son of their family friend. Vijay is attracted to Rani and woos her relentlessly. Eventually, Rani gives in to Vijay's charms.

Vijay and Rani get engaged. Vijay is posted in London, but when he returns to Delhi for the wedding, he's a changed man. He calls off the wedding at the eleventh hour. Rani is heartbroken, her family is shattered as well. Rani resolves to take charge of her life. She decides to go on her honeymoon to Europe. All by herself...

QUEEN starts off as yet another attempt to encapsulate the middle class Punjabi set-up [based in New Delhi yet again!], replete with resplendent song-and-dance spectacle prior to the wedding, but quickly changes lanes as Rani sets out for Paris. Steering away from the conservative route of the woman wallowing in self-pity, Vikas Bahl tells Rani's story with insight and understanding and along with his team of writers [screenplay: Parveez Shaikh, Chaitally Parmar, Vikas Bahl] injects loads of optimism, besides spirited and lively episodes, to portray Rani's emotional rollercoaster journey.

What really works is the way Vikas presents Rani, his lead character. Rani [in her 20s] is no bimbette or abla naari, is stuck somewhere between tradition and modernity, but has a mind of her own. Her experiences outside the comfort zone [on foreign land], the interaction with varied people she encounters in Paris first and Amsterdam later, the atmospherics... the writers unfurl a tale that's utterly believable, besides creating a colorful canvas that's brimming with characters who are *not* cardboard cut-outs. Sure, a couple of episodes may seem quirky, but gel wonderfully in the scheme of things.

Having said that, QUEEN isn't fool-proof either. The bloated run time -- almost 2.30 hours -- acts as a roadblock. Also, the story stagnates in the second half. Besides, there are too many songs, especially in the first hour. As a result, the film feels elongated and also indulgent at times. Thankfully, the film is back on tracks towards the closing stages, when Rani meets Vijay in Delhi. The final act is indeed brilliant!

There seems to be an overdose of songs [Amit Trivedi] here. 'London Thumakda', 'Hungama' and 'O Gujariya' are effervescent compositions, while a couple of tracks only add to the run time. Cinematography deserves special mention. The DoP [Bobby Singh; additional cinematography: Siddharth Diwan] captures the sights and sounds of Paris and Amsterdam wonderfully. Dialogue [Anvita Dutt; additional dialogue: Kangna Ranaut] come across real.

It's hard to take your eyes off Kangna, who captures the nuances of her character spot-on. She's simply outstanding! Even when the goings-on appear stretched, Kangna doesn't miss a beat. The earnestness and sincerity she invests in her performance is for all to see. Additionally, the deglam look and the attire [jeans, kurtas, sweaters, handbag] makes it so believable. It won't be erroneous to state that she turns Rani into the most real woman you've encountered on the Hindi screen lately. Rajkummar Rao sparkles in a role not many actors would've dared to take up, while Lisa Haydon is simply delightful and supremely confident, complimenting Kangna through and through.

Mish Boyko [as Olik], Jeffrey Ho [as Taka], Guitobh Joseph [as Tim] and Marco Canadea [as Marcello] contribute wonderfully to their respective parts. The actors enacting the part of Kangna's parents, especially the grand-mom, are lovely.

On the whole, QUEEN reinvents the genre with its non-formulaic screenplay and skilled direction. A charming little film, this one's made with heart and feeling and it shows. Absolutely recommended! 

Rating:****

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