Fresh, inspiring and awfully sweet, debutant director Ayaan Mukherji’s ‘Wake Up Sid’ is sheer genius. Inspite of a simple and predictable story, ‘Wake Up Sid’ manages to feel bright and make you smile a lot. It’s so sweet, it almost hurts.
The story is quite obvious even from the titles and the promos. Sid Mehra (Ranbir) has just finished college and is completely aimless. On the very same day, he has a chance encounter with Aisha Banerjee (Konkona Sen Sharma) who is the exact opposite of what he is. The movie is basically about Sid’s journey from the day he’s out of college to the day he’s finally found his calling. The magic is however in the small moments of his learning; in his failures and his initial denial and later in his acceptance; in his realization of love and the direction of life. Each such moment has been scripted brilliantly and the performances are just right. Neither too loud, nor too subtle, Ayaan Mukherji has managed to brilliantly balance realism with story-telling. For instance, when Sid goes to meet his mom, he doesn’t give her a hug, and that was very like him. At another place, just the expressions on a mom’s face while playing with her son for a picture perfect moment do the talking. No dialogues are said, there isn’t a heavy background score. Just a few light guitar strings and her expressions make the audience feel exactly what Sid is feeling.
Another thing I loved about the movie was that though Sid grows up in the movie, he still remains a kid at heart. He doesn’t grow up beyond his capabilities and become a hero. He just conquers his demons and for him, that’s enough growing up. And again as I said, the magic is in the nuances. At one stage, he looks at Konkona and winks. That one second scene, that subtle mannerism of his, is another step in his personal journey.
Ranbir finally seems to have dug out his dad’s innocence and his mom’s good looks from his gene pool; not to mention the acting talent. Sid Mehra’s boyish and vulnerable charm is very likeable and (I know I’m repeating this but there is no other way to describe it) awfully sweet. Konkona Sen is, as always, a class act. She plays her part to perfection. But this is Ranbir’s movie all along. He alone, is the 10 reasons to watch ‘Wake Up Sid’. And then you’ve got Konkona, and the music.
The music is another super score by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. This trio has somehow sensed the change in music tastes or maybe they are being the change themselves. Right from Taare Zameen Par to Rock On and now to Wake Up Sid, their music is starting to change the feel of movies. What was Pianos in the 1970s was replaced by Violins and Keyboards during the 90s (remember Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi by Anu Malik) and now their music has primarily guitar strings. That is one reason why their music sounds so fresh and new.
If you’re still wondering, I’d say ‘Wake Up Sid’ is definitely a must watch. Yes, the story is predictable and we could’ve done with a little more witty humor considering it features college kids but the magic of the movie is in its feel. It comes across as nice, honest and extremely endearing, just like its protagonist Sid, and you don’t even have to switch off your brains to enjoy it.
Awesome review 😀
Y dint u book my tickets to Rocky 😦 Me wanna c the movie nwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!
Nyways, kabhi tho I wil catch up 😉
Seems to be a gud movie 😀
though Sid grows up in the movie, he still remains a kid at heart – aww thatz it! I want to watch the movie!
Happy weekend 😀
me: Happy Long Weekend!!! Tell me how you find it if you watch it.
Wake up wake up all of u 😀
Me first me first DANGANAKA 😀
me: Arey, on this post, No Danganaka, Only guitar strings – ting ting ting 🙂
‘TALK TO ME’
Cool section eh 8)
I had a very good feeling about the movie somehow;-D. Now thy I read this review i’ve got to watch it. Ranbhir kapoor has this superstar quality abt him. Will b bck to see wht the others have to say abt it;-)).
me: Seems like no one has watched it yet 🙂
Wow! That sounds wonderful! Yours in the second review of this movie that I have read and am dying to watch it now!!!!
Sounds absolutely wonderful!
me: I did like it! Tell me when u watch it 🙂
i did watch it.. ten on ten on ur review.
i have pretty much the same to say abt the movie. It was refreshing, minus those ‘bollywood frills’ and ranbir kapoor is absolutely delectable!
me: ‘Delectable’ is the word for ladies 🙂
This blog is looking good!!!
me: Yeah? I’m still sorting out a few widgets!
Oh! so Karan Johar struck gold and Ranbir too. I might watch it in another month or so. Was Konkana a fit in her role?
Do you think she was chosen only because they needed an older woman or is there more shades to her role?
me: Thankfully, this doesn’t look even remotely close to a KJ film! The thing with Konkona is that she fits every role 🙂 Though there aren’t many shades to her role but I think they didn’t have much choice. Who’d play Older girlfriend to Ranbir?
Actually, this time for once, she doesn’t overshadow the other actor!
Now that I love the ‘Iktara’ song in the movie, I have to catch WUS somehow. 🙂
Everybody has something nice to say about this movie 🙂 Plan to watch it tomorrow … I will come back and either agree or argue here 😆
me: I guess, knowing you, I’m sure you’d agree. 🙂
oh! my reader doesn’t show new posts in this blog of yours? 😦
Gud u posted on ur old blog.. that directed me here 🙂
we hd been teasing our bil with ‘wake up kid’.. you write quite pro-kind reviews rakesh.. n this one makes one go watch it quick…
me: ‘pro-kind’ reviews 😀
I wait for ur review like how… do u know?!!
me: How??? tell me 🙂
wonderfully written, i am waiting to watch it Rakesh!
and loved ur bit about the changing tastes in music over the years. yeah, SEL are an awesome trio…. they show genuis in thier remixes as well!!
hugssssssss for this review! hope to catch this movie soon! 😀 😀 😀
me: double hugs for ur review of my review 😀
I watched it over the weekend and loved it every bit! Wonderful watch!
me: Yeah, It is wonderful.
After reading your review,im dying to watch the movie.. Will try my level best to watch it..Moreover,the name ‘Sid’ is my fav,so there are more chances that i may watch this movie..
me: Who is ‘Sid’ – your fav _________ ? 😀
For obvious reasons, I am giving movies a miss for some time!
Will start going to cinemas again once my doctor says it’s OK!
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
me: Hadippa!!! 😀
I was waiting for this..I knew this post would come up 🙂
Is this your profession,Rakesh..I mean reviewing movies? ‘Cos a) you’re so good at it,you write so very well and b)you manage to watch all the latest releases first-day-first-show or at the latest second-day-first-show! How do you do it??
me: I try to be a pro. But unfortunately mag. editors don’t seem to be as generous as you 🙂
this is one of the movies I’m looking forward to watching 🙂
Thank you for the review,Rakesh!
BTW,Yuvaan lookes oh-sho-cute in the header 🙂
me: Thanku 😀
Dude, I did not read the review incase it may contain some spoilers, coz I really wanna watch it…..
So will come back later today and comment as I plan to watch the movie tonight 🙂
me: Actually even I never read reviews before watching a movie 🙂
OK, I saw it last night….
And I loved it 🙂
Those scenes you described, the one when he meets his mom, or the one where he photographs the neighbor’s kid …even I loved those scenes. And I also like the way they picturized the scene when he meets his dad with his appointment letter and salary. Done sensibly and sensitively, no over dramatization or over acting. Very todayish!
me: Yeah, very todayish. I liked that scene as well. Anupam Kher’s performance was very controlled. I’m surprised seeing the maturity of a young 24 year old director.
All in all, total paisa vasool movie i think. Light, relaxing, soothing music with all those guitar pieces..perfect weekend watch 🙂
me: That’s what I thought 🙂
Ayyooo… Me did not like it. For many reasons, and not just predictability which I have started to hate. There were many flaws, many. It came across as caricature in whole.
me: And I was seriously thinking that why does everybody agree to me so easily. There’s no fun 😛 Bhai, I think the story was not about ‘What happens next’, but ‘How’ so I don’t have a problem with predictability in such movies. I loved the movie basically for it’s feel which was very very pleasant. It made me feel good and made me smile a lot and even choke a bit. I guess, if a movie can do all that, and especially without being over the top, it definitely works for me.
Nothing against who liked it…My own few frenz loved it and are praising it but calling it sheer genius is thoda zada ho gaya bhai…
me: Bhai, I thought it was superb considering the guy (Ayaan) is only 24.
U review like a professional 🙂
me: 😀
m dying to c the film…just bac frm Goa 🙂
I love Ranbir and Konkona is just awesomeeeeeee!!! Is this film like Lakshya? in terms of how he evolves as a person, his journey, etc??
me: This film is similar to Lakshya to begin with. But it’s completely different as in his journey and his destination. Lakshya was about Hrithik growing into a Man and becoming a Hero but this one is about facing life and dealing with it but remaining a kid at heart. As I said, for Sid, that is enough growing up.
I read the first para… and I stopped… I gotta watch this movie now… !!
sounds good… taking ur word and going for it..
me: Tell me what you think
The first half is highly influenced by K-Jo kind of cinema. I do give him credit for the 2nd half though. He is young and has long way to go….Hope he doesn’t get trapped in K-Joish world…;)
me: C’mmon Vee, it wasn’t K-Jo at all. If you’re only talking about designer clothes, then that was his character. K-Jo’s characters are completely over the top like – Slam Bam Sam!!! What the F was Amitabh doing there.
You have recommended it quite highly, I see. Hmmm…maybe should catch this one sometime, despite my dislike towards anything K-Jo. But then again, I wonder if I should…you liked Wanted too! Oh boy! tough one this…
me: Wanted and WUS were as different as chalk and chicken.
You now seem to be reviewing ME on the basis of my reviews 🙂
Well…yeah, i guess i am 🙂
O.k. I grudgingly admit it. Despite my wariness regarding your movie likes, I did like ‘Wake up Sid’!! Just done watching it. Thought it was rather sweet and not over-the-top like most of KJo movies. Well…o.k. all of his movies.
me: See, I told you so – it wasn’t at all like a KJo movie. Btw, now should I review you based on your choice 😉
By all means! And let me know how the review turns out!
lo! whatsup! havent seen u online in the longest time or are u ‘invisible’?:)
me: Nope, have been flooded with work and planning for more work 😦 I read ur post on Karva Chauth but whenever tried to drop a comment (Ok won’t lie, did that once) it gave me an error and my long comment was lost… 😦
how strange cus i tried leaving a comment here and it gave me an error each time (okay, only one time:P) . Could post the comment only today!
Interesting..ok if u say so, I WILL watch it 🙂
Hows u Rakesh?
Keshi.
me: I’m good Keshi, How have you been? Good to see you back 🙂
but it was soooo predictable
me: As I said to Vee in a comment above, I think the story was not about ‘What happens next’, but ‘How’ so I don’t have a problem with predictability in such movies. I loved the movie basically for it’s feel which was very very pleasant.
Or maybe, I’ve become very sensitive after becoming a father 🙂
hello ji,when is the next post due?
Blue released!Mai aur Mrs Khanna released!All the Best (with all the oldie gabru pehalwans like Dutt jr & Devgan jr)released too!
Aap ka post kab release hoga?? 😀
me: thanku ji for the reminders… Unfortunately, I’m out on a trip this Friday and am going to a country where there are no cinemas 😦 Iss baar, aap hi dekh ke bata dijiye how was it 🙂
ah,the Yemen trip,right? Have a good trip!
Enjoy! 🙂
I saw this movie 3 times already, and every time I see it, I feel like seeing it again !