“A Hindi movie about a kid with a rare disease wherein his body ages much faster than his age”; This synopsis would any day give me an idea about a melodramatic tissue fest and actually did turn me off even before I saw Paa. But I guess it was the lure of watching it on a huge screen under the winter sky was what made me go for it. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. Giving credit to R. Balki, Paa is surprisingly humorous and witty, two adjectives that you’d never expect reading the synopsis. The last 30 minutes or so become a little melodramatic but it is still far from the regular sentimental over the top treatment that such a subject would get from any other director. In that sense, the movie is a winner.
The movie starts off with Jaya Bachchan narrating the titles and this got me real confused. I mean, what were those expressions; somewhere between giggling on an adult joke and trying to suppress the urge to go to the loo. ABCL seems to be hard selling their family package – Sign any two people in the family and the third comes as a guest appearance absolutely free.
Enter Amitabh as Auro and my fears of him being over the top were whisked away after watching him on screen for just ten minutes. It is a relief that he gives a constrained performance. He is obviously not as cute as his class mates (and is not supposed to be either) but the good part is that he’s not repelling and he sort of grows on you through the movie. I’m not sure however about his mannerisms and the way he bends his arms while walking. But overall, he doesn’t seem to overshadow the story and that is good in a way. The other good thing is that the movie is not only about Auro and his disease or what he goes through. The harsh parts of his life have been done away with. The movie is more about his innocence, his friends and the story of his parents and that is what helps it to be refreshing rather than tiresome. It is indeed wonderful that the story focuses on the bright moments in an otherwise supposedly hard life. The best parts of the movie however are not the ones by Amitabh. The take on the media, I thought, was very comical and especially, the character of Auro’s best friend Vishnu – He has the best (funniest) lines in the movie. Children are such natural actors, they don’t really have to worry about comic timing. I wish they had more screen time.
Unfortunately then, the story tries to get serious and the love story between Abhishek and Vidya Balan stretches for a tad too long. When you have to wait for the obvious ending, it really gets boring (especially when you’re not in the cozy cinema seats but in straight back chairs in a lawn). The music isn’t all that great and considering that it is by Illaiyaraaja, it is a huge disappointment.
R. Balakrishnan (R. Balki – the writer and director) comes across as a very mature film maker. His is a unique brand of subtle humour that stems from serious issues and situations; be it the age difference in Cheeni Kum or the rare condition of a little ‘old’ boy in Paa. His stories tend to be positive, always looking at the lighter side. I guess, that is what eventually saves Paa.
———————————————————————————————————————
And I’m leaving you with some picures of the temporary 400 square metres screen at the Dubai Media City, Amphitheatre…
[…] the rest here: Paa – Movie Review « Located in Dubai but Heart in India Comments (0) Free Download Of Gravesend Online » « The Pirate Mom Dot Com » […]
[…] here to see the original: Paa – Movie Review « Located in Dubai but Heart in India By admin | category: movie review | tags: awful-lot, cohen, from-provocateur, movie […]
[…] here to read the rest: Paa – Movie Review « Located in Dubai but Heart in India Share and […]
Sounds like fun, I was a little weary of watching this one, but your review makes it sound good, will watch it, or atleast try to. How have you been otherwise?
me: I was weary as well. I’ve been good. When do you land in OZ land?
2nd?
me: Wow, not bad 😆
So it’s that bad. Has humour too!! I might watch it.
Nice pictures!!! You took these? I am no good at night pictures yet.
me: Did this come across as bad? I think I said, it’s ‘not bad’.
Yup, I took these pictures. Night pictures are tricky, I’m learning 🙂
Sounds interesting.. I was not sure if it would turn out this way. I might watch it – one day 🙂
The pics are amazing! You must have had a great experience watching the movie open air!
me: Yeah the setting was nice but the seats… I would’ve preferred no seating at all so people could’ve brought their mats and could’ve lied down 🙂
[…] Read more here: Paa – Movie Review « Located in Dubai but Heart in India […]
Phew… ok, so its watchable!! but i still am skeptical about Amitabh. I am so sick of seeing him everywhere!! 😡
And this emphitheater looks like “drive-in cinema” in ahmedabad! 😉
me: Yeah but you won’t realise that there’s Amitabh in the movie.
And this one was was more like ‘walk-in’ 🙂
I just didn’t feel like watching this film…..a decision helped by the fact that I didn’t like Cheeni Kam either.
Did you guys have headsets for the audio?
Nice pix!
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
me: No, there were speakers all around – 32 speakers. The sound was not all that loud but then in this kind of movie, no special sound effects are needed. So was ok.
Even I had the fears like you about it being a sob story… but had to see it as it has my favourite actor… and I m his biggest critic…
and Like you said it was a welcome relief… it wasnt a sob story and it wasnt about a disease either… there was a script… above all i felt at no point did I realise Amitabh was actually there in the movie.. it was a character… and amazingly witty and the dry jokes were sooper !!!!
apart from the two instances where abhishek uses the media i thought the movie was quite sensitive and sensible too !! 😀
I loved the movie… and let me tell you… this vidya balan looks hawt and really SEXY !!!!! 😛 😛 😛
me: Yeah, I felt a lot of people will feel that the media angle was going off-track but I somehow enjoyed it. Vidya Balan looks fine but she can’t act.
She doesnt need to act… ! Lol… I love her any ways !
me: lol… a friend of mine saw her at the airport and said that she’s very short and there only two things stand out when you see her 😛
How old is she? I remember watching her on ‘Hum Paanch’ when I was a kid.
me: ya ya – you were a kid when ‘Hum Paanch’ was running 😛 And we believe that 😛 😛
Hum to nanhe se chote se bachche the. Sacheeee. 😀
But seriously! How old is she? 37-38?
me: She’s even younger than me 😮 born 1 January 1978
She can’t be my age. 😐
me: Sue her then 😛
Surprisingly, I’m not a Vidya-fan, but felt she acted rather well in some of the parts! 🙂
me: When she was required to act in the last part of the movie, she appeared to be frozen lead.
Regardless I think she is VERY SEXY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me: Dhiren, have a cold water bath. We get it 😛 he he
Surprisingly I haven’t watched it yet. I have been shying away from it for quite some time now and I guess I will continue to shy away for few more days(weeks).
It would be too cynical for me to say can’t handle so many Bachchans at the same time, but the fact is that’s the reason.
me: 😀 I can understand – they’re everywhere these days
Coming to your review, I am glad it turned out like Auro’s performance that u have mentioned: constrained. Not selling the movie much, but also recommending it for a watch. Neat.
Btw, I hope ur wish of more screen time for Child actors applies to Children post-Makdee. Child Actors of yesteryear were over the top and irritatingly too big for their age, mouthing dialogues like a 70-year old.. 🙂
me: Makdee was something else – as you said very loud and irritating. I guess, children have to remain as they are – simple
I am going to watch this for sure. Read many good reviews by viewers (glad they aren’t paid reviews like Kurbaan’s)
Abhishek looks good after a long time.
Thanks Rakesh. I liked Cheeni Kum too.
me: Cheeni Kum was far better actually. And what’s the story with chetan bhagat on twitter? I’ve missed the boat
Nice pictures. We watched ‘Charlotte’s Web’ this year in open air with friends and their kids. It was fun.
me: Yeah open air movies are apt for kids.
Rakesh, Read this for Chetan Bhagat’s block
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/74010/India/Chetan+Bhagat+versus+the+rest+in+Twitter+world.html
http://mid-day.com/news/2009/dec/081209-Chetan-Bhagat-Twitter-Nikhil-Narayanan.htm
and go to twitter and search meme #chetanblocks
most of the tweets are howlarious.
I am not a fan of Chetan Bhagat’s books or tweets still I feel that things went a bit too far.
me: He he… I think it is ok for CB to be pissed off on piracy but he took the jokes too seriously, I guess.
Because of the links my comment is in moderation. 😀
Liked the review.Today saw amithab on ndvt talking like auro,liked the way he spoke.
I liked cheeni kum and sure i will like this movie also,will try to go this weekend.
Nice pictures.
Nice header but there are no numbers on the number plate.
me: Why do you want my car number? I can give you my phone number 😛 he he…
haha..you erased the number plate in the snap? Dude, what are you scared of? Some blogger tracking down your car thru your car number plate and staking you? 😉
Btw nice car. I think I already gaped over your Charger before.
me: he he… I dunno, just did it on impulse. I still gape over it everyday 😀
LOL I noticed tht too but then thought twice abt pulling his leg……one never knows how Rakesh might react 😮
me: Ahem, now you’re making me react 😛
I don’t mind having ur number.
Btw are u scared of dubai police that they will catch u for showing those mountains 😉
me: 😀 Phone number talks in private 😀
Hmm. Nice review.
Guess I’ll pick it up on TV later. Don’t think I’ll hit the screens for this one.
Right now, desperately waiting for ‘3 Idiots’ 🙂
me: Yeah obviously, 3 Idiots has Aamir Khan! I guess, after a while words like ‘Idiot’ and ‘Kaminey’ will feel sort of compliments 🙂
Surprise of all surprises, I watched this movie on an impulse among friends!
If felt the same about Jaya’s intro – too unprofessional, and seemingly done only to make the movie ‘different’.
There were a few ‘medical blunders’ – but have to be forgiven as the movie is Indian, I guess (but, TZP) was surprisingly quite accurate in this regard)!
Some of the lines were very predictable. But the best part was acting – I mean the range of expressions used and their appropriateness to the situations was very impressive. This becomes all the more amazing considering how many camera frames were close ups (actually, extreme closeups). Acting of the rival politician and grandma were also amazing.
Abhishek reminded me a bit of his role in Guru. Of course, the social problems and their solutions were oversimplified. Also, MBA after political sciences for someone aspiring to be a politician in India, reflected poor understanding of ground level Indian politics. But then, it could be pointed out that I should’ve overlooked such details. But the point is – either filmmakers should not include such details, or if they do include, then they must try to be accurate. It’s very easy to be accurate.
But on the whole, enjoyed watching the movie, and don’t regret the impulsive decision! 🙂
Thanks for the review!
TC.
me: Good that you enjoyed the movie. You need to get out more 😛
the movie is on the cards for the coming weekend.. usually prefer reading reviews after i watch a movie but couldnt resist this one.. and after reading this, i must go
btw.. whats wth the media city screening? details pls? is it a regular thing?
me: I never read reviews myself before watching a movie.
The Amphitheatre was in Dubai for around 12 days (already ended) – a different movie everyday and now this screen will be used for showing some DIFF movies.
Btw, are you interested in foreign language films (with english subtitles)? Quite a few good movies this DIFF.
hey, absolutely.. i would be very interested infact. i was just digging in on google for details on the DIFF screening.. please to help!:)
me: mailed you !
AND.. nice header there!
me: 😀
I saw the movie……liked it. Yeah ending was a bit melodramatic but still touches the heart.
I thought both Vidya Balan & Abhishek Bachchan were good and ofcourse Amitabh Bachchan was wonderful…he rose above his persona and delivered. After seeing him on screen we could be forgiven for thinking we know all his mannerisms but he still manages to surprise.
That friend kid was hilarious and tht little story abt the girl following him was lovely.
On the downside the reality stunt on the journalists was a bit over the top….but then it works coz its something everybody who have born the brunt would have dreamed abt I guess
AB is definitely going to get a few bagful of awards for this.
me: I seriously think that this performance isn’t really worth a lot of awards but he surely will win them
nice pics…
I am not too sure if I will be watching this movie in the theatre.
Might as well wait for it come on Cable TV.
me: yeah, it isn’t special…
Wow! Those pics r awesome! It must hv been a gr8 experience na 🙂 Thanks for sharing the pics 🙂
U r always gud @ writing reviews .. loved this one too! I wanna watch the movie too .. read many a gud reviews abt Vidya’s acting 🙂
me: Thanku thanku 🙂
so u say watchable haan
me: Yeah, I guess so.
I had decided that I’ll watch the movie,from the time the promos started appearing on TV. Now after reading your review I cant wait to see the movie.
Going to watch this weekend…yippieeee!!
I really like the way you write reviews! See,I kept my promise to be nice with you 😛 😀
me: I think you’re being ‘honest’ rather than nice. You do really ‘like’ my reviews, No? 😛
Unfortunately I’ll have to agree with you 😛
me: Ok, I’ll also be nice with you. I like your pic… honestly 😉
The snaps are amazing. The screen looks magnificent!
me: Yeah, it was fun.
Awww… so close to work and i still couldn’t make it!
me: there’s one more clue about you 😛 Enjoi your vacation!
Fabulous pictures. Love the scenes of beach. The kids are so involved in each other 😉