Wake Up S!d --- Movie Review

Coming of Age : definition source:Wikipedia

Coming of age is a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition.

So , as the definition says it is an age that varies according to cultures and society and in India , where kids live under the shadow of their parents for a long time , I think it comes quite late than other western countries . And again according to the definition , the nature of transition also varies . But i think this variation of "nature of transition" can be so different even within a single society for different kind of people . And I am not talking of the huge section of our country which is so poor that for them there is no such thing as 'coming of age' . For them everything is just a "matter of survival" . I am talking of the huge middle class and the small rich class of our country where the variation of this transition can be felt very easily .

Wake Up Sid is about the transition of a 'child' from the rich class into his adulthood . And Before you get a wrong impression that I've got something against the rich class let me clarify , there's no such thing like that . The reason I said everything above is just to make a point that this transition can be different for different people but what remains same are the feelings . Wake Up Sid is a simple story of a guy who knows what he doesn't want in life but has little idea about what he wants . And his only motto in life is to enjoy it full on with his credit card bills been taken care of . He is completely dependent on his father and is like Rachel from Friends :) . One day life happens , and he realises that he has to break off and find his own way in life . Helping him grow up into a Man from just a boy is a fearless & responsible girl who has a definite path to follow in life and knows exactly how to achieve her goals . The story revolves around how these two help each other to attain their respective goals , learn to enjoy the journey with each other and ultimately fall in love .

Just like the music from it , the film is also chilled out and feel good kind of cinema which also addresses some issues concerning the young . The scenes from the film seem to be scenes from our own life and the film is quite real and this is the most real that Dharma Productions has got till date . For me personally , realism has more to do with feelings rather than other physical things and in that respect the film is quite real . Some of the scenes from the film are very well written and performed too , in a subtle way which leave their impact . Especially the scene where Ranbir leaves his home . Some of the other scenes like the one where Ranbir and his friend laugh off the fact that his girlfriend ditches him and also the scene where Ranbeer's colleague who has a crush on him realises that he loves Konkana, just looks at him and says nothing , are very simple and downplayed yet quite good and leave an impression . Then there is also a scene where Ranbeer takes photographs of his neighbour and her son and also realising how much he loves his mom . There is nothing very brilliant and outstanding about these scenes but still they manage to touch the hearts of the viewers and that's what makes them great . Simple yet fabulous and as they say its difficult being simple too .

The strongest technical aspect of the film in my opinion is its Cinematography and Anil Mehta has really done a fabulous job . Dharma this time chose Bombay(oops I meant Mumbai) instead of Miami or New York for this one and Anil has managed to show the city as beautiful as the other two . I almost felt like running off to Mumbai to watch it and feel it , especially in the monsoons . The still photographs that have been used in the film are also great and they also add to the beauty of the film . The art direction was also great and the dialogues were also not heavy duty and more on the daily conversation side .

One of the other major contributor to film is its music and it completely matches the tone of the film and adds to it in a major way . Without the music the film might have seemed a bit on the slower side . There are no "rocking" numbers in this one unlike usual Karan's films which have to have a party or disco number in it for sure . The best track is no doubt "Ik tara" and I loved the male version of it also which is in the film only . The background score in the film has been kept minimal and wherever it is there , it has been done in a nice way .

Coming to acting performances , Ranbir has done his best till date in this one . The character suited him and his actual natural personality , just like Imran's character did to him in Jaane Tu.. . So I wont say that he has acted fabulously because it wasn't a tough role for him but still he did a good job and looked quite natural . His character is similar to Hrithik's in Lakshya to an extent but not exactly like it . Konkana is a great actor and this one would have been a piece of cake for her and she as usual did fine . Her paring with Ranbir also looked great and there was nothing odd about it . Rest of the supporting cast was also perfect with each one of them doing their part well .

One of the things that I liked in the film is that Ayaan has focused on every character and given it a chance to express his/her feelings . So we see problems of almost all the characters in the film regardless of the length of its role . Whether it is Ranbir's obese friend , his lonely neighbour or his best friend who is a romantic , every one of them gets a chance , even his servant "chchotu" who has very small role makes his presence felt .

Supriya Pathak who has played the part of a typical Indian housewife/mom , has done a brilliant job in the film and Ayan again needs to be commended for writing such a nice character for her and also casting her in the film .She has not played an over the top Kirron Kher kinda mother but a simpler and more real one who strives to speak English in order to befriend her son . Anupam Kher has played a rich dad many times and he knows how to do that .

And lastly , speaking of the Direction , Ayan Mukherjee has done a great job for a first timer and he has picked up the right story according to his age and done full justice to it . Since its his script I am sure he would have put in some personal experiences in it which gave the film a very fresh feel to it . It is certainly much better than Tarun Mansukhani's first attempt and I want to congratulate Karan for making this film with Ayan . Though its a fresh film which is very young at heart it still looks like a work of a mature person who knows what he is doing .

In all , I was really happy to watch this film and it did touch me in some way , maybe because I am also coming of age right now and I am also hoping that things turn out to be good for me .

Movie Rating : 3.75 out of 5 :)

Blue --- Music Review

"Blue" is the first soundtrack from the Double Academy Award winner Rahman Sir after his famous win and his second for this year after "Delhi 6" which got both public and critics appreciation . Though his genius needs no approval but Delhi 6 just show-cased it once more to the whole world why Rahman deserves the Academy more than anyone else . For Fans like me expectations are always high from his every album but after such a win the spotlight on him has just got much more brighter . Now Rahman itself is an international name but with names like Kylie Minogue associated with the album , it would certainly have a much more international focus and speculation too which would be a new experience for him too .

Coming to the first track on the album "Chiggy Wiggy" by Kylie Minogue . Though the track is not bad but its neither brilliant and what disappointed me was that Rahman Sir took a very safe approach and didn't try to experiment which is not a typical feature of him . Pressure?? Can't Say but certainly not his best . Kylie sings it effortlessly in her style and there's something about her voice that always manages to please me . The song also features Sonu Nigam towards the end who sings the Punjabi part with Urdu lyrics , sounds strange , but that's the case . Nothing much for Sonu in the song but I guess it had to be done by one of the best Singers from the country considering it was Kylie . Sonu would be more than happy . Lets be frank , he would not have even be approached for such a small part if it wasn't for singing along with her . But one thing I loved was the way Sonu pronounced "Chiggy Wiggy" in the song in true Indian style and has not given it a western feel even though he could have easily . Lyricist Abbas Tyrewala hasn't done a great job either and has just managed to get a decent song . Listen how cleverly he plugs in the word "Khiladi" in the song for obvious reasons . In all , as I said, its not a bad track and would work to an extent for sure . Though I expect much more from each one of them .

Then comes "Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai" which is a nice fast paced song with a bit of Jazz feel in it to add that sensual feel to it . The video of the song is already on air and Lara is looking hot (and also beautiful) but a bit odd with Sanjay Dutt . Though the music here is interesting but the lyrics didn't quite work for me . Shreya Ghoshal has done a good job singing it and she is good at singing songs with a bit of sensual feel in it . It has worked for her in the past but in those songs the lyrics were also good . Here the lyrics are not that good to match up to her singing . Mayur Puri who last worked on "Love Mera Hit Hit" and got popular with "Singh is Kinng" has done a so-so job and I guess writing sensual lyrics is not that easy and that too if you have to write it for a girl . Sukhwinder Singh is also there and he as usual has done a good job . Overall , its a disappointment according to Rahman standards and might just work in the film only .

"Fiqrana" comes next which again is a very basic track and didn't quite impress me . The vocals are by Vijay Prakash who sings it in Rahman style of singing and supporting him is Shreya Ghoshal . The lyrics by Abbas are not good here too . They have nothing to offer as such and they just go along with the music with nothing standing out . The whole song actually goes about in a very average way with nothing standing out in it .

Then comes "Bhula Tujhe" by Rashid Ali who became famous with "Kahin To Hogi Wo" of Jaane Tu.. That track became popular at a much later stage after the film got released and lets hope the same happens with this track . A slow symphonic track and Rahman sir has done a good job here . This track is a bit better than the previous tracks but still falls a bit short . Rashid has done a good job and even Abbas has done a decent job with lyrics .

The theme track of the film comes next which I think would feature Katrina Kaif in it . It is more of a song though and cannot be called a Theme Song and has some bits of lyrics in it by Raqeeb Alam . It is more on a slower side and a much faster version of the track was featured in the theatrical trailer . This one is also not that bad and would look good in the film . There are many singers on this one and they have done a good job together . Don't pay any attention to the lyrics here .

The sixth track on the album is Rehnuma which again has a bit of Jazz , Club kinda feel and seems to be a lot inspired from the James Bond soundtracks . With rumours of Danny Boyle making the next bond film doing the rounds , I guess Rahman sir has started warming up for it . It seriously sounds like a track from an espionage thriller and that too a Bond only . Nice song though , I liked it , has a signature Rahman style music in some places . A lot depends on how it is used . Sonu and Shreya have done a good job as usual, especially Shreya .

The Last track on the album "Yaar Mila" by Udit Narayan and Madhusree gives a disappointing end to the album . The lyrics have been weak throughout the album and here they are no different . The music is also pretty average and nothing good about it .

Overall , it is a pretty average soundtrack and a lot more is expected from an A.R. Rahman album . Director , Anthony D'souza , lost a great opportunity and couldn't quite get what other Directors manage to get from Rahman sir . Usually when I dont like a Rahman album and i write about it , most people comment and say that Rahman's music grows with time . I just hope that happens this time and I start liking the songs after some time . I wasn't impressed with Jaane Tu.. also in the beginning but afterwards it caught on me too , especially after the film . The lyrics are the weakest part of this soundtrack in my opinion and it falls well short of expectations .

Album Rating : Three out of Five ; a bit disappointing .