Cast – Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Rahul Bhat, Akshay Oberai, Lara Dutta
Director – Abhishek Kapoor
Based On – ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens
Writers – Abhisek Kapoor, Supratik Sen
It has been credited as an adaption of Great Expectations. A story of a poor boy’s love and obsession for a rich girl.
The simple story has been woven in such an intricate and exquisite frame, that it stands out in the movie throughout. A lot of credit of look and feel goes to the outstanding cinematography. Not only Kashmir looks beautiful but the snow, the colours, the lights have been played with in such a marvellous way that they create the effect that the director wants to have on you . Well depicted are beauty, love, loneliness, longing, mystery… all through frames and music.
Amit Trivedi’s music gives a befitting support to the photography.
Many times, this movie gives you a feel of Vikramaditya Motwani ‘s Lootera, the same serene and melancholy touch (Amit Trivedi’s music being the common thread).
I could also draw comparisons with Haider, the frames being so similar… bordering on dark and brooding.
The screenplay is good though the movie moves at a leisurely pace. It could be easily tagged as slow but I found it very artistic. There were slight shades of mystery as well.
Speaking of performances… Tabu was simply superb with layers to her character and shades of mystery and grey.
Aditya looked good but has far to go performance wise.
Katrina needs no mention as usual. She’s just a pretty face (that too a chubbier one) with bad dialogue delivery. But we have to live with that till the directors or producers keep finding her good.
The chemistry was missing between the two. I am sure the same movie could have been notches better with a change in lead cast.
Making comparisons with Charles Dickens would be unfair to the director’s efforts. I found Abhishek Kapoor’s direction good. The product is very different from his earlier ones (Rock On and Kai Po Che) and so is the cast. It’s slow and sweet but no dearth of quality in this one.
Would rate this 7 on 10.