Movie Review: Road, the Movie - Dont go down this path !

Some movies are for entertaining the public, some are for enlightening them, some are a product of the directors need to tell a story and some are just ego trips. Road, is a movie made to satisfy the whims of Dev Benegal.

It’s about this supposed ROAD trip, which Abhay Deol takes up. He is bored of his family's Hair Oil business, so volunteers to take an Uncle's "Cinema-on-Wheels" to its final resting place. On the way he meets some interesting characters and his journey is "Soporific" to say the least.

Abhay Deol may have a cult status, because of the kind of movies he chooses to be in, but frankly he is extremely challenged as an actor. His unidimensional roles prove that and in this film he continues to be the obnoxious, fleety guy he was in Dev D - minus the drugs ofcourse! Satish Kaushik does a good job of the decent role he gets after a long long time. He should probably continue acting, rather than directing movies. Mohammad Faizal as the smart-ass kiddo is just about ok and Tannishtha Chatterjee is alright in her smallish role.

The problem with the movie is that it is too self-indulgent. For 15 minutes you have to stare at a rickety truck's tyre travelling on surfaces of various colours and patterns. Come to think of it, the Director shows you exactly what he states - ROAD !! Good frames, seem to have taken precedence over a half decent screenplay. When the director cant even hold your attention for 95 minutes, then there must be something seriously wrong with the writing. Half way through the film you are tired and want to leave. Maybe it’s because of Abhay Deol's weird screen presence. He does not have the personality or the charm to hold you.


Also, the humour seems to be forced. Infact the director throws in some inexplicably juvenile humour towards the end, which is an attempt in parody, but he fails completely. The hero falls into the trap of a nefarious Water-Dacoit, and gets out of his clasp by giving him a Mardaangi inducing TEL-MAALISH(oil head massage). You meanwhile, start tearing your hair out and start wishing for a Tel Maalish yourself.


When a TEA STALL guy starts referring to Starbucks, you should understand that it’s not made for Indian Audiences. This movie was made to be on the ROAD to various film festivals and bore audiences across the world. The only thing top class in this film is the cinematography, credited to Michel Amathieu.



Not many would have ventured into the theater for this one, but I was a sucker for its promos and Abhay Deol choice of films. Unfortunately, this one bored me to the helm. It really falls into the “Fest Film” category and is beyond us “mere-mortals”. Dont go down this path, unless you want to pander to the director’s self-indulgence.

Rating : 3 / 10 - (for the cinematography and a decent background score)

Movies I watched at MAMI - Mumbai Film fest

This movies has FESTIVAL written all over it. The director tests your pateince throughout the film. Its also about illegal immigration of mexicans into america and their lives, work etc. Its about 2 guys who finish their work of the day and then go for a special job to kill a lady. The movie starts with a 10 minute still frame with nothing happening. I certainly slept through half the movie. A brilliant shot in the end was alls that was exciting to me. rating - 5 / 10


YANG YANG - This taiwanese film is my most favourite film off all the movies in this fest. Its the story of a girl named Yang Yang, whoes mother marries her athletics coach. Evreything starts off well, but soon things turn sour between her and her step sister. The movie is made out of several big shots - continuous filming and hence the performances have to be spot on and they are. Brilliant direction , amazing performances make this movie awesome. And more importatly this movie scores of emotions and sensitivity. I loved it. rating - 9 /10


VIHIR - Umesh Kulkarni .Another winner from this most talented Marathi director who previously made VALU. Vihir is a brilliantly written story of 2 cousin brothers. the younger one looks up to the elder brother, and always tries to emulate him. But when the elder brother dies, the younger brother goes thru a lot of pain and several questions of life, relations, death spring to him mind and he leaves on a quest to find these answers. Awesome cinematography and acting. A must must watch rating - 8 / 10


Twenty Bist - Iranian film. Like most Iranian films, its a simple film about human emotions. But this is a film full of misery. Its about a HALL owner and his employees. When the HALL owners health begins to deteriorate, he deices to close down his HALL, which puts his employees in a tough spot as they depend on this job to live their life. This film is full of misery - one life full of misery to another. It also comes to a very morose end. Anyways, this movie is a thoroughbread festival film. Catch it if you must. rating - 6 / 10


The waiting City - An australian film by Claire McCarthy shot in Calcutta. An australian couple comes to adopt an indian girl. The red tape in the system holds up the adoption for many days and they have to play the waiting game within which they not only have to get to grips with the Indian culture , way of life etc but also try to smoothen their own crumpled relationship. A very nice film which lives off the performances of the lead actors. A film worth watching. rating - 7.5 / 10.


My fest started with this film and its a simple, beautiful film. Its shot in 2 places Italy and Romania. Its about a Romanian girl who comes to Italy to earn some money by taking care of an old Italian lady. Its the story of how the relation develops between the 2. Sweet film.
rating - 7 / 10


Konkani film "MAN BEYOND THE BRIDGE" The surprise Package of the festival. I didnt even know before this that konkani films exist , but am totally blown away by it. This film is about a relationship that develops between a lonely man and an outcast,mentally challenged girl. Loads of dynamics involved - what the villagers think, religion, faith. 2 thubs up for this film. A must watch. rating - 8 / 10


A filipino film, for which the director won the best director award at Cannes. This movie really tests your patience. Its a movie about a group of corrupt cops who go on a journey to kill one prostitute who has betrayed them. In this journey they are joined by a new recruit. This film meanders and keep trying to grab loads of tension and finally the police carry out the gruesome act. Kinatay is one hell of a festival film, but it really tested my patience. rating - 6 / 10


Happy Go Lucky is about a girl who is happy go lucky. In this cruel , bad world, what if you could keep smiling and be an eternal optimist. Will this world let you be that way or wwill it pull you down. Thats the premise of this film. Again a must watch.
rating - 8 / 10



A french film EDEN IS WEST made by costa-gavras, is a tragicomedy, something like a Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, where the protagonist goes through the shit of the system or the world and then ends up all screwed up. Its a kind of a statement on the illegal immigration that happens from poor countries to countries like France. Engaging film.
rating - 6.5/ 10



A film from a small little country named Bulgaria. The movie ends pretty much as it starts. There is no plot, just a statement. There is no end, but a possibility of a new beginning. It shows the politics, the culture of Bulgaria through the life of 2 brothers and just leaves us there. Brilliant acting by the lead actor -Christo Christov (who passed away a few days after shooting ended- sad) rating - 6 / 10



Dogtooth - a greek film, is one of the most interesting films I saw this week. Its about a couple who keep their children locked within the confines of their home for 17 years. They are taught, bread there and made to believe that the world outside is evil and they would die if they try to go out. But one outside influence kindles their curiosity and everything goes haywire. A must watch for its weirdness. rating - 8 / 10


Imagine a movie where 80% of a movie 86 mins long is showing just the face of the protagonist. Thats APPLAUS for you. N even then this film from Denmark scores, because of Paprika Steen's phenomenal performance. - Plot -A stage actress is turning old and is trying to pick up the pieces of her life.
rating - 6.5 / 10 - simply for the performance.


A rather timepass film for a festival. 7 minutes is about a dating service in which you can meet different guys and gals and discuss for 7 minutes after which you have to decide whether you want to date them. Nothing special here except a few explicit scenes that could excite teenagers. rating - 4 / 10