Vishal Bhardwaj is a Filmmaker to reckon with. His filmography has grandeur & soul. With his last outing being the stirringly beautiful Haider, expectations from 'Rangoon' are gargantuan. So, does Bhardwaj deliver another winner in his luscious repertoire? The Answer, sadly, is a No!
'Rangoon' is A Glorious Mess. Its primarily a love-story, but because its set during the Second World War, it adds an array of over-stuffed sub-plots & caricatures serving as villains. Bhardwaj has directed the film well & the Cinematography by Pankaj Kumar is stunning. Even the solid cast put up their best efforts, but 'Rangoon' stands on a faulty script. And no technical or acting triumph, can overcome a weak story!
'Rangoon' Synopsis: Set during World War 2, A feisty actress known as Miss Julia (Kangana Ranaut) falls in love with a Indian solider Jamadar Nawab Malik (Shahid Kapoor). But trouble arises when Julia's authoritative lover & boss Rustom "Rusi" Billimoria (Saif Ali Khan) learns of their affair in the midst of warfare.
'Rangoon' is a regular love-story about a woman having another man in her life. Bhardwaj takes a familiar route & builds the love-story, although the love-story, is very ordinary. There's nothing special or new about it. The sub-plot, involving a grey shaded Saif & the British Army, led by a hammy Richard McCabe, is half-baked. The problem with 'Rangoon' is that, it doesn't know which path it wants to lead too. If its a love-story, then why is it sidelined in parts? And if its a story on World War, why is there such minimal action? Also, the twists & turns are predictable here. The narrative has a few interesting moments, especially in the first-hour, but that's about it!
What Bhardwaj does succeed in, though, is the marvelous visuals. 'Rangoon' is like watching a painting coming to life. With Pankaj Kumar's masterful work with the camera, Bhardwaj explores the stunning locations of Arunachal Pradesh & all of the rest, with zeal. Not a single frame lacks in any manner. Even the Art & Costume Design, as well as the Background Score, is excellent. 'Rangoon' is remarkable achievement technically & there are no two ways about that!
But alas, 'Rangoon' falters in its Writing level. Bhardwaj, Matthew Robbins & Sabrina Dhawan's Screenplay is disappointing. Stunk in two stories, the film eventually serves very less for both. While the first-hour still holds some appeal, the second-hour keeps getting messier as it progresses. Even the culmination, is strictly okay. The Writing is the culprit here!
Performance-Wise: Kangana is a complete scene-stealer. Her part, supposedly based on the life and times of the late/great Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, is bought to life with precision. Kangana blends romance, heartache & humor in a performance that completely arrests you. Shahid is earnest, but if one has to compare it with His & Bhardwaj's Kaminey or Haider earlier, it barely stands out. Saif, who has teamed up with Bhardwaj after a decade, the last being the Magnificent Omkara, gets limited screen-time & an underwritten role to perform on. He's fair, but considering his terrific talent, he's wasted. Of the supporting cast, Saharsh Shukla, as Kangana's make-up man, is fantastic.
On the whole, 'Rangoon' is a letdown, despite a few merits.
'Rangoon' is A Glorious Mess. Its primarily a love-story, but because its set during the Second World War, it adds an array of over-stuffed sub-plots & caricatures serving as villains. Bhardwaj has directed the film well & the Cinematography by Pankaj Kumar is stunning. Even the solid cast put up their best efforts, but 'Rangoon' stands on a faulty script. And no technical or acting triumph, can overcome a weak story!
'Rangoon' Synopsis: Set during World War 2, A feisty actress known as Miss Julia (Kangana Ranaut) falls in love with a Indian solider Jamadar Nawab Malik (Shahid Kapoor). But trouble arises when Julia's authoritative lover & boss Rustom "Rusi" Billimoria (Saif Ali Khan) learns of their affair in the midst of warfare.
'Rangoon' is a regular love-story about a woman having another man in her life. Bhardwaj takes a familiar route & builds the love-story, although the love-story, is very ordinary. There's nothing special or new about it. The sub-plot, involving a grey shaded Saif & the British Army, led by a hammy Richard McCabe, is half-baked. The problem with 'Rangoon' is that, it doesn't know which path it wants to lead too. If its a love-story, then why is it sidelined in parts? And if its a story on World War, why is there such minimal action? Also, the twists & turns are predictable here. The narrative has a few interesting moments, especially in the first-hour, but that's about it!
What Bhardwaj does succeed in, though, is the marvelous visuals. 'Rangoon' is like watching a painting coming to life. With Pankaj Kumar's masterful work with the camera, Bhardwaj explores the stunning locations of Arunachal Pradesh & all of the rest, with zeal. Not a single frame lacks in any manner. Even the Art & Costume Design, as well as the Background Score, is excellent. 'Rangoon' is remarkable achievement technically & there are no two ways about that!
But alas, 'Rangoon' falters in its Writing level. Bhardwaj, Matthew Robbins & Sabrina Dhawan's Screenplay is disappointing. Stunk in two stories, the film eventually serves very less for both. While the first-hour still holds some appeal, the second-hour keeps getting messier as it progresses. Even the culmination, is strictly okay. The Writing is the culprit here!
Performance-Wise: Kangana is a complete scene-stealer. Her part, supposedly based on the life and times of the late/great Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, is bought to life with precision. Kangana blends romance, heartache & humor in a performance that completely arrests you. Shahid is earnest, but if one has to compare it with His & Bhardwaj's Kaminey or Haider earlier, it barely stands out. Saif, who has teamed up with Bhardwaj after a decade, the last being the Magnificent Omkara, gets limited screen-time & an underwritten role to perform on. He's fair, but considering his terrific talent, he's wasted. Of the supporting cast, Saharsh Shukla, as Kangana's make-up man, is fantastic.
On the whole, 'Rangoon' is a letdown, despite a few merits.