"Fan" movie review - It takes the director to create a fan to act, for Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who seems to be fading...
Who is to blame: Maneesh Sharma or Shah Rukh Khan?
For once, the answer is NOT Shah Rukh... For the main thing that works in this film is his acting - of that of his character Gaurav Chandna. But, unfortunately, the actor in Shah Rukh is let down by lack of a convincing story.
Chennai Express. Happy New Year. Dilwale. People and fans had given up on the actor Shah Rukh Khan. Even the director of this movie had given up on the star. So much so that he had to create a fan - for SRK to act. And boy, does he (act)!
Fan has nothing new to offer, besides a great opportunity for the "fan" to act. Possibly for the first time, after My Name is Khan. (That's forever, though, don't you think?) What lets him down, heavily, is a predictable story that is pretty clichéd, and nowhere convincing. Or melodramatic, especially in the second half. If a movie is to be made on this subject, it's difficult not to stereotype it. And that's where this gets predictable and silly, post intermission. Melodramatic, too. And the director loses control.
Delhi-ite Gaurav Chandna, in his twenties, is a die-hard fan of superstar Aryan Khanna, right from his childhood. He goes to Mumbai to meet his idol. Obsession ends in disappointment after the superstar chides him on a wrongdoing. Ego takes over and there is a clash between the two right till the end.
At a hundred and forty two minutes, it surprisingly doesn't feel long. I'm actually glad there were no songs, though I'd not have complained if Gaurav Chandna were to break into the Jabra song, even just like that.
The trick-camera scenes where the two SRKs 'share' screenspace is pretty convincing.
The star, Arjun Khanna's character, is not compelling to me, and appears to be more vulnerable and clueless than actually needed. Especially in the Madame Tussauds action sequence and the chase scene on roof-tops, where CCTVs and security systems are virtually non-existent. A little more than hard-to-believe, considering the story is set in today's times.
Applause, applause for some earnest effort from SRK, especially in the first half. Maneesh Sharma's direction and story goes South in the second half.
Waluscha de Sousa was not needed. The poor lady had like five minutes and barely anything to say. I'd be embarrassed, if I were here, after all that début hype. She is flawless to look, though.
Gaurav's parents are not at all convincing, and unbelievable in their reactions, especially towards the end. Also, I felt the climax was not fair on them. Gaurav would have been better off as an orphan or they didn't have to bring in his parents, in this story.
Why do such stories have to be made melodramatic? Or predictable, I wonder...
It was heartening to see that he was not a Raj or Rahul for once... though there is Aryan. Maybe it's time he changed names of his characters. His luck might also change, as he seems to be limited and fading...
Maneesh Sharma has so much potential. Love how he brings out Delhi, in each of his films. The first twenty minutes of the film brought back memories of Band Baajaa Baaraat.
There was scope for better background music, though, which alone could have lifted the film a few notches higher. It doesn't take you long to realize that most of it is a lift-off from several Western films - and that you've heard it so many times before.
Full marks to the make up artist, Greg Cannom. And for the record, he has won three Oscars for his expertise at what he does - FX prosthesis.
Last week, we experienced terrific 3-D in The Jungle Book. This week, some amazing prosthetic work in this movie. It feels so happy and exciting to see that special effects have advanced SO much that things look TOTALLY natural! Earlier, it'd look artificial, somewhere or the other. Good to see that it's only getting better and better.
My verdict. 2.5 out of 5.
For once, the answer is NOT Shah Rukh... For the main thing that works in this film is his acting - of that of his character Gaurav Chandna. But, unfortunately, the actor in Shah Rukh is let down by lack of a convincing story.
Chennai Express. Happy New Year. Dilwale. People and fans had given up on the actor Shah Rukh Khan. Even the director of this movie had given up on the star. So much so that he had to create a fan - for SRK to act. And boy, does he (act)!
Fan has nothing new to offer, besides a great opportunity for the "fan" to act. Possibly for the first time, after My Name is Khan. (That's forever, though, don't you think?) What lets him down, heavily, is a predictable story that is pretty clichéd, and nowhere convincing. Or melodramatic, especially in the second half. If a movie is to be made on this subject, it's difficult not to stereotype it. And that's where this gets predictable and silly, post intermission. Melodramatic, too. And the director loses control.
Delhi-ite Gaurav Chandna, in his twenties, is a die-hard fan of superstar Aryan Khanna, right from his childhood. He goes to Mumbai to meet his idol. Obsession ends in disappointment after the superstar chides him on a wrongdoing. Ego takes over and there is a clash between the two right till the end.
At a hundred and forty two minutes, it surprisingly doesn't feel long. I'm actually glad there were no songs, though I'd not have complained if Gaurav Chandna were to break into the Jabra song, even just like that.
The trick-camera scenes where the two SRKs 'share' screenspace is pretty convincing.
The star, Arjun Khanna's character, is not compelling to me, and appears to be more vulnerable and clueless than actually needed. Especially in the Madame Tussauds action sequence and the chase scene on roof-tops, where CCTVs and security systems are virtually non-existent. A little more than hard-to-believe, considering the story is set in today's times.
Applause, applause for some earnest effort from SRK, especially in the first half. Maneesh Sharma's direction and story goes South in the second half.
Waluscha de Sousa was not needed. The poor lady had like five minutes and barely anything to say. I'd be embarrassed, if I were here, after all that début hype. She is flawless to look, though.
Gaurav's parents are not at all convincing, and unbelievable in their reactions, especially towards the end. Also, I felt the climax was not fair on them. Gaurav would have been better off as an orphan or they didn't have to bring in his parents, in this story.
Why do such stories have to be made melodramatic? Or predictable, I wonder...
It was heartening to see that he was not a Raj or Rahul for once... though there is Aryan. Maybe it's time he changed names of his characters. His luck might also change, as he seems to be limited and fading...
Maneesh Sharma has so much potential. Love how he brings out Delhi, in each of his films. The first twenty minutes of the film brought back memories of Band Baajaa Baaraat.
There was scope for better background music, though, which alone could have lifted the film a few notches higher. It doesn't take you long to realize that most of it is a lift-off from several Western films - and that you've heard it so many times before.
Full marks to the make up artist, Greg Cannom. And for the record, he has won three Oscars for his expertise at what he does - FX prosthesis.
Last week, we experienced terrific 3-D in The Jungle Book. This week, some amazing prosthetic work in this movie. It feels so happy and exciting to see that special effects have advanced SO much that things look TOTALLY natural! Earlier, it'd look artificial, somewhere or the other. Good to see that it's only getting better and better.
My verdict. 2.5 out of 5.
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