Well, getting the comparisons to Tamasha outta the way first. That movie, in spite of its flaws, various flaws, is still superior to this one.
Not to say this doesn't have it's moments. It is, refreshingly honest about relationships among the 1%, & doesn't make the lead into the typical hero.
Role/characterization-wise, this seems to be a niche that Ranbir Kapoor has found, and he's been made to play in the same sandbox again & again since Sid woke up a few years back (which still remains superior to all house other works since).
Much has been written about Rai's role, accent & characterization. My 2 cents: she's well-cast, & surprisingly (for me: I've never been a fan, though I have appreciated her performances in Kandukondein Kandukondein, Guru, Iruvar, Raincoat, Sarkar Raj, Chokher Bali, Josh...) acquits herself well. I do wish there was more meat to her characterization, especially as the movie progresses, & the flashback style narrative didn't do the screenplay any favors either....
Anushka does a bang-up job in all of her roles (NH10, BBB...), & this is no different.
The music, the rendering, & picturization of 3 tracks is absolutely fantastic, & justifies the price of admission.
Fawad Khan, fantastic in 'Kapoor & sons', is great in the limited run-time he's saddled with, though he's wasted in a thankless role.
Overall verdict:
Good, but not great. From the perspective of examining how this compares to other works made by KJo, this could very well be his best, & maybe even the most mature work to-date....
Not to say this doesn't have it's moments. It is, refreshingly honest about relationships among the 1%, & doesn't make the lead into the typical hero.
Role/characterization-wise, this seems to be a niche that Ranbir Kapoor has found, and he's been made to play in the same sandbox again & again since Sid woke up a few years back (which still remains superior to all house other works since).
Much has been written about Rai's role, accent & characterization. My 2 cents: she's well-cast, & surprisingly (for me: I've never been a fan, though I have appreciated her performances in Kandukondein Kandukondein, Guru, Iruvar, Raincoat, Sarkar Raj, Chokher Bali, Josh...) acquits herself well. I do wish there was more meat to her characterization, especially as the movie progresses, & the flashback style narrative didn't do the screenplay any favors either....
Anushka does a bang-up job in all of her roles (NH10, BBB...), & this is no different.
The music, the rendering, & picturization of 3 tracks is absolutely fantastic, & justifies the price of admission.
Fawad Khan, fantastic in 'Kapoor & sons', is great in the limited run-time he's saddled with, though he's wasted in a thankless role.
Overall verdict:
Good, but not great. From the perspective of examining how this compares to other works made by KJo, this could very well be his best, & maybe even the most mature work to-date....