A review on the movie, Life in a Metro written by my friend, Nilesh Rane. I know its prolly too late to post this now... but I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say it's a well-written review..
SO HERE'S PRESENTING THE GUEST WRITER...NILESH RANE
“Life in a Metro”; the sound of this title conjures up images of a pseudo, modern-day take, on what is a life in a metropolitan city all about.
The director has more than surprised me on this one. Anurag Basu, coming from the “Bhatt” school of film making, has really carved a niche for himself with this splendid effort.
The casting is just right and the script, as crisp, as corn flakes! The pace of the movie, fast enough to keep u engrossed and yet, the movie captures the essence of city dwelling.
The protagonists, there are 7 of ‘em, do have something in common, it's one of them!
KAY KAY and SHILPA SHETTY, are living out a failed marriage…something neither of them have been able to fathom.
SHARMAN JOSHI, as the eager-to-please, exec at a call centre, is believable. KAYKAY, as a disillusioned husband, indulging in sexual liaisons with his starry-eyed KANGANA, is good. But, he has to look at doing varied roles to avoid the risk of getting stereotyped a ‘serious’ actor.
The surprise package of the movie is easily, IRFAN KHAN…a late-thirty something bachelor, with his dry sense of humour and rustiness , which tends to rub, KONKANA SEN, who plays, SSs sister in the movie, the wrong way initially, is adorable.
SHINEY, who, makes his entry, pretty late in the movie, also, has very little to offer, as a out-of-work, theatre artist, trying to find his feet, in a city, which has long buried its theatrical roots!
The director, along the way, also touches upon, some simmering, social issues, like homosexuality and infidelity, without really losing the grip on the film.
The film revolves around the lives of these people, who are seeking salvation, in some form or the other.
Be it Shilpa’s quest to search for love outside marriage, or Konkana’s charmingly sketched, character, who metamorphoses, from a goody-2-shoes, all- believing girl, to a well groomed, with-it girl for the most sought after RJ at her work place, only to discover later, that he is gay;
Be it Irfan Khan’s, search for a ‘eligible’ arrange-marriageable girl, with his libido on his sleeve, which turns Konkana off; or Sharman Joshi’s heart tugging at the sight of Kangana, who, in the mistaken belief of money-can-buy-me-everything, sleeps with her boss , KAYKAY..
Shilpa has again proved in this film, that given the right canvass, she can act well. The mental battles, which her character fights, when, she decides to take that forbidden step into the world of infidelity, are well etched.
Both Shilpa and Shiney, share a good on-screen chemistry, and that helps to enliven the characters..
The music score is also a big plus. PRITAM, has doled out some excellent tracks, with rock as a base, and this is a sure fire chartbuster.
This movie is a treat to watch, a break, for those seeking some refuge from glossy, pop-corn movies.
Watch the movie carefully, maybe, someone in the film, may bring a sense of ‘been there done that to you!’
