Armaan

Armaan is an inspiring movie, with amazing performances, and nice music. The downfall of this film is that it slows down one minute, and goes too quickly the next. You are either confused from what has happened, or you are wishing it would hurry up. It could have been better there.

I'd say the best performances were from Amitabh Bachchan, and Preity Zinta, who I have always thought was very charming.

The story is relatively simple, and is one that many films have tried, worked, and failed in the past. Armaan is one that works, but only because of the acting, and maybe the script.

Amitabh Bachchan did a really nice job as the caring, dying father. He was perfect for this role, however, there are times when the character seems fake. Anil Kapoor makes a forgettable performance, I preferred him in other movies, which he did excellent in. Here his performance is not as good as I expected of him. Gracy Singh makes another "bechaari" role, I wish she would branch out more. For her role I would have enjoyed a Tabu, or Juhi Chawla, even Urmila Matondkar or Rani Mukherji. Certainly not her, that's for sure. My favourite performance was Preity Zinta; I have liked her since I saw her in 'Dil Hai Tumhaara', in which I thought she was amazing. Here she does another remarkable job, she has outdone herself, and is the star of Armaan. There are times when she even overshadows Mr Bachchan. Her new look adds glamour and appeal, and I say she looks not beautiful, but very elegant. Her first try at a negative role earns rave reviews from me.

The music is excellent. The best songs would be "Mera Dil Ka Tumse Hai Kehnaa" and "Mere Zindagi Mein Aaye Ho" which I enjoyed.

Honey Irani has done a decent job. I recommend it.

They'll tell you its a story of sacrifice, with some stupendous performances. But really its just dreary and dull trash, this guy Amitabh turns in a 'restrained' performance that borders on the contrived - a problem with most actors from Bollywood; their acting is plain contrived. Lifted across-the-border music [Yeh larka from the original 'Falak pay kaisa', the hit from the mid 80s] does not add much zing to the proceedings. And who was this actress with this Cleopatra like 60s hairdo?? Gawd, guys, get a better person to do that next time!!

Only watch if you relish boredom. Really, its just another one in the long list of cinematic trash churned out by the Indie movie industry.

I must admit that after seeing this film the first time a couple of weeks ago I was less than impressed. Bachchan, of course, was excellent, but I felt that movie was missing something, or maybe it was trying to hard to be something else, or perhaps it was Preity Zinta's villainous departure from her previous girl-next-door roles.....I wasn't sure.....

But, upon watching it a second time yesterday, the film's brilliant subtlety exploded on the screen. It was all there: wonderful dialogues and performances from Bachchan, Kapoor, Singh (and -- yes - Zinta: she's a little over-the-top in her performance, but in the end the effect works [the character she creates truly is weird/creepy]); a remarkably restrained and appropriate camera style from Verman (including his interesting use of 180-degree-arc two-shots during key dialogues); outstanding sound recording and perspective matching from Kamte and Dev; brilliant music and choreography (sans the chorus lines); and some excellent writing -- particularly the development of key thematic parallels and negations.

For example, Irani masterfully, yet subtly, contrasts the two dominant child-parent relationships -- Soniya-Gulshan and Akash-Siddharth -- to comment quietly on the impact of western materialism on the values of successful Indians living abroad. The theme is reinforced by the masterfully directed wedding scene -- starkly devoid of the colorful mise-en-scene, music, and traditional practices that are picturized in typical Hindi film weddings -- in essence emphasizing the alien(ated) character of the proposed relationship. The effect is reminiscent of Subhash Ghai's Pardes (1997), but without the grandstanding that dominates the earlier film. Additionally, Irani's selection of neurosurgery as Akash's profession provides an excellent metaphor for the exploration of the film's climatic theme, which --without giving too much away -- involves the resolution of a key moral dilemma.

All-in-all, Irani demonstrates remarkable restraint and deftness in her directorial debut. The film's naturalistic look belies the subtle thematic complexities that inform the storyline. Watch this film more than once -- you might be surprised!

One of the best Hindi movies in recent times. absolutely great. Almost a classic! The movie is quite different in the way it has been dealt with. Very nice and laid back.

the performances are some of the best I have seen.Amitabh is Amitabh, superb! quite different from what he has done recently and yeah nothing like Mohabbatein(to those who thought he is playing the usual father).Anil Kapoor is mind blowing. One of the best role of his career.Reminds a lot of Sanjeev Kumar. Very restrained and thoughtful. Gracy singh blew me away with her maturity. Just her second movie(even though she had some small role in Hu Tu Tu). she is comfortable in romantic and emotional scenes. Preity Zinta is good too and this has to be her best performance.

Worth a watch for everything! Music is extremely pleasing to the ears! Photography is good. I have to admit that I enjoyed the movie much more on the subsequent viewings as compared to the first. One of those rare movies, where such things happen. Best Hindi movie since Dil Chahta Hai.

Honey Irani made a fantastic directorial debut. Armaan is brilliant in every aspect, despite being fairly outdated. Everything, from the dialogue to the proceedings to the characters seems to be taken straight from the 1960s (I mean it as a compliment). I seriously think Irani should have officially set the period of time as such, because it would have made much more sense. I genuinely liked the film. I thought it was special, realistic and artistic in its subtlety and restraint. The concept of life in a hospital is quite interesting though it certainly might not work for the wide audience and some might find it slow. In my view, it doesn't take anything from Honey Irani's honest attempt which is never less than worthy; it's just a film that does not appeal to everyone, but aren't all films anyway.

The film, however, has a pleasant surprise which comes as a saviour after an hour or so in the form of Preity Zinta, whose bubbly, spoilt, wicked, narcissistic and altogether mentally unstable Sonia Kapoor is both interesting, hateful, funny and memorable. Kudos to Zinta for such a spectacularly played negative role. She is natural and convincing, and she manages to make her evil character unique and almost, if not completely, likable. This is thanks to her animated line delivery and her lively, partly vicious and partly vivacious attitude. I can understand why Irani wrote the character with Preity Zinta in mind. She does not really act in accordance with the film's mood, yet she seems tailor-made for her role, and her commanding screen presence more than carries the film.

I think the rest of the cast are very good, especially Anil Kapoor, who is restrained and greatly impressive as the level-headed, intelligent and well-mannered Dr. Akash. This highly sincere performance is in my view amongst his most accomplished works. Gracy Singh is graceful and compelling as the reserved Neha. Bachchan is good as always, but he appears only in flashbacks in the second half, so there isn't enough of his role. Aamir Bashir is absolutely outstanding as Dr. Sanjay, despite a small role. This truly is an underrated actor. Randhir Kapoor plays Sonia's father and for some reason he made me laugh every time he appeared on-screen. He is unintentionally funny (I was particularly floored in that scene in which he said he was gonna sue Akash for insulting his daughter).

Armaan is almost a classic. There is something in its subtle narrative style that makes it very engaging. It has a much stronger second half though. With the entrance of the character of Sonia Kapoor, the story takes shape and the film flows more effectively. The film becomes much more interesting, entertaining and enjoyable, although it generally still remains loyal to its realism and keeps following a rather slow pace. One must also note the background score, which is simply exceptional. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's soundtrack is quiet and pleasant. My favourite song is Zinta's seductive number "Mera Dil Ka Tumse", which is extremely energetic and fun. To all those who appreciate quality films, Armaan is a must-watch.