Finding Fanny

FINDING FANNY (English): 7.5/10

Finding Fanny revolves around five rather dysfunctional characters on a road trip to find "Fanny"- the love of the life of one of them. As the amusing plot unfolds, the characters are shown in vibrant shades and a rather refreshing climax wraps it up in a very nice way. All in all, a good movie worth watching at least once.

A brave attempt to recreate the magic of the old time comedies lost after Hrishikesh Mukherjee and his school of film making. Its a feel good comic-drama backed by some decent performances.

The actors brought alive the characters, which, must I say, were rather well built. While Pankaj Kapoor was the best in the lot and Naseeruddin Shah was just about as outstanding as ever, it was Dimple Kapadia, who did that bit of extra-effort to fit into the canvas with an air of grace. I have had my reservation on the selection of Arjun Kapoor, who seemed to be edgy at times; all credit must go to the director who was able to judiciously moderate the character to hide Arjun's monotonous limitations rather colourfully within the frame. Deepika Padukone for a change performed surprisingly well, and dare I say beyond expectations. Worth mentioning: she looked stunning in her rather simple get-up for the film. However, making her the primary narrator, well, was apt, but not judicious. An out and out off-beat feel good movie, without much of melodrama, grandeur and unnecessary colours, Finding Fanny is a tale right out of a book of great Indian short stories and stands as a one off instance of a movie that has been narrated and directed well from behind the camera. The script was seamlessly flowing, and the story was well woven, the camera man, requires a word of praise for making Indian locations look as beautiful and appealing. To sum it up, its rare to find that feel good brew, which has been ever so elusive from Hindi films for some time now.

The dead cat didn't smell for a real long time, almost through out the trip, apart from that continuity was well managed.

Finding Fanny is a simple anatomy of love. Ending with the finding that true love is a false epiphany. And along the way reflects on ego, the short life of lust, the razzle-dazzle of courtship, the pleasure of love in its barest forms.

Very nice watch all along the way. Very good images, good aesthetics, authenticity of the location and Goan culture have been maintained. Music is good.The characters are all well developed and the actors, some of the best to come from India have portrayed them well. Except for the end where it rushes to an end, and leaves much less impact than it carries through the journey.

The movie is not for everybody especially not for people who are used to the commercial capers which our dear old Bollywood is dishing out everyday!!

well with a star cast of Naseeruddin Shah and Pankuj Kapur(brothers-in-law sharing screen presence together for the first time!!) you go in with high expectations and fortunately they both deliver class performances!Dimpal Kapadia and Deepika both contribute significantly. The only wobbly performance was of Arjun Kapoor as a sulky boy but his diction was not clear at times and expression the same for most of the emotions!!

The movie is all about finding what we have lost in our lives but never had the courage to go about it to attain it. Though the dark humour and crisp editing is the movie's USP.

All in all Finding Fanny is a relief from some of the past torturous movies i had to endure!!

The cinematographer also has done a good job in capturing the picturesque Goa at its best.

Homi Adajania is back after his commercial mainstream outing in "Cocktail" to what he does best, tell another quirky tale of dysfunctional individuals which he convincingly told with his debut "Being Cyrus".

"Finding Fanny" let me warn is not your run of the mill movie, it is abstract in its narration but the soul is at the right place.

Homi Adajania adapts Kersi Khambata's story again after "Being Cyrus". "Finding Fanny" primarily tells the story of five individuals Angie (Deepika Padukone), her mother-in-law Rosie (Dimple Kapadia), her naïve affable friend Ferdie (Naseeruddin Shah), her mother-in-law's admirer Don Pedro (Pankaj Kapur) and her brooding secret lover Savio Da Gama (Arjun Kapoor). Based in a small village of Goa Pocolim, the story unfolds when these five principle characters take a road trip to find Ferdie's love, whom he confessed love 46 years back Stefanie Fernandes a.k.a "Fanny" (Anjali Patil). How each character comes to his own and discovers themselves is what the story is all about.

The story premise by Kersi Khambata is wafer thin but it is the screenplay which accentuates the narration. It is the situations that make the story funny; each character is defined well with their set of eccentricities and insecurities. Kersi has done a brilliant job in defining the characters well. But I felt the proceeding goes from quirky to awry as the movie comes to an end. The climax could have been written better. But overall the pace never dips and at the end you have a smile. Well as I said earlier this is not your conventional film so do not expect the obvious.

The Dialogues written by Kersi and Homi is the highlight of the movie which complements the narration and lifts the scenes. They are brilliantly written with subtle humor but the impact is hilarious.

It is the performances by the ensemble cast which is a major highlight and the reason why the movie is a delight to watch. Homi undoubtedly had an enviable cast. Naseeruddin Shah as Ferdie, the emotional affable post master is brilliant. Naseer underplays his character,he has modulated his voice and his body language to portray Ferdie and the outcome is just mind-blowing. Pankaj Kapur who plays the eccentric lusty painter Don Pedro, he again proves his brilliance with this portrayal. Although amongst the five characters, Don Pedro's character is wafer thin as far as the writing goes but Pankaj Kapur with his portrayal takes the character to the zenith. It was delight to watch both the thespians in one frame. Dimple Kapadia as Rosie is brilliant and gives one of her best performances; she captures the nuances of Rosie's character well. Deepika Padukone again gives a good performance with Angie, Homi extracts another cracker performance after her Veronica act in "Cocktail". Arjun Kapoor as Savio, the brooding loser and lover shows his range as an actor.

Anil Mehta's cinematography is so breathtaking that after watching the movie you want to take a trip to Goa. He captures the old Goa so well, something which has not been highlighted well after "Trikaal". Goa's beauty lies beyond the beaches as well and Anil has captured it brilliantly.

Costumes by Anaita Shroff Adajania are so well done that it actually blends with the narration and does not look out of place. Production Design by Manisha Khandelwal is another highlight, every detail is painstakingly executed. The last highlight being the Music by Mathias Duplessy especially the backgrounds score, it just transports you to another world.

Homi Adajania breaks the conventional norms of film making and tries to create an Indian "Little Miss Sunshine"; well he partially succeeds as well. The movie's unconventional take makes it for niche audience and it may not find takers in the masses.

Naseeruddin Shah : is a shy, solemn loner, the post master in a village where no one posts or receives any mail, still is a choirboy singer even though his days of being a boy are well behind him. And he brays, nay, sobs inconsolably as he receives a marriage proposal he'd made to his beloved Fanny via mail, forty-six years ago. It was never posted ! And the only one who understands him, is willing to help him is the girl he considers to be like a daughter, who he thinks will make one lucky bugger a great wife and will also be a super mother…Deepika…

Deepika Padukone : ethereal, leggy, flashing that dimpled smile of hers, a vision in floral dresses, floating through their tiny Goan village, remains upbeat despite all that's happened to her, with her husband choking to death on her wedding day, she till today isn't sure whether she should've accepted her hubby's proposal or gone with his friend instead, her quiet admirer, the quiet, quite infatuated… Arjun….

Arjun Kapoor : left town the day Deepika was going to get married. Rumour has it he went to Mumbai and was successful in some business. Is now back in their village. Not happy about how things have turned out. Prone to angry outbursts. Alone in his dilapidated house, which is falling apart. And working on his old car, which is also falling apart. Which he's just sold to… Pankaj….

Pankaj Kapur : is the new man in town, an award winning artist, a painter who earns huge sums for his every brush stroke. Is enjoying his solitude, the idyllic sylvan surroundings, his alcohol. And is also indulging in his fetish for 'big' women…by ogling at Dimple…

Dimple Kapadia : who does have a really large ass ! Also happens to be Deepika's mother in law and house mate, the woman who makes the tiny village tick, the one who organizes everything and loves being the centre of attention…the type who will try to commit suicide but will cough first to make sure someone is watching…the stingy type who will hide the cookies if she thinks her guest is eating too many…the type who feels too many drinks don't agree with her legs. Gout? Inquires Pankaj, solicitously ? No, she laughs, it makes them spread open…

These five quirky characters set off on a drive to locate Naseer's precious Fanny. In the dilapidated car. From the village that we're assured is so tiny, you cant locate it on a map. And interesting things happen on the way.

This is one of those delicious movies where its not so much about the story but more about the characters and the conversations. Where the script and the dialogue is, quite refreshingly, actually king. Where the music sets the mood but doesn't overpower. Where the performances by the stalwarts, Pankaj, Naseer are every bit what you would expect – they get into the skin of their assigned roles, changing body language, their walk, their way of talking to ensure we believe in them. Pankaj, in particular, has more scope to display his intensity, especially in a little bit towards the end.

Dimple is very good too, dominating yet hesitantly finding her way through the challenges life has thrown at her. Arjun has probably the most unidimensional role and he does it credit. In acting chops, probably the one who has to go the furthest, but he can still hold his head high after this one. And Deepika…ah, sweet, lovely, Deepika! Anyone who doubts whether she can act…I mean, really act…better be advised to watch this one. None of the histrionics, over the top gestures and mannerisms of say, Chennai Express…just subtle changes of expressions, a slightly quizzical mien of inner happiness with just a smidgen of indecision.

This is one of those films which is about journeys, self-discovery, life and more. The lessons made easy with the humour and the idiosyncratic dramatis personae. Set in a place where we all wish we could be…simpler, where time seems to stand still. And its not so much about Finding Fanny, but finding love…at any age…

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