We Are Family

Despite what some people might say, this movie was great. It was filled with emotional moments. Every actor/actress delivered a strong performance. Even the kids were great and believable as the characters.

And yea, I doubt this would happen the way it did in real life, but isn't the point of making movies is to step away from reality for a few hours? If you wanna see something sad, something real, something about love, something about trust, something about sacrifice and something about family...then this is your movie. Don't expect perfection but it comes close enough...

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A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

We Are Family is an official remake of the famous 1998 Hollywood movie Stepmom. The story of the film is just perfect for a Hindi film because that's what Indian audiences like and can relate to. I never understood, why bother to remake a film which in itself was not particularly great, but the movie certainly lacks the verve of Stepmom and as expected it resorts to sentimentality far more often. I did not expect much from We Are Family, and it was just the way I thought it would be. The movie is a melodramatic tearjerker of its sort. It is of course much more realistic in its overall portrayal but there too it had its share of loopholes, being a tad too dated and conservative for its time.

The film is of course highly predictable, but it has its touching moments from time to time despite being generally unconvincing. At first the film was really poorly developed and later on it turned into a very sentimental and emotionally unrestrained tale which is fairly enjoyable and occasionally moving but never particularly memorable. Towards the second half, the film has a very familiar Kal Ho Naa Ho feel to it, but while the latter was flavoured with great comedy and a witty touch of New York's realism, We Are Family sometimes lacks soul. In its favour it can be said that it's focused, but at the same time it's a bit too long for the story it tells, although not very long per se, where Hindi film parameters are concerned.

One of the main reasons I decided to go through the film was of course the casting. Kajol leads the film with a heartfelt and natural performance which is compelling and moving. Kareena Kapoor supports really well in a restrained act, but at times I felt the story did not dig enough into her character's thoughts, dilemmas and fears before she took the decision to do what she did, and that's one of the examples of the faulty script. Arjun Rampal is convincing as the caring ex-husband. Among the kids, they're above average to okay but the cute-as-a-button Diya Sonecha was really likable, even if not particularly for her acting. She at times reminded me of the adorable little kid playing the younger daughter in Shekhar Kapur's classic Masoom.

Many movies have shown films about families in times of trouble and their way of dealing with it together, whether it's Terms of Endearment, Stepmom or the Indian movies Anuraag, Kaash. We Are Family is one of them. I still wonder why it was so necessary to make it, and though it generally lacks the power to captivate and stay with you after the show has ended and is lacking in substance, it's still a well-acted and generally watchable movie despite its flaws.

A remake of the 1998 Hollywood-hit 'Stepmom', 'We Are Family' is a decent film, but, it caters to Women mainly, lacking universal appeal. Debutant-Director Siddharth Malhotra, pays homage to it's original... but again, the emotion what 'Stepmom' offered, this film lacks in that department.

'We Are Family' is about a divorced couple, played by Arjun Rampal & Kajol respectively, their 3 kids and their would-be Stepmom, played by Kareena Kapoor.

'We Are Family' has it's share of wonderful moments, and to be honest, the first hour is power-packed. The problem begins in the Second Hour, the Screenplay goes for a toss. The culmination in the original, was a pure genius. Whereas, the culmination of this remake is out of emotions. It doesn't leave the impact, as per expectations. Another sore point is its soundtrack by Shankar-Eshaan-Loy. None of the songs are memorable.

Production Values, as expected from Karan Johar, are first-rate. Siddharth Malhotra makes a fine debut as a filmmaker. The adapted Screenplay drags itself in the second hour. Mohanan's Cinematography is passable. Editing by Deepa Bhatia is good.

In the acting department, Arjun Rampal is superb. He plays his part with control and patience. Kajol is believable, as always. Kareena Kapoor is good. All the kids, are highly efficient.

On the whole, 'We Are Family' is a decent film, that has some potential working on it's advantage. Watch it if you must!

"We Are Family" is Karan Johar's adaptation of Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts starrer "Step mom," a family drama on the rivalry between the two female protagonists on motherhood, played by Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. Indeed the performances of both make it an enjoyable yarn with amiable performances from the three kids. Despite its glibness or a lackluster epilogue, the film is able to impart emotions and grips you most of the times.

Rating: 2 stars out of 4

I went to see the movie mainly because I saw few reviews saying it is a entertaining movie. But take my words 'It is not entertaining at all except one song(lets rock)'. Personally I did not liked a movie having so much of centiment through-out the movie but if you are seeing the movie with your family you may like it.First half is good but it was unbearable for me in the second half. Here is some good and bad things about it...

good: 1. You should take your kids to see the movie as there are three beautiful kids in the movie who in actual best part of it. 2. Cinematography in Bollywood standard is quite good. 3. If you liked 'Kabhi Albida na Kahena' you may like it. 4. As expected Kajol, Kareena, Arjun done their job, specially Arjut Rampal lifted his acting up one level.

bad: 1. Does not do what a film should do-take the viewers fully into the story. I heard few people beside me laughing in a very emotional moment. 2. Music is so so. 3. No entertainment as such. 4. Could have been better if the duration bit short.