Happy Ending

well, it was a movie i watched till the end, so it wasn't horrible. and i had gone fully prepared to abandon it midway, but i guess i didn't. and i don't like romantic comedies to begin with, so there i have my disclaimers out of the way. basically its a slow paced movie, and not very well made so it just trudges along predictably, while making fun of other such predictable movies. saif is the centrepiece of the movie, and he does hold it together ; but we've seen similar performances from him before. his alter ego is quite annoying though. elena is a total miscast, seems like she is in a daze. govinda has been one of my favourites, and its sad to see him having aged and playing second fiddle. preity zinta is also a mistake i think; should have had a fresh face. why do we need to see her ageing ? and in such an inconsequential role too. ranveer shourey also does not add much to the movie. apart from saif i guess none of the characters have any depth. the dialogues are quite predictable ; and i can see a new trend of having the characters speak in an American way. the only thing i liked was the ending where they preserved some of the story's integrity.

Direction by Director duo Mr. Raj and Mr. Krishna, is good. There is nothing in the name of story written by director themselves. Yes love stories have rarely something new to offer but this one has literally nothing. Dialogues by Hussain Dalal are witty. Screenplay is OK. Few scenes are quite good and innovative. Like, the scene when both lead ask for lift on roadside is routine but the way they have improvised and presented made it fresh and innovative. The bed scene in hotel started with common note of extra room not available type of lame excuse but then ended with a very fresh and entertaining way. The restaurant scene started with a common way but ended on a cute note of both had poured water on each other. Screenplay is actually in bits and pieces. Sometimes you enjoy the movie but then it bores you too mostly. This boredom comes due to absence of story too. Interval is just because they had to divide the film in two part otherwise it was not required at all. The filmy stardom satire through Govinda's character was not so apt. Performance wise Saif Ali Khan is perfect in his comfort zone. Ileana D Cruz is fine. Kalki is a good actress but nothing was her to perform then also she is good. Govinda and Ranvir Shorey are OK. Music by Sachin Jiagar is good. " Pajji tussi such a pussy cat" is foot tapping and "Jaise Mera Tu" is melodious.

Lending quirky touches to a romantic soufflé through its protagonists who are quite similar in their attributes, director duo Raj and DK give a Woody-Allen type verve to the rom-com genre in their latest flick, "Happy Ending". It gives us a feeling of "Been here, seen there" when we encounter the philandering and commitment- phobic writer, Yudi(played by Saif Ali Khan)who just can't say "I love you" to any of his romantic interests, because he feels love comes with a big baggage.

Riding on an ostentatious high in Los Angeles with his success- script which he wrote five and years ago,Yudi is happy with his highly questionable 'single' status, his miserably married Montu(Ranvir Shorey) and the grizzly grumpy alter-ego, Yogi(Saif again, with thick long beard and paunch)who advises philosophy and gives him gyaan. And this is until one fine day , when he collides with the harshest reality - he has virtually gone bankrupt with no financial support to pay his bills. In a desperate move to gain quick bucks, he agrees to write a 'kick-ass' script for a fading Bollywood superstar, Arman-ji(Govinda)whose career is on a downward spiral and he needs a hit badly. To get inspiration, he follows the gorgeous romantic- novel writer Aanchal(Illeana) who brushes off his charms initially only to fall into love.

Right from the start,Raj and DK achieve an instant connect with the audience. Unlike their previous projects (Shor in the city,Go Goa Gone),the setting here is quite urbane - foreign locales,skyscrapers,bright sunny days and the sprightly dialogues that make the mood upbeat. And the best part of the film are its hilarious moments of laughter , specially involving Yudi and Montu when they break into Yudi's ex-Vishaka's(Kalki Koechlin) flat.The romantic built-up meanders through a long drive alongside the scenic beaches, the sun playing razzmatazz with the sea waves which ends up funnily with the couple on bed. However, the second half trespasses into a slog zone ;perhaps the writers wanted to try too much of their sensibilities to make it more palatable by offering us the routine slow music numbers, the lovers' conflicts and a conventional climactic airport scene.

What certainly works here is the rehash of the characters that Saif Ali Khan has already played. Reprising the same uber-cool, urbane and metro-sexual ,self-conflicted lover, he gives Yudi an endearing touch and the ingenious charm which is his forte. At the same time, the actor must contemplate about re-inventing himself before being typecast.Govinda puts forth a delicious Bollywood narcissist who throws up some real gems and you get a moment of 'aww' when he goes shirtless to show his newly developed abs.Ranvir Shorey, in his typical straight-faced avatar, is the staple source of all humor that goes as a credit for the movie.Kalki impresses with her psycho- stalker syndrome and its her uninhibited self which makes the character interesting.Illeana's looks sweet but her character comes across as a fluffy one without much of depth.Preity Zinta as Yudi's 2AM friend has an extended cameo and you might get a pang of the yesteryear Salaam Namaste!

On the whole, Happy Ending is a breezy feel-good entertainer. It starts happily and ends happily. And as the writer says, "Dont Analyze Love, just live the moment", it calls for a momentous indulgence with modern-day relationships.

After the dull Go Goa Gone, Writer-Director Duo Raj Nidimoru & Krishna D. K, churn out a rather predictable film with 'Happy Ending. The Storytelling, The Treatment & The Exeuction, offer no novelty at all. A Been-There-Seen-That Rom-Com!

'Happy Ending' Synopsis: A once-successful author finds his life on the edge, until a fellow-writer inspires him to write again.

'Happy Ending' lacks the wit & energy, besides it being shamelessly predictable. The central protagonists portrayed by Saif Ali Khan & Ileana D'Cruz (both looking tired & bored) aren't romantics by nature & that's the prime reason why the on-screen chemistry between the two doesn't work.

But not all's bad in here, 'Happy Ending' redeems itself to some extend, by giving us some deliciously entertaining supporting characters. Govinda, as a fading film star, hits all the right notes, despite being reduced into a brief cameo. Ranvir Shorey, as Saif's best-friend, who's petrified of his wife, brings the house down. He's hilarious! Kalki Koechlin, as Saif's stalker girlfriend, however, steals the show with a terrific performance. Her scenes are the high-point of the enterprise. Sadly, there isn't much of her!

On the whole, 'Happy Ending' is a letdown.

Happy Ending was a complete surprise with engaging script , hilarious moments and nice songs.

A struggling author gets a chance to write "kick-ass" script for an ageing actor who himself is planning to re-invent.

From the director of entertainments like 99, Shor In The City and Go Goa Gone, Krishna D.K., Raj Nidimoru gives you another wonderful story after a long time on Indian Screen. The theme is niche and will be acid test for them if it will be accepted by Indian audience. The film starts off very will with Saif Ali Khan, Ranvir Shorey and Govinda tickling your funny bone. Directors do not waste much time and gets into crux of the plot. Till interval , you will be engaged and entertained but the second half becomes little monotonous and climax scene could have better executed. Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru are getting better with each film and this one is no exception. Screenplay is tight but loses the steam later. Art direction and cinematography is awesome. Dialogues are funny. Music by Sachin-Jigar is foot-tapping with"G Phaadke" being pick-up from the lot. Performance Ranvir SHorey, Govinda and Saif Ali Khan is note worthy. They are amazing and will make sure to entertain you. Illeana overacts and Kalki does justice to her part.

Overall , Happy Ending is a feel-good rom-com attempted by the director duo and probably witnessed on Indian Screen after a long time and thumbs-up to the makers for trying out something new. Good 3/5