Road

The good: "Road" is different for a Bollywood film. It's a thriller and road film and not yet another sappy love story. The 3 leads are all good performers and breathe life into a script that has its share of holes and Bollywood nonsense. The camera work is ok (not counting that awful hair in one shot) and the 5.1 sound is quite effective as well.

The bad: The subject may be new for Bollywood, it has been done do death in Hollywood since Spielberg launched this sub-genre with Duel (1971/I) (TV) (see for example also Breakdown (1997)/Joy Ride (2001)/Friday Night Date, A (2000)/Hitcher, The (1986), etc.). So there goes the originality. The songs are there because a Bollywood film has songs, period. They don't do much for the story. They could be cut without any loss. They slow down the pace. The police shenanigans are tiresome, the ending is very Bollywood. Finally the cut and paste technique in the background score with straight lifts from existing Hollywood soundtracks is annoying. (For example check the scene where Bajpai forces Oberoi out of the car the second time and shoots at him. The music at that moment is a direct copy from "Rock, The (1996)".) It does not matter that the intended audience is not likely to notice this. It's unethical and unprofessional. If Bollywood has any aspirations to go global that practice has to stop at once.

This is one of the most stylish films in Bollywood's recent history. Yes world, we are now finally a part of the MTV generation, with our piercings and sexy dancing, fast cars and lots of flesh. Road is a slick film, to say the least. The visual style is reminiscent of Wong Kar Wai's works, lending the film a racy mood. And the best part is, these are characters to whom we can relate. As beautiful as Antara Mali is, she does not come across as one of the many light-eyed, light-hair, candy floss castle types that have become icons of Indian romantic cinema.

The initial premise is simple - guy loves girl, girl loves guy, dad hates guy, they elope. But we never see Daddy dear, and there is none of that weepy confrontation between father and daughter that indian films love so much. Lakshmi is a spunky girl. Her words are witty, and she mocks Arvind (Vivek Oberoi) when he says he wants to marry her. Yet they elope and en route from Delhi to Rajasthan, they encounter an unusual hitchhiker.

I won't say more about the plot, because there are some incredibly suspenseful scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The music works well as a vehicle for the plot, building the mood instead of coming across as superfluous moments of pretty scenery. There are some delightfully funny moments, that arise naturally from successful 3-dimensional characters. All in all, a great film that should inspire the new generation of Indian filmmakers that there are other genres to be explored. Let's face it, the era of family dramas is coming to an end.

The movie plays as an eye opener for todays' Rider's that offer ride on their way to unknown strangers (male/female).

It gives an important message and an education itself.

Hats off to all the artists and mainly Manoj for realistically portraying a character with multiple shades.

Oh man! Manoj bajpayee- he is crazy! Watch this movie only for him.

Road is - thankfully - a departure from the Indian cinema norm. No guy meets girl, parents disapprove, 15,000 songs, good guy bad guy mumbo jumbo. A simple story, brilliant acting, and great cinematography.

In a nutshell, a guy (Vivek Oberoi) and girl (Antara Mali) are in love and on the run. Pretty Bollywood so far. But this is until they run across a wanderer (Manoj Bajpai) in the deserts of Rajasthan. The rest I leave up to you to watch.

The only point I wanted to reinforce was Vivek Oberoi. He made his debut in Company, and has risen through the ranks, straight to numero uno. As always, he is outstanding. Do not be surprised if he leaves the Hrithiks and the Arjun Rampals in his dust. Keep your eyes on this one.

Manoj Bajpai - one of my personal favorites - was no less then his "good guy" counterpart. He was superlative in Satya (my all time favorite movie), and has a string of other successes under his belt. Once again in Road, Bajpai is at his best.

The girl. One word. Hot.

This is a Ram Gopal Varma movie. He also made Satya and Comapany. Enough said. I think I like this man.

By and large, Road was superb. Great songs, an awesome soundtrack, and flawless acting all make for one of the better movies released in Indian cinemas of late. Enjoy!