Um Amor Magnífico

I just don't know why this movie has got such a low rating. Its quite a decent movie with a quirky comedy and bordering on being fantastical.

Its quite refreshing and novel(otherwise I would have rated it just 7). This is one major positive point in support of the movie. Even if you dislike it, I bet you will not find this movie concept a repetition of some movie theme/concept already in the public domain.

One important point to keep in mind is that you can't watch this movie with all the seriousness and take it literally. The movie setting, the ambiance, the starting, begs the audience to take this movie light on logic. Otherwise you will not only NOT enjoy this movie, you will also find it absurd and very illogical. I myself found the fact of a human not sleeping a single time upto his/her adulthood quite absurd, but if you take this within the movie context, the setting, the ambiance, you should not be that much bothered. As I already mentioned earlier, the movie borders on being fantastical.

I have quite a sympathy with Vikas Bahl, and the producers, and myself. For the film makers, its obvious, because they lost a lot of money despite making a decent fresh film. For myself, because I was going to watch it in theatre but didn't and missed, just because it got so poor response/reviews from public!

Generally, like every other member in the cinema audience we all sit through and watch a movie no matter how terrible it is since we paid for it, obviously, but 15 fifteen minutes into this movie, I realized I have wasted my money, but I gave it a fair chance and sat for another hour to get tortured, after which, me and my friends just simply walked out. I didn't want to waste another minute of my time. The movie was basically what its name suggests it is, but not in terms of plot, acting, comedy,romance and character development. The only thing "shandaar", was the set, the clothing and the location. No character was relatable ,specially not the lead characters. It seemed like a stupid, nonsensical amalgamation of superficiality and the love story of the two most unsuited characters I have ever seen on screen. This is the only movie iv'e watched for which I can't really say, *still a better love story than twilight*. No, twilight was certainly better

The comedy, *sighs*, annoying stereotypes which made me want to pull my hair throughout the movie. If someone wants their brain cells to die then please watch this movie and see actors like Alia bhatt who felt that their face and figure is enough to make this movie work, Acting isn't really required. Well, even kathrina kaif needed some kind of plot support for a hit movie :)

Like most of you I had huge expectations from this movie being a Vikas Bahl one, but this one was more of a comedy film. There is no message as such, which is contrary to most of his movies. Nevertheless the movie is comical till the end and certain unexpected twists make it a Shandaar wedding. Clearly portrays what Shandaar truly is when it comes to wedding. Pankaj Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor's combination bring in the comedy, but the film does not have a message or story or learning as such and a bit boring at certain parts. First time Shahid and is dad in one movie and they'll make you ROFL. It's basically, a Sit-Com and on a destination wedding but very different from the usual ones. If you're a comedy lover you will like it because the star cast is perfect for such a movie. No better combination than Shahid Alia and Pankaj. All of them have done outstanding acting especially Sushma Seth

Bollywood has carved out various films based on the wedding theme and they have done well so far. Monsoon Wedding, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Band Baja Baraat etc are all about wedding clothes, drama, endless dance and song sequences with glorified Indian shaadi rituals. Shaandaar takes one step further by exploring the destination wedding theme but turns out to a forgettable affair.

Shaandaar talks about a business deal between two families at the backdrop of destination wedding theme in the countryside of UK. However, little is known to them that both families are bankrupt.

Expectations are sky-high as the film is directed by Vikas Bahl who previously made the National Award winning film Queen. With big names like Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar backing the film, it was supposed to be better than Queen. However, after watching the film you will be disappointed big time. The movie begins with impressive animation telling the story in flashback coupled with subsequent introduction of each characters. If the first half is hilarious, fun and has moments to be remembered, second half is thoroughly disappointing. Even though Bahl had wonderful story to tell, but the lethargic pace and superficial drama could not salvage the film from falling into the pit. The good news is that there are few engaging moments like the wonderful chemistry between Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor, the interaction between Shahid Kapoor and Pankaj Kapur, the visual appeal of the film and the stunning CGI makes it somewhat watchable. Music by Amit Trivedi is good but not excellent. Editing is extremely poor. Why the heck of putting in scenes of Karan Johar's interview, Qawwalli song and the sky- diving which causes hindrance to the movement of the film. Cinematography is astounding capturing the exotic locations of UK. Choreography is electrifying especially in the "Gulabo" and "Shaandaar" songs.

Performance is the only silver-lining in this messy drama. Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt carries the film on their shoulder. The unusual pairing will be loved and liked by all. Shahid Kapoor does well in entertaining you and Alia Bhatt looks charming and adorable. She is just getting better in expressions with each film. Pankaj Kapur is brilliant. His scenes with Shahid will definitely bring down the house. Sanah Kapoor does a good job as a first timer.

So , overall , a golden opportunity gone wasted . Rather than concentrating on technical aspects of the film , Vikas Bahl should have made sincere efforts in the direction and screenplay area. If you are looking for a fairy tale candy-floss romance, Shaandaar might be be a good choice otherwise you can skip it. Decent 2 / 5

There is nothing in the name of story. Idea to make love story of insomniacs, with some quirky characters sounds bright but outcome is very dull. Screenplay is in bits and pieces. Dialogues by Anwita Dutt is only good thing of this film. It make you laugh. Characterization is very bad. One person can't speak 'Insomniac' word properly but speaks fluent English after few scenes in Police Station. Person is afraid of dark and night but decides to go out in night for bike ride because makers have thought an interesting scene ahead. Yes of course, this love scene near water fall is good one. Very convenient plots like marriage for the sake of business. Adopted girl, over the top grand mother, who rules the family but do not mind to flirt with a wedding organizer of her grand son age. Literally, makers have preferred budget over brain. They go for bikini scene, which even they show repeatedly in end credit. How can I believe that director of Queen can think that a bikini scene can sail his movie!? Ridiculous. Unnecessary expensive animations. Caterpillar crawling on collar, butterfly flying on dress and lots of. Even for voice over they don't mind animations but what about creativity!? They have conceived cheesy scenes like 'Menhdi with Karan' because they could have afforded him. I was so irritated when they show the burning wheel chair cum sofa in end. What the F... was that? First half is slow, second half is very slow with a weird uninteresting climax. Performance wise Shahid Kapoor is balanced and acts good. Alia Bhatt is very good. She is too good in portraying care free girl. Pankaj Kapoor is good. Jalal Hunni as groom is OK. Choreography of all songs is grand. Songs look larger than life. Music by Amit Trivedi is fresh and foot tapping.