THE JUDGE: Robert & Robert make it an interesting watch! Recommended! [4/5]

Before he excelled in charming us all as the nifty, sharp, flirtatious and witty Tony Stark in the movie-adaptations of the IRON MAN comic series, Robert Downey Jr. has managed quite well donning the cap of a serious actor [Sir Richard Attenborough’s CHAPLIN is the testimony, anyone would swear to respect] surfacing from a numerous ‘Coming of Age’ films. It’s an absolute treat to watch him returning to a plain grounded drama filled with deep dark secrets of a family, relationships holding their own share of protests, outbursts and empathy untold before. And as if one Robert was not enough, Robert Duvall also joins him for absorbingly heartwarming father-son relationship played on screen.

David Dobkin’s THE JUDGE is about Hank Palmer [Robert the junior] a sure and secured attorney finding himself mostly on the sides of the guilty as he vouches for himself, “The innocents can’t afford me”. With a marriage on the threshold of divorce and a pretty smart daughter by his side, Hank’s life takes him back to his native place where his Judge father [Robert the senior] is fighting hard with life after his wife’s death. Hank has hardly any regards for the place that doesn’t have a thing for any change but the current state of affairs leads him to the state of uncertainties, in terms of his leaving the place. The Judge is under scan by local police for murdering one of the convicts, he shares his past with.

THE JUDGE works well with characters that never shed their skin for once and still keep you engaged with a constant hint of surprise in every emotion. Hank is smart, self-assured and an everyday guy who doesn’t want to get confined into a place where his father is actually known to be firm, strict and honest about his morals. This old man has been serving the law for over 40 years now and no matter if he’s on the other side, still doesn’t want to comprise with truth and cooperate with his own son trying every trick of the trade to save his father’s life. Now, the emotions are real heavy and could have been misjudged for a melodramatic tint to it but thanks to the practically sensible approach and the clear air of the characterization, you find an invariable expression of smile on your face for the most.

Robert Downey Jr. intrigues the viewers with his charismatic and confident presence on screen and yes, the witty one-liners he mouths perfectly are worth giggling. Robert Duvall as a morally moody old man gives us a hypnotic performance you want to take away with yourself to appreciate long after leaving the theatre. The frames with both the Roberts together are the most enjoyable scenes. Be it the courtroom scene where they both bring out their deepest emotions towards each other, the bathroom sequence with son helping his aging father trying to wash him or the scenes they confront each other’s point of reference in law and life are amazing!

Vera Farmiga as Hank’s ex-girlfriend shines in a comparatively short role. Emma Themblay impresses as Hank’s daughter who very innocently informs his father, “Mothers get lonely. Fathers don’t. Fathers marry young Mommies”. Overall, THE JUDGE should find a definite viewer in you if you truly believe in emotions we hardly share with our family. As for Hank in the film, this would be a nice, feel-good, emotional homecoming to you also! What better occasion than this festive season! Go for It! [4/5]  

KAANCHI: Average mash-up of uninspiring Events! The old Ghai is missed! [2/5]

It is said that once Charlie Chaplin entered a Chaplin look-alike contest and came second in impersonating himself, now that’s an excellent example of compliment for the artist. But if the showman Subhash Ghai wants to make a Subhash Ghai film and ends up making it look like some hardcore fanmade job, it doesn’t leave much scope for any admiration. His latest KAANCHI is a strictly average mash-up of uninspiring events lifted and borrowed mostly from his own works in the past.

KAANCHI tells us about a simple, straightforward and bold girl from some remote village in Uttarakhand [Ghai’s new discovery Mishty], who doesn’t think twice before standing up against the injustice. When a corrupt politician [Mithun Chakraborty] and a rich businessman [Rishi Kapoor in a Malya inspired character], the brothers-cum-partners in crime join hands to grab an illegal land-deal, Kaanchi’s love-interest Binda [PYAAR KA PUNCHNAMA fame Kartik Tiwari] takes the torch to bring them out in the light. Meanwhile, the infatuated son and worthy successor of the evil forces has lusty intentions towards Kaanchi. The fate has worst for her in its kitty but it’s the undying determination that makes her constantly move forward in this fight against injustice.

With a strong likeness of TAAL and PARDES in visual representation and the happening of the events in the film, there is hardly any scene that is not seen before on screen. It is clearly evident that Ghai still lives and breathes in the same world he was in 10-15 years back. No signs of evolution registered! The sights of villagers singing and dancing in chorus on a big community ground having tricolors in their hands are so so done to death. There is no escape for you from watching our leading lady seducing the villain to acquire some important information kept in a micro SD card and if that doesn’t prove to be the cause of death of your interest in the film, you will have to witness another baddie kidnapping family members of the other side. Am I in 2014 or transported in 70’s Bollywood??

On the performances, the new find Mishti looks fresh and a stunning treat for camera lenses and viewer’s eyes. About acting, all I can say is she’s confident but a long way to gain other’s in her. Kartik impresses in his comparatively shorter role. Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Da do it with ease, since that come with the experience they have but their roles will not be much of an unforgettable experience. If anyone who really gets into the skin of the character, it is Chandan Roy Sanyal as a corrupt cop-turned-good helping soul to Kaanchi. He brings life to every frame he’s in.   

Talking about a Subhash Ghai Film and not mentioning its music? Now, that’s another shame. Ridiculous lyrics [one goes like, “Tu mushtanda tu sexy, tu chalti phirti taxi"], lackluster tunes and a totally average album!! I wish you could watch the weirdest medley of the year titled as ‘Kambal ke neeche’ where Mahima Chaudhary makes a special appearance! It’s hard to sit through such idiocy in times where we intent to talk about changing times and still go back to old formulas for safe way of entertainment.

To put this in short, KAANCHI is a 2 hour 30 min long missing report where we see all our hopes to find glimpse of the Subhash Ghai style of filmmaking die sooner or later! Disappointing!! [2/5]