BARFI! Movie Review

Release date: 14 Sept 2012

 Rating : 3.75/5

Director : Anurag Basu

Producer : Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapoor

Music Director : Pritam

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D’Cruz

Ranbir Kapoor, who has given a super hit with ‘Rockstar’ is again back with Barfi. This film, which marks the debut of South Indian hottie Ileana, has Priyanka Chopra in the main lead. Anurag Basu directs Barfi, while UTV produces this romantic love story. Right form the film was announced Barfi was in much news as Ranbir and Priyanka play physically challenged characters in the film. The promos have heavily caught the imagination of moviegoers and after a lot of promotion and hype the film has finally hit the screens, lets see how it fares.

Story :
Murphy(Ranbir Kapoor) is a happy go lucky person in Darjeeling, who always has something up his sleeve. Though he is deaf and dumb, he lives his life on his own terms. One day he comes across Shruthi(Ileana) and falls in love her. His love hardly lasts as Shruthi gets engaged and leaves Darjeeling. On the other hand Jhilmil(Priyanka Chopra) an autistic patient, is brought to Darjeeling as her grand father is in a serious condition. Right when Barfi is recovering his heart break, his father falls ill. Barfi needs money to save his ailing father, and in the process kidnaps Jhilmil, who herself wants leave her house because of her troubled parents. Murphy takes Jhilmil to Calcutta and once again comes across Shruthi there. He takes Shruthi’s help and starts a new life in Calcutta. Rest of the story forms as to how a innocent Murphy takes care of Jhilmil? and how he is stuck between the two leading ladies of his present life.

Plus Points :
Ranbir Kapoor steals the show once again in Barfi. He looks so fresh and carries the entire film on his shoulders. He is at ease with his mute character and shows subtle variation in his acting. With Rockstar he showed us his intense acting skills, here he brings out the innocent and lovable appeal all through the film. He brings traces of Charlie Chaplin in some the comedy scenes. Priyanka Chopra does a decent job in the film, and matches Ranbir pretty well. She doesn’t go over board with her character and is in line with the script of the film.
Ileana makes a perfect debut. She couldn’t have asked for a better role for her Bollywood debut. She appears right through out the film and has different shades to portray. She perfectly suits the role of a Bengali girl and is particularly awesome in the second half. The movie has a feel good factor right from the start and Ranbir’s character only adds to it. Last half an hour of the second half in gripping and has a suspense element also attached to the film. Saurabh Shukh, Ashish Vidhyarthi suit their roles aptly. Anurag brings out human emotions very well with Barfi. First half an hour of the movie has rib tickling comedy.

Minus Points :
The pacing of the movie might be a problem for some audience. Though a simple love story, pacing dips in most part of the movie. Barfi doesn’t have the regular commercial factors and will not liked by all kinds of viewers. Priyanka’s character in the second half lacks clarity. Though her character can speak, she is never shown conversing. Though the film is based in 70′s, it looks very contemporary. Some scenes such as the police chasing Ranbir have been dragged out right though out the film .

Technical Aspects:
Barfi has a feel good factor going right through out the film. Anurag Basu chooses a fresh subject and intervenes it beautifully with human emotions. Ranbir’s look as a small town boy is very well suited. Music is soothing and the title song in particular stands out, and is also shot well. Lyrics of the movie are heart touching and cinematography is unique. Though, the film is set in the 70′s, its looks contemporary in most of the scenes. Ileana’s look in particular stands out, and her costumes only add to her character. Screenplay of the movie is a bit slow and it sometimes hamper the flow of the film. Anurag Basu succeeds in getting good performances from his actors, and narrates Barfi in a different tone altogether. He sticks to the plot and doesn’t wary from the script.

Verdict :
On the whole, Barfi falls in those categories of feel good cinema. Scintillating performances, decent music and fresh look of the film are sure shot plus points. On the flip side Barfi doesn’t have the regular entertainment factors which Bollywood is getting used to recently. This is a kind of film where you need to leave all your inhibitions of movie watching, and just indulge in the experience. A simple film, simple story and some heart touching moments, Barfi is one film which is a must watch.
Rating : 4.00/5
Legend:
5 – Flawless
4 – Must Watch
3 – One Time Watch
2 – Wait for the DVD
1 – Stay Away