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Review - Oye Lucky Lucky Oye: Flat story, flatter narration
Quick Review
Skip the italicized bits to read review. The italicized bits are my thoughts on the on-going war in Mumbai interspersed in between the review.
Over 40 hours since the country has been held hostage. Each one of us hostage to TV channels, internet reports, or twitter and some of us hostages inside the Taj, or The Oberoi or Nariman House. Each one either scared or worried or angry or frustrated or some combination thereof. But each one of us helpless.
What can we do? Abuse the government, opposition, media? Did that and got bored within 20 minutes. What else can I do? The only thing I can think of is to panic as little as possible and continue the routine. So here I am doing what I do every Friday. Trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to ignore what's happening 150kms away, trying to keep my angst on the world outside from making a judgment on the world inside the dark, secure(?) cinema hall.
So, there's this thief, Lucky and he does what he enjoys doing best - stealing. So, he starts off as an insolent youth stealing, he steals as he grows. Then steals some more. And repeat. There is no high point in the drama that makes me curious about the end.
feel like sending a text message out to see if the drama in the real world seems any closer to an end.
Of course, he steals cars and carpets and all things expensive. But he also steals teddy bears, greeting cards, and family photographs. Fine. He does it with finesse, charm, and presence of mind. In fact, the ease with which he steals is "almost" unbelievable.
Well, if a city can be set on fire so easily, then...
Now the promos claim that he steals your hearts too. Uh...no...Well, Abhay Deol, the actor's, dimples are cute. But there is only so much he can do within the confines of what Lucky, his character allows him to do. He's smug, doesn't take life too seriously and has an arrogant sense of humor that keeps a smile on your face through the two hours.
this is weird, I'm smiling and yet my eyes go misty every time I think, Mumb...
Three cheers to the dialogue writer...
Though, of course, the point of the movie is not to make us laugh. It is to tell a story. Of this man who is so endearing that you supposedly don’t mind him stealing - Bunty and Babli style. But the story doesn't tug your heart. I see no reason why the police should get all pal-ly with Lucky.
or maybe I've just gone numb. After all, I'm in this theater watching a movie on this day of terror...there you go Mr. Terrorist, I won't get terrorized, I'm desensitized now! BOOHOO to you!!!
There is this subtle comment on how an otherwise insensitive guy is completely bowled over and gullible when he's treated as family. And this because he has had a troubled childhood because of his family. It also comments on the media-mania. In fact the official site has director, Dibakar Bannerjee saying -
It's also inspired by crime reportage in the new shining India. ... crime is fun, it's good TRP.
Ouch! What timing...
I'm sorry guys, I'm going to cop out of this one...the plot doesn't hold much water; it is a smart-ass comedy with decent actors who have wonderful accents. I need a story or a good narrative that engrosses, didn’t get either.
Stay safe...
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye - Cast and Crew
- Official Website: Link
- Producer: Ronnie Screwwala
- Director: Dibakar Banerjee
- Lead Cast: Paresh Rawal, Abhay Deol, Neetu Chandra
- Supporting Cast: Archana Puran Singh, Manu Rishi, Richa Chadda
- Story: Urmi Juvekar, Dibakar Banerjee
- Screenplay: Urmi Juvekar, Dibakar Banerjee
- Dir. of Photography: Kartik Vijay
- Music Director: Sneha Khanwalkar
Sumeet:
Usha Khanna was one ... i dont remember any other
Also, I am looking forward to it ... seems to be interesting going by the review on passionforcinema
posted 1 year, 3 months agomeetu:
Wow...so we do have very few women music directors.
Yeah, I liked Navdeep Singh's movie and if he liked the movie, it sure is a good sign.
posted 1 year, 3 months agosilvan:
meetu i liked the film KGK
posted 1 year, 3 months agoit was a nice satire on common men and then being robbed
i agree they were flaws but a good film
joylynford:
the essence of this film is in the story and with paresh rawal I like the movie. It was a sweet comedy. I will again re watch this movie. it a hit.
posted 1 year, 3 months agoSudhir Nair:
oh boy..nearly a thumbs down from u..although Ive been reading some rave reviews..will see it to decide myself..btw it feels shitty being in mumbai right now..what with the rumours flying around..family member constantly worried about the ppl who are in off..its mentally harrowing..and the worst part is that nothing will ever change..after this issue will die down..all of us forget what happened untill the next round of attacks come along..
posted 1 year, 3 months agomanuscrypts:
oh, thats a contrarian review... the lure of chitrangada singh's return was too much to resist, watching that today :) so maybe I shall wait for the dvd of OLLO :)
posted 1 year, 3 months agomeetu:
yeah sudhir, just nothing happens with the characters...only the wit keeps it interesting.
posted 1 year, 3 months agoMumbai - first, lets just hope this one dies down...Taj emptied, oh no wait...Nariman House emptied, oh no wait...
meetu:
i certainly liked sorry bhai! better, manucsrypts. Review will be up shortly. Not that you needed me to say this, but Chitrangadha Singh is worth every penny! ;)
posted 1 year, 3 months agoAseem Behl:
Seems you have some prejudice against Dibakar Banerjee.
How else can you explain rating Khosla ka Ghosla & Oye Lucky Lucky Oye below crap movies like Dhamaal, Jannat, Salaam-e-ishq and so many others
posted 1 year, 3 months agohanish:
Dear meetu please have a relook for my sake. I have always cherished your equanimity in comments.just when a filmmaker assumes an intelligent audience why crib. Its a superbly layered story. he doesnt steal for fun but as a career for the basic individual need for identity, steals everything as a professional. the breakdown of family roles (parent), unemployment, class disparity but the desire to reach. It breathes Delhi, a slice of life with a dash of spice. and just to remind u the most realistic cops (if u visit a delhi pcr). i believe overentusiastic editing to make it short may have made it appear flat to u.
posted 1 year, 3 months agochavanni:
http://chavannichap.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post_7774.html
posted 1 year, 3 months agoNoopur:
journey of a conman.... i know it doesnt have much drama... but just want to marvel at the amount of thought the director has given in writing each scene... but the problem is when these scenes were knit together it didnt result in a good sceenplay... so i would say, each scene individually was marvellous... but the screenplay not quite. but i loved the movie...
posted 1 year, 3 months agovarun:
Oye Lucky got me high expectations entry inside theatre given its lineage of such stupendous satire like Khosla ka Ghosla. I got settled with my partner watching the initial frames go by with that cusp like pattern wherein It was feeling quiet a harsh satire on some gulli boy next door with its fundamental ethos blunted by life's complexities. Okay, there were some fine moments especially for northern Indians with those typical delhiite dialect and jokes, was realy funny sometimes especially that new sardar kid playing lucky at 15 years was treat to watch. Further, by the time this 15 years's guys life was unravelling on the unwanted path, the cinematography, the camera work was breezing through with some excellent sequences totally gripping with that mixed feeling of satire as well lively experience of character's. Then emerges Abhay deol on scene with his too real a character portrayal partner who was real good fit for the role and takes it right through the end. The performances by all characters were appealing but nevertheless as the cusp character set in the beginning making the audience believing that something better will come up in terms of fundamental ethos of the movie, it actually was turning out to be too much a stretch on glamorizing through satire the art of stealing and theft and deceipt and greed and awry relationships and what not.
Of course you got have your core of the movie pretty intact otherwise the mindful audiences cant just keep laughing at the same kinda satirical jokes on life's gripping realities and glamorizing its false aspects. As the movie reaching its ending I could actually see peple getting up their seats becoming restless of the over all feeling of the movie actually shifting from gags to boring stretced and dysfunctional satire.
posted 1 year, 3 months agorajat:
"Though, of course, the point of the movie is not to make us laugh" .....why we want all masala in one film ? I believe its an excellent comedy which keeps you glued to screen even after a bit of repititive story. I agree with Noopur that each scene is marvelous. The detailing, the accent, the locations is so fresh. Some how I didn't felt any further need for a "filmy story line" to keep me gripped. Awesome movie with a perfect climax.
posted 1 year, 3 months agojanhavi:
150 Kms from Mumbai is a bit too less to smell the real fragrance of this movie. Its a must watch for any body who has ever been to Delhi.
posted 1 year, 3 months agomeetu:
No Aseem, seriously no. I met the man, and he is adorable. His movies, unfortunately, don't seem to work for me.
hanish and janhavi, i think that's the problem. That i'm not aware of the 'essence of Delhi'. But then, I am not a part of Romania and wasn't even aware of what went on there in the 80s and yet a Romanian movie about one particular situation there is one of my favorites.
Noopur, I found the individual scenes too repetitive. And, repetition is not something I'm fond of.
varun, though I didn't understand all of your comment, but in general seems like you were not too happy while walking out. and that's important, the feeling you have while walking out.
rajat, you got me wrong. I am acknowledging the fact that the movie was not intended to be funny. I didn't want a 'filmy' story, all i wanted is a 'story'. A non-story with a gripping narrative style would do too.
posted 1 year, 3 months agoJahan Bakshi:
I haven't rated the film 'so-so'- I thought it was jolly good!
posted 1 year, 3 months agomeetu:
Sincere apologies Jahan, the mistake has been rectified.
posted 1 year, 3 months agoMovie buff:
The movie was simply outstanding. I think more than anything, the direction was superb. The background music was sparingly used. His portrayal of the real Delhi people and their mentality was a revelation coz being in Mumbai, I have never seen this side of Delhi
posted 1 year, 3 months agoHarshad:
Actually this is very rare that I do not agree with your review, and it is one of those films. May be your review would have been different if there were no terror attacks going on when you saw the movie?
I thought the movie was pretty good!
posted 1 year, 3 months agoThough the end left something to be desired.
meetu:
Possible, Harshad. Which is why I wanted to make it clear that the situation in Mumbai was on my mind continuously. Usually, when I'm watching a movie whatever my state of mind before it, I'm tuned in once the movie starts. And can claim its the movie's fault if my mind starts to wander. But this time, it was different.
I'm glad you enjoyed the movie.
posted 1 year, 3 months agoAseem Behl:
Dibakar.B talks about OLLO in a candid chat with Amit Masurkar and Karan Makhija.
He also defends his use of "flat narration" in OLLO, check it out Meetu!
Here is the link:
http://passionforcinema.com/dibakar-unplugged/
posted 1 year, 3 months agoSudhir Nair :
oh boy..nearly a thumbs down from u..although Ive been reading some rave reviews..will see it to decide myself..btw it feels shitty being in mumbai right now..what with the rumours flying around..family member constantly worried about the ppl who are in off..its mentally harrowing..and the worst part is that nothing will ever change..after this issue will die down..all of us forget what happened untill the next round of attacks come along..
posted 1 year, 2 months agomanuscrypts:
oh, thats a contrarian review… the lure of chitrangada singh’s return was too much to resist, watching that today :) so maybe I shall wait for the dvd of OLLO :)
posted 1 year, 2 months agomeetu:
yeah sudhir, just nothing happens with the characters…only the wit keeps it interesting. Mumbai - first, lets just hope this one dies down…Taj emptied, oh no wait…Nariman House emptied, oh no wait…
posted 1 year, 2 months agomeetu :
i certainly liked sorry bhai! better, manucsrypts. Review will be up shortly. Not that you needed me to say this, but Chitrangadha Singh is worth every penny! ;)
posted 1 year, 2 months agoAseem Behl :
Seems you have some prejudice against Dibakar Banerjee. How else can you explain rating Khosla ka Ghosla & Oye Lucky Lucky Oye below crap movies like Dhamaal, Jannat, Salaam-e-ishq and so many others
posted 1 year, 2 months agohanish:
Dear meetu please have a relook for my sake. I have always cherished your equanimity in comments.just when a filmmaker assumes an intelligent audience why crib. Its a superbly layered story. he doesnt steal for fun but as a career for the basic individual need for identity, steals everything as a professional. the breakdown of family roles (parent), unemployment, class disparity but the desire to reach. It breathes Delhi, a slice of life with a dash of spice. and just to remind u the most realistic cops (if u visit a delhi pcr). i believe overentusiastic editing to make it short may have made it appear flat to u.
posted 1 year, 2 months agochavanni:
Hi
posted 1 year, 2 months agoNoopur:
journey of a conman…. i know it doesnt have much drama… but just want to marvel at the amount of thought the director has given in writing each scene… but the problem is when these scenes were knit together it didnt result in a good sceenplay… so i would say, each scene individually was marvellous… but the screenplay not quite. but i loved the movie…
posted 1 year, 2 months agovarun:
Oye Lucky got me high expectations entry inside theatre given its lineage of such stupendous satire like Khosla ka Ghosla. I got settled with my partner watching the initial frames go by with that cusp like pattern wherein It was feeling quiet a harsh satire on some gulli boy next door with its fundamental ethos blunted by life’s complexities. Okay, there were some fine moments especially for northern Indians with those typical delhiite dialect and jokes, was realy funny sometimes especially that new sardar kid playing lucky at 15 years was treat to watch. Further, by the time this 15 years’s guys life was unravelling on the unwanted path, the cinematography, the camera work was breezing through with some excellent sequences totally gripping with that mixed feeling of satire as well lively experience of character’s. Then emerges Abhay deol on scene with his too real a character portrayal partner who was real good fit for the role and takes it right through the end. The performances by all characters were appealing but nevertheless as the cusp character set in the beginning making the audience believing that something better will come up in terms of fundamental ethos of the movie, it actually was turning out to be too much a stretch on glamorizing through satire the art of stealing and theft and deceipt and greed and awry relationships and what not. Of course you got have your core of the movie pretty intact otherwise the mindful audiences cant just keep laughing at the same kinda satirical jokes on life’s gripping realities and glamorizing its false aspects. As the movie reaching its ending I could actually see peple getting up their seats becoming restless of the over all feeling of the movie actually shifting from gags to boring stretced and dysfunctional satire.
posted 1 year, 2 months agorajat:
“Though, of course, the point of the movie is not to make us laugh” …..why we want all masala in one film ? I believe its an excellent comedy which keeps you glued to screen even after a bit of repititive story. I agree with Noopur that each scene is marvelous. The detailing, the accent, the locations is so fresh. Some how I didn’t felt any further need for a “filmy story line” to keep me gripped. Awesome movie with a perfect climax.
posted 1 year, 2 months agojanhavi:
150 Kms from Mumbai is a bit too less to smell the real fragrance of this movie. Its a must watch for any body who has ever been to Delhi.
posted 1 year, 2 months agomeetu:
No Aseem, seriously no. I met the man, and he is adorable. His movies, unfortunately, don’t seem to work for me. hanish and janhavi, i think that’s the problem. That i’m not aware of the ‘essence of Delhi’. But then, I am not a part of Romania and wasn’t even aware of what went on there in the 80s and yet a Romanian movie about one particular situation there is one of my favorites. Noopur, I found the individual scenes too repetitive. And, repetition is not something I’m fond of. varun, though I didn’t understand all of your comment, but in general seems like you were not too happy while walking out. and that’s important, the feeling you have while walking out. rajat, you got me wrong. I am acknowledging the fact that the movie was not intended to be funny. I didn’t want a ‘filmy’ story, all i wanted is a ’story’. A non-story with a gripping narrative style would do too.
posted 1 year, 2 months agoMovie buff :
The movie was simply outstanding. I think more than anything, the direction was superb. The background music was sparingly used. His portrayal of the real Delhi people and their mentality was a revelation coz being in Mumbai, I have never seen this side of Delhi
posted 1 year, 2 months agoAseem Behl :
Dibakar.B talks about OLLO in a candid chat with Amit Masurkar and Karan Makhija. He also defends his use of “flat narration” in OLLO, check it out Meetu!
posted 1 year, 2 months agoV. Ramanan:
I am unable to understand such a low rating for this cinema and frivolous way this review has been written. As a south indian having lived in Chandigarh/Delhi for 15 years, I was literally jumping with joy during the initial moments of the movie. I have personally witnessed many punjabis wanting to live well, sometimes more than their means would justify. I am not saying it in any derogatory sense. The narrative of the movie was superb. This is not all laughs. This is actually a thinking man's movie. If you come out without reflecting on the many subtle comments the director made, well, you can sit at home and see some inane stuff on the TV.
posted 1 year, 2 months agodev:
i actually quite liked this movie. different and phunne.
posted 1 year, 2 months agoparth:
too good
posted 1 year, 1 month agoV. Ramanan:
I am unable to understand such a low rating for this cinema and frivolous way this review has been written. As a south indian having lived in Chandigarh/Delhi for 15 years, I was literally jumping with joy during the initial moments of the movie. I have personally witnessed many punjabis wanting to live well, sometimes more than their means would justify. I am not saying it in any derogatory sense. The narrative of the movie was superb. This is not all laughs. This is actually a thinking man's movie. If you come out without reflecting on the many subtle comments the director made, well, you can sit at home and see some inane stuff on the TV.
posted 1 year, 1 month agolove:
wht a great movie maan....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! abhay rocks.....
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