Review - Fox: slyest thing around but half-cunning it is

Fox

wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list ^(?)

quick review:

You kind-of know where the plot is going but you still want to know how you get there. That has value in itself though it doesn't really demand your seat to be on the edge.

Director: Deepak Tijori

Cast: Arjun Rampal, Sagarika Ghatge, Sunny Deol

Running time: 110 minutes

Genres: Crime

More Movie Info

Fox is the writer-director's angst against unethical lawyers and could extend to any profession that is meant to help the common man but is most likely used to save the minority - rich. An awesome concept that could lead to a social awakening and all that jazz, but that's not the intention here. It saves us the lectures and turns it into a story which unfortunately is far-fetched and leaves some important questions unanswered.

While Fox has one of the best cliffhangers at interval, the film is still largely predictable. And that is a little because of the way it's written and more because of the costumes, make-up, background music, camerawork, etc. And that is a huge bummer.

There are some parts of the writing which work, like the going is not easy for the protagonists. They are as flabbergasted by the turn of events as the audience and trying whatever they can. But, it also has the usual lapses in character sketches where a smart character very conveniently turns naïve.

Arjun Rampal (Arjun Kapoor) plays a self-absorbed lawyer. Though Kapoor's dilemma in the beginning comes a little too quick, Rampal convincingly looks both agitated and at peace when Kapoor needs to be. There's nothing very new for Sunny Deol (Crime Branch officer, Yashwant Deshmukh) to do, so he goes through the drill mustering up all the interest he can.

Sagarika Ghatge (Arjun's girlfriend, Urvashi) and Udita Goswami (a leading publisher, Sophie) have token roles and are made to arrive and depart from the screen at will. That both Sophie and Urvashi are required to wear as revealing clothes as possible irrespective of whether they are at work or in a police station, tells us why they are in this script.

Sure, Fox is not completely smart or well-thought out, but a murder suspense that doesn't have money and 100% revenge as the killer's motivation deserves some plus points.

- meeta, a part of the audience

18 reviewers^(?) - 2 yays 5 so-so 11 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Prarthna Tiwari, Bolly Spice : ...Fox is one of those "makes you think "movies that deals with morals, powers, passion and crime.... full review

So-So, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...with his hero not twitching a muscle, he perhaps decided that at least the camera should be allowed to get away with a scenery-chewing masala-movie performance.... full review

So-So, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...The basic concept of the film is fairly imaginative but could have been more riveting if supported by smarter writing and slicker direction, both credited to Deepak Tijori... full review

So-So, by Joginder Tuteja, Now Running.com : ... What mars the narrative though is that the production values are below average for a project that has stars like Sunny and Arjun.... full review

So-So, by Esha Razdan, real bollywoood : ...Nigam Bomzan’s cinematography gets full marks... full review

So-So, by Sameer Dagga, StarBoxOffice : ...As the story continues, the plot struggles to keep pace. It has multiple layers, each in turn adding to the confusion. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA : ...Another annoying part about ‘Fox’ is its camera work. ... full review

Thumbs down, Apun Ka Choice : ...'Fox’ does pack in a few interesting sequences.... full review

Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, aslibaat.com : ...Technically passable, the music is ditto. The direction could have done with much more style and snap.... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'souza, Glamsham.com : ...That is bad make-up which the director tries to hide with long shots.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mihir Fadnavis, india.com : ...Performances are borderline passable as Arjun Rampal tries his level best to keep a straight face in this silly movie... full review

Thumbs down, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ... the conclusion lacks fizz. ... full review

Thumbs down, Indicine : ...Dont ever watch it, not even on TV.... full review

Thumbs down, Movie Talkies : ...On the face of it, 'Fox' has a fairly decent story. But in the hands of Tijori, most of the suspense and mystery element goes out of the window.... full review

Thumbs down, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ...The big reveal at the end is likely to draw more laughs than gasps. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Rediff : ...Run away... full review

Thumbs down, by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall : ...What made actors like Sunny Deol and Arjun Rampal take up this idiotic film, which is easily the nadir of their careers?... full review

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This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Warning: this section has some details that could distort your experience while watching the movie. I strongly recommend reading this only after you have seen the movie or if you have decided not to see it.

Plot Summary

Arjun Kapoor (Arjun Rampal) aka Criminal's messiah is a criminal lawyer who is frustrated with his tag and wants to do the right thing. Will he be able to?

What did not

Note: This section simply lists the things that I did not like in this movie. This is not the overall impression about this movie. Please read the full review here

The whole murder-chase in the opening. While it was necessary for the set-up, what was the time/venue stamp for?
And did the guy really run from Malad to Versova?
Do the newspapers really carry headlines like "messiah of criminals" so openly? Or is that a comment on the judiciary system. Didn't work, nevertheless.
Arjun Kapoor's dilemma was a little unconvincing, needed a little more establishment. Maybe some doubts on his face while we see the headlines.
Is the accused allowed into the bar council hearing, and is it held immediately?
The disguises didn't work at all.
How come Udita disappears?
Are officers' cabins in crime branches so plush?
Titles are wannabe cool.
Yellow pages for a citizen's name search? It should have been the white pages or the phone directory. To top it off they are not even looking it up in the yellow pages.

Nitty-Gritty

This section lists things that I think are not important to the overall impact of the movie. In most cases, it could be explained away by something like, "we noticed the glitch after the scene was shot and there were schedule/budget issues and thus we could not re-shoot it". I like giving the makers the benefit of doubt, but I am amused nevertheless. Hopefully, they will tickle you too.

Sarika Ghatge wearing a beige slip under a pink, deep-necked dress. Looked awful and an obvious tussle between the dress designer and the actor.
Is there a Moshe's in Goa's crossword too? Sure that was not the South Mumbai Crossword?

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Mentions murders.
Language: Clean.
Nudity & Sexual content: Mention of rape. Mild seduction. Liberal display of cleavage.
Concept: Right vs. Wrong. Revenge, cheating, abuse of law.
General Look and Feel: It’s a serious film with a crime-related story line. Has songs every once in a while.