Wake Up Sid
wogma rating: Beg or borrow, but do watch (?) - Chick-flick warning!
Opposites attact, they say. But even the opposites had something similar that keep them together, for each other, and maybe even for ever. Similarities or differences - celebrate whatever it is that is the cause of your love. A chick flick that's not only for chicks.
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The whiff of the Arabian Sea. You smell it. The first few drops of rain on your sweating forehead. You sense them. The love that only a Mumbaikar can express for his city. You feel it. I'm getting all romantic on you. You dread it. But what do I do when I see two people just be so comfortable on screen - as characters and as actors. Not necessarily romantically in the "more than friends" sort-of a way. But romantically as two individuals who react and interact.
So, you got that? The number of times "romantic" and its derivatives have been repeated so far should indicate that you, the young lads, should already be planning that dinner date after the perfect date movie. And chicks, go watch this flick. The older generation on the other hand could empathize with the parents in the film.
Sid is a normal, college-going kid - neither the superstar of his college, nor the super-buffoon. Neither the teenage heartthrob nor the class dunce. He's carefree and proud of it. Aisha is serious and knows what she wants. Her practicality is not an exaggeration, nor is it understated - a regular, motivated girl. Their contrasts - evident. Their similarities - to be deciphered.
The first sequence in the film tells you this film is going take its own time to develop and unfold. And by the last sequence you know there isn't much unfolding to be done (except t-shirts and kurtis). The story is half-a-line and yet I'm going to be feel hurt on behalf of the makers if the audience complained, "there was no story!" At times when the movie goes deeper, it doesn't need too many words to describe the story.
And the more time I spent with Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) and Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma), the more I wanted to know them. It felt better to see screen time being spent on the niceties of their relationship. It was good to see them grow closer to and fonder of each other. Aaawww…that's what friendships should be like. And then I was deprived of more. And I was hurt when one was oblivious to the other's emotions just to satisfy the hunger for drama. Whether it’s the maker's hunger or the audience's - I do not know. But annoyed I was, to see the twosome that got me into their drawing room, throw me out by their out-of-character, ignorant behavior. Those two, who were candid, lucid and were supposed to be best of friends until a few minutes ago.
Then there were the couple of side characters who were there just to throw in a punch. Anything to do with Karan Johar has to have some angle of parental love and associated dramatic moments. Whether or not they belong. And they do not belong here. Especially when you realize one of them has been caricatured just for that one punch line. The lines which were fine until then and later too. Smartly used by thinking and sensitive characters. And suddenly it's spoilt by one on-the-face line. While these individual characters didn't work, most of the interconnected relationships were well-developed with just a scene or two. But whatever bit the dialogue-writer lacked, was made up in the way the two protagonists were created.
Of course, kudos to the two actors, one maturing, and one who looks like she was born with fully-developed acting skills. The maturing Ranbir Kapoor will, I guess, be the industry's first candidate for the puppy-look, innocent boy. And yet not boy-next door. I enjoyed bits of their performances more because of how up-close I saw their expressions. Similarly there is this whole list of things that add value due to their absence. And top on my list is the conscious decision of not having that pause, that moment of awkwardness between a boy and a girl because of that hug, that touch. Its handled delicately and with finesse.
We were just getting used to a superficial attitude of making a film about the woman protagonist, but end up seeing the man claim glory. This one is equally Ranbir's and Konkona's. Yes, even though the title of the film contains the protagonist's name.
For a long-long time I've been watching out for a Hindi romantic film where the story is about the lead pair. That's it. Their emotions, their turmoil and nothing else. Love Aaj Kal was close and Wake Up Sid comes even closer. I guess some background noise is inevitable to satisfy our need-more-masala palettes. But, we are growing up as an audience and it's so heartening to see our masala-chef production houses walk hand-in-hand with us.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Amodini, Amodini's Movie Reviews : ...He takes this basic coming-of-age story and infuses it with humor, charm, and some very moving familial touches... full review
Thumbs up, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA : ...What is interesting about ‘WUS’ is that neither does it make a caricature of any of the characters, nor does it get too serious.... full review
Thumbs up, by N K Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma, two of the best talents in the new crop of actors, live their parts... full review
Thumbs up, B4U TV : ...It has a constant flow throughout; no over the top or understated drama; no ultra emotional strangulation of viewers; absolutely no yuppie cool guy act; and last but not the least, this is an original and energizing tale.... full review
Thumbs up, by Roshni Mulchandani, Bolly Spice : ... Watch out for the scenes between Sid and his mother; they're incredibly shot as it changes from one of repulse to respect. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...The first hour, right till the intermission, sweeps you off your feet. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 : ...Wake Up Sid does not go in for an out-and-out humourous take on Ranbir's character. Neither does it give long, melodramatic sermons. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Deep, Deep's Home : ...it can be called as a common plot too but hell with it, the story was presented and narrated very well.. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA : ...Mukerji still has some way to go as a writer, but his film demonstrates promising skills as a director. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Aniruddha Guha, DNA : ...Wake Up Sid, the directorial debut of Ayan Mukerjee, is almost lacklustre until the interval... full review
Thumbs up, by full2faltu, Full2 Faltu : ...How a gorl from Kolkatta can afford a house in Bandra and paint and decorate it with no job in hand. I guess the answer would be cinematic liberties. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Jaiwantika Dutta-Dhupkar, fullhyd.com : ...In terms of style, Wake Up Sid is different from several of Dharma Productions' (the Karan Johar company) films, and debutante Ayan Mukherji has his own distinct touch.... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Ranbir Kapoor has the charm of Rishi Kapoor and the sexiness of his mother Neetu Kapoor.... full review
Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times : ...belongs to a sweet genre... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Wake Up Sid might be described as a PG-13 version of a coming-of-age film what with its protagonist showing no signs of sexual awakening or romantic leanings at all.... full review
Thumbs up, by Kaveree Bamzai, india today : ...why does Rahul Khanna have to keep acting as the spare wheel in every relationship? ... full review
Thumbs up, by Mihir Fadavanis, india.com : ...Anupam Kher makes a strong impression... full review
Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...The simplicity of Ayan Mukerji’s writing is what appeals to the viewer.... full review
Thumbs up, Indicine : ...Konkana Sen Sharma is good yet again. Frankly, she doesn’t need dialogues, her eyes and facial expressions do the trick... full review
Thumbs up, by Ahinsa Kumari, merinews : ...narrates a story that you can relate to instantly and treats it with extreme care... full review
Thumbs up, by Ashish Gharde, MH-31 Fun Unlimited : ...Shankar-Ehsaan-Loys music is mediocre. Barring the title song and Iktara, the compositions are strictly average.... full review
Thumbs up, by Sarita Tanwar, MiD DAY : ...Sid's problems are real; his handling of them is real, as is his approach in overcoming them. ... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ... This movie is a refreshing change from the stereo type Bollywood movies and easily falls into the genre of the new age cinema... full review
Thumbs up, by Darshit, Movies Music and Me : ...Lakshya meets Taare Zameen Par meets Rock On meets Luck By Chance.... full review
Thumbs up, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ... No one else could have handled these roles with such dexterity and charm. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Joginder Tuteja, Now Running.com : ...doesn't just bring a turnaround in Sid's character by throwing a song to bring in that 'overnight transformation'.... full review
Thumbs up, by RK, Passion for Cinema : ...In most of the intense scenes between Aisha and Sid, being elder Aisha is able to catch the right message of a moment earlier than Sid as he has little or no idea at that moment... full review
Thumbs up, by Gaurang, Passion for Cinema : ...Ayan Mukherjee comes across as a normal simple good guy. He is probably an adolescent Farhan Akhtar. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Lidia Ostepeev, Planet Bollywood : ...The film’s strength lies in drawing out points of contact - authentic moments of distilled emotion that connoisseurs of Bollywood romance appreciate.... full review
Thumbs up, by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam : ...the directorial debut of a young director Ayan Mukherji and is worth applauding. ... full review
Thumbs up, real bollywoood : ... Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy is fresh but Dev.D composer Amit Trivedi one song in the film ‘Ektaara’ is the one you come out humming.... full review
Thumbs up, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Ayan's Sid appears to be an amalgamation of all of the three leading men in DCH. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Janhvi Patel, StarBoxOffice : ...WUS is a slice-of-life film which is filled with wonderful, spontaneous and original moments... full review
Thumbs up, by K K Rai, STARDUST : ...Namit Das, who plays the character of Rishi (Sid’s friend) in the film, looks perfect in the role.... full review
Thumbs up, by Raghav Ramaiah, Talking Popcorns : ...Dharma Productions have always lived up to the expectations and this time around its no different... full review
Thumbs up, by Nova, The World As I See It : ...The story was another plus for the movie.... full review
Thumbs up, by Avijit Ghosh, Times of India : ...The change in the tenor of relationship between the lead pair as well as the texture of their own changing selves is detailed with diligence, delineated with tenderness... full review
Thumbs up, by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall : ...Few actors are as natural and carefree in front of the camera like Ranbir Kapoor and he captures every mood and shade of his character with total confidence... full review
Thumbs up, by SpiceZee Bureau, Zee News : ...A catchy soundtrack adds to the USP of the film... full review
So-So, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...It has all the weight of a television commercial showing sad people transforming into happy people in the course of thirty seconds,... full review
So-So, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ... The bigger problem is that the crisis of the characters never feels sufficiently awful or urgent. ... full review
So-So, by Subhasish Chakraborty, Passion for Cinema : ...Why the movie works is because for the most part the movie stays believable, realistic and likable... full review
So-So, by Pankaj Shukla, SmasHits.com : ...As a debutant director Ayan Mukherjii has passed his first examination. But, he certainly cannot claim to be a fine storyteller. ... full review
So-So, by Neha Viswanathan, Within / Without : ...One thing that annoys me constantly when I watch films about Bombay/ Mumbai (there I’ve got both versions), is their inability to deal with Bombay as a city rather than just the piece of land right next to Marine Drive.... full review
Thumbs down, by Blogeswari, Blogeswari : ...Had I spent my own money watching a dud like this the tone of this review would have headed elsewhere.... full review
Thumbs down, by Bobby, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...However, the movie has its moments with few worth watching scenes representing the current generation.... full review
Thumbs down, by Kaushik Chatterjee, Desicritics : ...She, like the aforementioned veteran actors, try to salvage what they can but there's only so much you can do to save a straw hut in the eye of a hurricane... full review
Thumbs down, SearchIndia.com : ...None of the songs had any life in them.... full review
Thumbs down, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...Even before she finds work, the home is rented out. ... full review
Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Plot Summary
A boy and a girl are the best of friends. They are contrasts and they need each other to discover the other half in them.
What Worked
- That the other people in Sid-Aisha's life were not complete duds. They had a fair chance too.
What did not
- The music and the songs. Too much of the same tune running throughout the film.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: None
- Language: Clean
- Nudity & Sexual content: A few pub dances. A scene or two with girls talking casually about sex.
- Concept: Friendship.
- General Look and Feel: Nice and bright though not too many song and dance routines. Not a heavy film.
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Comments (9)
Hi,
I saw the film yesterday. Wake up Sid, is not a film that gives lecture to the youngsters to do something in life. Its a story(?) about a guy, a simple, guy and his friendship. how a friend can teach to be responsible, be serious. its story about a son, a i dont care attitude, with life, with career, n even with parents!!
Ranbir was awesome. He just bring the screen alive. Audience just smile looking at him. he's so fresh!! Konkana was as we expected just what she is best at!! She performs brilliantly. The relation of Sid and Aisha is shown so simple, subtle.
kudos to Ayaan!! The movie just goes on smoothly. some small incidences, make the movie more intersting (b'day celebration, Meeting with naupam in his office) etc. . . .
The review is a wee bit confusing, Meetu. I was hoping for a Yes, go for it! or a No, dump it! answer. But I guess some movies aren't that simple. I am a little confused by the mentions of chick-flick (which usually a guy wouldn't like) and the associations of maturity (I've yet to see a chick-flick that delivered on that).
Incidentally I'm going for the movie today afternoon and I'll tell you what I think of it, once done.
Okay, I saw the movie and now I get it. Your review is a bang on. The movie gave me some food for thought - and a post of course!
Hi Sudhindra - glad you liked it. there were little things i thoroughly enjoyed. And some that I thought could've been avoided. There were others that I thought were completely missing. But overall I enjoyed the film.
Idea! I was waiting for you to watch the film. Your post on it is awesome too!
watched it on Colours TV and just loved it....
read your review and agree with most of it....I am saying it again that your writing style is pretty different from other movie reviews
@Adam My bad! Will take much better care next time.
@Navin thanks!
the movie gave me some food for thought - and a post of course!
The review is a wee bit confusing, Meetu. I was hoping for a Yes, go for it! or a No, dump it! answer. But I guess some movies aren't that simple. I am a little confused by the mentions of chick-flick
@freelance writing really? It is a chick-flick that's "go for it".
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