Ek Chalis Ki Last Local poster

Ek Chalis Ki Last Local

wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list (?)

quick review:

It's a super-insane plot that is composed of absolutely eccentric sub-plots. However, a good dose of imaginative comedy is blemished by dark comedy that generally does not suit my taste. Overall, though the way the different plots are put together is original and is worthy of appreciation. The makers' courage deserves extra points.

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Director: Sanjay Khanduri
Running time: 135 minutes
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Noir, Thriller
More Movie Info

Don't let the video of the promotional song put you off. This is a brave directorial debut and most certainly not cheesily picturized. I am willing to take a bet that the said video was made by a completely different set of people - marketing MBAs in all likelihood. People, who for some reason think bright colors and half-naked women is the only thing that can get us to the theater.

Originality executed even reasonably well is so hard to come by, that if you spot one from a mile, it deserves enthusiastic support. The freshness lies in the way the vaguely familiar stories are sewn together. The clever dialogues giving company all along. The way the complex plot unfolds and transitions from one sub-plot to another without once taxing the brains of the viewer is enticing.

Sitting on the edge of the seat gives me a backache, otherwise that is what I would be doing through most of it. And just when you feel, "okay, one more sub-plot might make this whole thing go over-board", the movie ends. The writer had the balance just right. So, bonus marks just for the guts it takes to do something like this.

Of course, a perfect product is hard to come by too. So there are a few things amiss. The one that strikes the most is the lead pair's performance. They are not completely off, but don't have the whole range either - be it expressions, body language, voice modulation. And that nags through to the end. The supporting cast though, barring the shrieking vamp, gives creditworthy support. I also had issues with the unnecessarily tilted camera angle which was over-used to the verge of nausea in the first half.

Throughout the movie though, there were these little things that kept me in splits. Sound effects used to exaggerate the going-ons took the cake. Creative slapstick is welcome, especially if the dosage is really low. Similarly, the background music absolutely complemented the pace of the movie. Particularly, the car chases where Pulp-Fiction-inspired strings play - an apt tribute. In fact, a lot of the "style" looks like it is inspired/derived from Pulp Fiction.

The creativity with which some of the humor was infused in the story was brilliant. Alas, there is a largish measure of dark comedy that neither provoked nor tickled. It existed and thus it was watched. Thus, the comedy that works, works really well but is appalling when it's crude.

Interestingly, the pace was very much like riding on a Mumbai local train. Takes off slowly, gathers momentum, goes to top speed and stays there till the destination arrives where it slows down for a short while before the credits start rolling. If the symbolism was intentional, I thoroughly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek humor. But, was it worth the risk - having a thriller start off and land at a sluggish pace? A good 10 minutes out of the first half hour and another 5 minutes of the last 15-20 minutes could have been edited out. If the symbolism is a fabrication of my imagination - oh well, I deserve points for coming up with the analogy!

- meeta, a part of the audience

14 reviewers(?) - 7 yays 4 so-so 3 nays

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

Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...what happens or why isn’t as important as how...it’s extremely well shot and acted and put together... full review

Thumbs up, by Martin D'souza, Glamsham.com : ...Abhay Deol is first class. At the risk of being ridiculed, I’d bracket him in the same league as Kay Kay Menon... full review

Thumbs up, by Khalid Mohamed, Hindustan Times : ...director Khanduri displays a striking blow-hot-cool-attitude, raises guffaws and titters... full review

Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...The characters are straight out of life and the situations they land into are identifiable by those living in a metropolis... full review

Thumbs up, by Anurag Kashyap, Passion for Cinema : ...it’s the kind of film that almost never gets made,it takes courage for an actor to do a scene like what Abhay deol did in the climax... full review

Thumbs up, by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam : ...the film is flawless but the editing could have been better... full review

Thumbs up, by Satyajit, SmasHits.com : ...The film lacks impressive face value as the film boasts a new camaraderie of acting talents.... full review

So-So, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...Director Sanjay Khanduri’s debut effort is noteworthy but not laudable... full review

So-So, by Renuka Vyavahare, indiatimes : ...The woman (Neha Dhupia) has potential and confidence to act well but should just loosen up a bit in front of the camera to look natural... full review

So-So, by Abhijit Mhamunkar, indya.com : ...Sanjay raises hopes with a creatively shot title sequence but fails to structure a good narrative, despite having a hatke subject in his hand... full review

So-So, by Prachi Singh, MovieWalah : ...It is a totally plot driven movie... full review

Thumbs down, by Ashwini Gurbuxani, J.A.M : ...what screwed it up was the direction, rather the absence of it... full review

Thumbs down, by Vaibhav Wankhede, M TV : ...The movie is overall entertaining but overstays it's welcome and becomes a drag... full review

Thumbs down, by Tanveer Bookwala, Rediff : ...bizarre... 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

One day in the monsoons, Nilesh (Abhay Deol) wants to commute from Kurla to Vikhroli (Mumbai suburbs), but is stranded on the station because he missed the last train for the day. He has two and a half hours to kill. What transpires in those couple-plus hours is what you should try and catch in almost real-time.

What Worked

  • One of the first scenes - where Nilesh tries to catch the train but can't because of his jacket has been done really well.
  • The gag on "Main Hoon Na" had me in splits.
  • Abhay Deol's acting in the gambling scene.
  • The first kiss in a Hindi movie after a long time that did not make me squirm wanting them to stop.

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

  • Neha Dhupia overacting when she pretends to be crying - did not go with the tone of the movie at all.
  • The social message on prostitution looked very out of place too.
  • Why did Bajrang point gun at Ponappa? If he was a deserter, how come he was back in action towards the end?

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.

  • I always thought Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. Is Kurla station really so empty at around 1.30 - 2 am?
  • Is it so easy to light a fire when it has just rained? Maybe there was enough alcohol spillage for that to happen.
  • Does Abhay Deol have his super powers from his last movie? How come he dries up so easily? If he does, that is one weird super power to have.
  • Were Nilesh and Madhu walking around in circles? They came under the same banner "Kurla Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandir" twice. Okay, maybe there were two banners, but then the lighting, etc seemed the same too.
  • Was there any specific reason Nilesh was lusting at beer like an alcoholic?
  • Yuck!! How can anyone gulp down half a glass of beer at one go?!
  • The principal at the gambling table was behaving as if he had heard the rules of gambling for the first time, where as he is supposed to be a regular customer.
  • In the chase scene in the jungle, the characters are shown running one after the other. And in the next scene they are shown passing through a spot in the reverse order.
  • Neha Dhupia's hair is flying in a jungle when not a single leaf is moving in the vicinity.

Ek Chalis Ki Last Local - Cast, crew, links

Producer:
Cinematography:
Editor:
Action Choreography:
Art Direction:
Running time:
135 minutes
Reviewer:
Language:
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Comments (10)

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hey...nice review...i was unsure whether to watch this movie or not....but hv somewhat encouraged me to watch this one...
nywayz always looking forward to ur reviews..

Thanks vaibhav! As you can see from the "To Each His Own" section there are very mixed reactions to the movie. Let me know what you think once you have seen it.

yeah,ill tell when i watch it ,probally in 2-3 days...but i am not such grea reviewer so ill tell u just how was it..

Hey Ashish, thanks for the advice. And in any case, kids should certainly be left behind for this one.

Sure vaibhav, your reaction will certainly add to the discussion.

thanks for the advice aashish,i was thinking to go wid ma dad and mom,bt now ill call upon my freinds.....just watched metro..again ma advice pls dnt watch wid ur family....though gr8 movie,fun o wach wid ur buddies..

I'll probably catch this one on DVD.

just caught this movie yesterday,disapointed they didnt show that laree choote song(i went to see that song actually),othrwise it was fun..

Greattt movie... and yes you are right that it must have been made by a different kind of people... Intelligent people that is...

The last scene was so hilarious... And I think Abhay Deol was perfect for this role... He is not a great actor but just says the lines as he would normally do... But the role just needed a dumbo like him

Hello,
I saw this movie last night. It is a very good movie and i absolutely enjoyed it.
It was funny and very well done. What interested me the most that it was different than the same old comedy films as there is loads of over acting and stupid scenes. The movie was unpredictable and had my attention right till the end.
I give this movie a big thumbs up!!!! and cant wait to see sanjay Khanduri's next film.
Thanks
Trushita Patel

this movie was cool. i liked the songs very much. hats off

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