It's Breaking News

wogma rating: Watch but no rush ^(?)

quick review:

A woman centric storyline is always a welcome change. Especially when the lead ladies stand up to the tall task. Unfortunately though every once in a while the script digresses into a subplot and thus loses focus.

Director: Vishal Inamdar

Cast: Swati Sen, Koel Puri

Running time: 120 minutes

Genres: Crime, Social

More Movie Info

It’s really exciting that new things are being tried. One obvious by-product of the process is that good directors, actors, music composers, lyricists are getting the visibility they deserve. Even if this particular movie is not necessarily the best cinema produced, it is just refreshing because of the subject matter chosen.

Scripts revolving around women deserve brownie points anyway. Why? Because they are bound to be different considering there are such few made. This script, like many others, addresses the problems of the “system” that runs the country. The contemporary touch that it gives the context makes it a gripping watch.

Unfortunately a great chance to have insightful dialogues is lost. And it's not like the silences are used well. Also, ultimately, it is a message movie. But, the message seems to be geared towards the media. How many takers are there for a message that specific?

Also, there are digressions. One sub-plot used to establish the tone of the movie is too long. And another one, though necessary, is too rushed. Other minor digressions could have been entirely avoided (e.g., those alluding to characters' love lives). Also, there were a couple loose ends that either should have been entirely left out, or should have been given closure.

Koena Puri and Swati Sen are brilliant actors and it would be a shame if they don’t get such meaty characters to play in the future too. Swati shook me from within, in one of the scenes. The other actors are at best average. Most of them had monotonous, lifeless dialogue delivery.

Though the music isn't extraordinary, the lyrics are awesome. And, the background score breaking into "It's breaking news" is a nag.

Unfortunately, outstanding acting by the lead ladies will not be enough to cover the flaws in the details of the script. And this is despite an overall interesting plot. How I wish, it was marketed a little better, so at least a few more people would know about it.

- meeta, a part of the audience

8 reviewers^(?) - 1 yays 2 so-so 5 nays

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

Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...But it is Koel Purie that impresses the most in her portrayal as a television journalist.... full review

So-So, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...While the first hour is involving and rarely loses the grip, the second hour is problematic... full review

So-So, by Hanumant Bhansali, Radio Sargam : ...Director Vishal Inamdar shows his potential of a fine storyteller. With a little more experience, he should come out with a better grip on his script.... full review

Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Exaggerated to the point of being embarrassing, the characters and the situations in this film are way over-the-top, which brings me to the one burning question I want to ask the film's director - would just a little research have hurt?... full review

Thumbs down, by Amit R Agarwal, merinews : ...here are very many sequences where the reaction shots just don’t match a scene’s mood.... full review

Thumbs down, by D Morgan, Rediff : ...The performances coupled with mediocre dialogue, will just not let the audience accept the reality that the film is trying to portray.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...MOTIVE'S right, movie isn't... full review

Thumbs down, Upper Stall : ...the two central characters Keol Purie as the upright Vidya Sehgal and Swati Sen as the victim Sangeeta try hard and do what they can but its hardly enough.... full review

Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.

1 readers - 0 yays 1 so-so 0 nays

So-So, by Consumer Goods

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

Plot Summary

Vidya (Koel Puri) is a news reporter who is given charge of the crime department in her TV Channels. She thus organizes sting operations. She wants to stick to her ideologies and also gets emotionally involved in one such operation.

What Worked

The sarcastic take on the news coverage that the entertainment industry gets.
Using a woman as the defense lawyer for Gupta was a great move.
The style in which Vidya's memories overlapped with the scene in which she is taking a shower. Excellent visuals

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

What happened to the witness whose testimonial would change the course of the case? Granted the turn that the story takes does not need him/her. Was he/she mentioned just for effect, or to keep curiosity live? If so, that is a cheap tactic!
The comedy in the celebration bash was so unnecessary, not to mention, not at all funny.
Whatever happened to the DVs that Vidya picked up. It came across as they were the same DVs that her friend, Trishna was looking for.
The build-up towards Bala showing Vidya what the first news on his channel was going to be - got irritating. Especially because it did not go with the tone of the rest of the movie.

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.

The minister's daughter who is being interviewed by Vidya, does not even move an inch in panic when the door to her room opens (this is when Rafique the cameraman enters)
The suspense thriller style background music in the scene where Vidya is taking a shower.