Miss Lovely
wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)
Bold and brave, yes. Engaging, unfortunately no.
Read more
Miss Lovely - takes you into a world you can live without going into - the sleazy world of "horror" films that are intended to titillate. A world of two brothers making such films - one who wants to move on to porn films and the other who wants to make a clean, romantic one. It is an uncomfortable ambiance and very intentionally so. Which is fine, only that it overtly tries to go all "art-house" cinema on you.
Flitting between showing you the behind-the-scenes of B/C grade films and the inner angst of a crew member whose heart isn't into it, Miss Lovely's writing doesn't do justice to either the plot or its characters.
Sure, I admit, I am not the biggest fan of B-C-D grade films, so the theme of the film itself isn't as appealing. On the other hand, I am always ready to travel with a character, whatever its background. But, Miss Lovely, denies me that. And that's more frustratingly than usual because it didn't have to do much to hook me in.
It has the most brilliant performances and the setting is as real as it gets. It has quirks that catch you smiling wryly at the dark humor. It is commendable indeed, that with a theme such as the porn world, the movie doesn't get too graphic. Given all of that, I am ready to let go of the typical elements the film engages in - the jealous dying "star", the clamoring of struggling actors who can stoop to any levels to land a role in a film, and so on.
What the writing fails to understand is that with a setting that is far removed from our real worlds, it becomes ever so important to engage the viewer either in the narrative or with the characters.
One thing that troubles me with films is when the camera gets over-excited. I understand the hand-held jitters bring out the confusion on screen - both apparent and inner, but the impact on me is lost when its overdone. In fact, in this one the hand-held sequences are done with close-ups that ironically distance you from what's going on in the film.
That's the root there, the connect - which isn't there. Certainly a downer, for a film that wants you to experience, rather than just superficially know. Yet, you cannot take away from the fact, that it is brave indeed to make a film like Miss Lovely.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Anna MM Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...Ashim Ahluwalia’s direction of his debut fiction feature is unhesitant and sure-footed. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Subhash K. Jha, Apun Ka Choice : ...Miss Lovely" takes Indian cinema to another level. The view may not be pretty but it is unfailingly provocative and exhilarating. This film is not for the squeamish... full review
Thumbs up, by Katherine Matthews, Bolly Spice : ...In the end, Miss Lovely, aesthetically pleasing and unsettling at the same time, remains an uneasy film about an uneasy subject.... full review
Thumbs up, by Alissa Simon, Bollywood Life : ...The exploitation films within the film are handled discreetly, with their titles and taglines more lurid than anything shown onscreen.... full review
Thumbs up, by Tushar Joshi, DNA : ...Miss Lovely is heartfelt , entertaining and technically superb. Watch it for its performances and a sneak peek into the dark abyss of the smut films of the 80's... full review
Thumbs up, by Swayamsrestha Kar, fullhyd.com : ...Watching Miss Lovely is hard work. Not because it is bad. But because it is rather good, and in a very different way than what we are accustomed to. Bring your thinking caps... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza,, Glamsham.com : ...MISS LOVELY is art-house cinema at its best. Dark, deceitful and diabolic. The movie ventures into the commercial world of sex, X-rated movies and the business behind it... full review
Thumbs up, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...And yet I recommend that you see Miss Lovely. Yes, it is an acquired taste. But Ashim Ahluwalia’s distinct and intriguing voice is one more sign of how fundamentally and excitingly the Hindi film topography is changing.... full review
Thumbs up, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...Films like Miss Lovely are a diminishing species. Brimming with an extravagant concept, the film is made with poise as it captures the dark world of sleaze and horror.... full review
Thumbs up, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...Sure Miss Lovely isn't for everyone, but if you're truly a cinephile, you should have no difficulty in finding merit in this layered, moody piece. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...But for filmgoers who love cinema that pushes and prods them into new directions, no matter how baffling, Miss Lovely is bound to be a memorable treat... full review
Thumbs up, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...Miss Lovely is boastfully sleazy, extremely courageous and sassily gritty. The movie deserves to be watched and encouraged.... full review
Thumbs up, by Paloma Sharma, Rediff : ...The one good thing about watching Miss Lovely is that now when I tell people that I've watched it, they might mistake me for an intellectual. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Janhavi Samant, Star Blockbuster : ...Definitely must see.... full review
Thumbs up, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ...It deserves to be watched and lauded by one and all... full review
Thumbs up, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...A true blue independent film! Nawazuddin shines through this amoral world. When his eyes are at play you don’t need the dialogues. Anil George is an interesting find and so is Niharika Singh. She is again someone, whose eyes are an asset. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Rahul Desai, Upper Stall : ...The filmmaker in me was nourished to great extent. The viewer in me is still a bit dazed. Was I truly engaged or entertained? ... full review
Thumbs up, by IANS, Zee News : ...‘Miss Lovely’ takes Indian cinema to another level. The view may not be pretty but it is unfailingly provocative and exhilarating. This film is not for the squeamish.... full review
So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...But on second thoughts, it is also a two way process based on the concept of ‘give & take’……… so you rarely see anyone complaining?... full review
So-So, Bollywood Hungama : ... On the whole, MISS LOVELY is worth a watch for its taut screenplay, fine performances and the detailing that has gone into recreating the bygone era... full review
So-So, by Rony D'costa, Desi Martini : ...Miss Lovely has so much in it to admire but so little to like. ... full review
So-So, by Deepanjana Pal, FirstPost : ...Miss Lovely moves slowly, unravelling like real life.... full review
So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...It's an unconventional watch, recreating the sleazy side of Mumbai with seedy characters... full review
So-So, by Suhani Singh, india today : ...Ahluwalia in all the squalor finds beauty and weaves an affecting narrative... full review
So-So, by Namrata Joshi, Outlook India : ...Nawaz, with those pain-filled eyes and a beautifully broken face, breathes life into the traumatised Sonu. Other new and unfamilar actors also catch the eye, be it Zeena as Poonam, Niharika as Pinky or Menaka as Nadia. The most compelling presence, however, is Anil George as the flashy, florid, ambitious and rapacious elder brother Vicky, in whom I also spotted a faint touch of Vijay Anand.... full review
So-So, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ...The film is stylishly sleazy, that's what works for it. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Deccan Chronicle : ...By contrast, 'Miss Lovely' is just a load of xxx-cess. Skip!... full review
Thumbs down, by Nikhil Arora, Desi Martini : ...Miss Lovely is not so lovely and misses the mark completely ... full review
Thumbs down, by Rohit Penumatsa, Desi Martini : ... for those into roofs and trees ... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...Miss Lovely, on the other hand, works only in parts because it tries too hard to ‘be’ the film, rather than expose its sordidness.... full review
Thumbs down, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...This film is mainly for those who have the time and are willing to try something different from the run-of-the-mill... full review
Thumbs down, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...But what’s the point when viewer keeps getting disconnected from the story and characters? In the case of Miss Lovely, the subject and style is far more absorbing than the film. Too bad, really! ... full review
walkingmandar: "Miss Lovely is excellent." - Arvinder Singh Lovely
VishaalVermaa: You will not forget Miss Lovely ever. Excellent. What a vision this guy Ashim Ahluwalia had for Miss Lovely.... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=643674639007623
Subhash_ati9: 'Miss Lovely' couldn't get a distributor till Nawazzuddin got famous. Watch this movie. It's got standing ovations worldwide.
shubhaS: Nawazuddin's brilliance in Miss Lovely has to be seen to be believed. Watch the film.
sachinchatte: Better late than never, Miss Lovely is here. Not faultless but an A class tribute to the B grade films of yore.
reallybadhairda: miss lovely is lovely.
NotSoSnob: so dont Miss it :) RT @reallybadhairda miss lovely is lovely.
NiteshSquare: Miss Lovely is in Cinema now! Go watch it guys. A film which makes you face real life in good way. DO not miss @N1har1kaS1ngh's performance!
nishantkavi: Miss Lovely ★★★★
kpscombine: एक अच्छी मूवी http://nbt.in/micron/redirect.html?str=OObJuY
jeetbasu: 'Miss lovely' is brutally honest on the face cinema...though i think the film's pace was slightly slow in the second half..but must watch!!
HitheshDS: Miss Lovely is like Boogie Nights but not as good as that one but definitely very very good
DIRECTOR_speaks: Only films like 'Miss Lovely' keep me interested in Cinema... Tired and sick of 'Feel Good' and pretentious Films....
Devs3: Saw Miss Lovely. So sleazy that it'll make u cringe but that's what the story is about. Very well shot, brilliant acting. Not every1's cuppa
BollywoodF: Film review: 'Miss Lovely' is heartfelt and technically superb
AnilAy4134: miss lovely ke liye congrets.................niharika singh .................tourism colony patel nagar dehradun.
AmitYad22036000: 'Miss Lovely' is heartfelt and technically superb & the cast is remarkable and the film is rich in its material.
1yrold: Miss lovely is such a fabulous film, sure in a good way. Brilliant direction, the recreation of that period. And performances.
_sabari: miss lovely. take a bow. what a movie.
varunvarghese: 2nd half of Miss Lovely does bring some respite.
chink_ster: Masterful recreation of the seedy '80s in Miss Lovely. Just wish they had had more fun with the world. #couldawouldashoulda
Sholoana1: Miss Lovely is the world’s first ‘A’ grade film with a ‘C’ grade backdrop! http://sholoanabangaliana.in/blog/2014/01/18/miss-lovely-is-the-worlds-first-a-grade-film-with-a-c-grade-backdrop/#ixzz2qkbK9Iz0
pranayzodiac7: I went to miss lovely to see the workings of c grade filmmaking and a solid story, but was dissapointed by confused direction and no details
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: A prison inmate being beaten up by the police and scenes implying that a person was beaten up real bad.
- Language: Lots of abusive language
- Nudity & Sexual content: The film is about porn films. So, lots of sleaze even if explicit content isn't all out there.
- Concept: Behind the scenes of the Hindi porn/sex-horror film industry in the 80s.
- General Look and Feel: Gritty and grim.
![[YouTube channel of Miss Lovely]](/static/images/icons/youtube_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Miss Lovely]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Miss Lovely]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Nawazuddin Siddiqui twitter account]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (5)
I wonder if I'd like this movie better than you did, Meetu - though I suspect most of my US Indian cinema fans wouldn't enjoy it, either. As a fan of low-budget/schlock movies, a behind-the-scenes look at how they're done in India would probably really appeal to me if it's remotely accurate.
Might be worth a rental.
This is a brilliant cinematic piece of art! A realistic dark & disturbing movie which despite making u depressed and sick,will definitely give u something to ponder over. Much unlike "dumbed down" versions of art cinema like Dedh Ishqiya and Dhobi Ghat! And even though this one's gonna flop,it ain't making a difference since its hardly got any investment riding on it.
@TimELiebe Give it a shot. It's very different from your regular *masala* :)
Last Year’s most famous non commercial low budget movies are THE LUNCHBOX , SHAHID AND BA PASS.....
Among these The lunchbox was awsome and Shahid was just behund awsome,,,,,for BA PASS its so so but was not a bore.....
Miss lovely also falls in the same cataogory,,,,but for me the movie doesnt give me a single moment for not being bored,,,,such a bad screenplay,,,,its doesnt creat any curiousness in mind to think what will happen next....Just for siddique’s performance this movie is cant be watched
@Anup - thank you for the quick list of "art house hits" this year. We're definitely going to try THE LUNCHBOX, because it sounds like the kind of "small" movie we Americans would enjoy.
Leave a Comment