Naqaab
wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)
It is a shame that another brilliant concept has been flushed down the drain because of half-baked attempts at narrating and acting. The product comes across as tacky because of the constant shuffle between comedy, unintentional comedy, a few extra-predictable scenes, and unexpected plot twists.
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As a movie buff I would watch this movie just for the creative concept. Unfortunately, however, it does not get support from any of the other departments. Also, it’s a shame that while the overall plot is imaginative, way too many individual scenes are so clichéd that you can say what's going to happen next with your eyes, ears and brains shut.
As any thriller should, the movie moves at a remarkably fast pace and before you know it you are watching the interval previews. And thus no time is wasted on character development, detailing or consistency. Also the actors playing these characters don't help the cause. Barring Akshaye Khanna, the rest of the ensemble either drone to make you sleep or shriek to wake you up. And it isn't Akshaye's best performance either. Part of the credit for lousy acting and characterization should also go to the ridiculous dialogues.
They seemed to have had a hard time trying to decide whether this should have been a comedy or a suspense thriller. I am willing to take a bet that it would have been a much better product if they had chosen one and just stuck by it. Mixing the two has done irreparable damage to it. Especially since the thrilling twists and turns, very unintentionally, make you laugh and the juvenile comedy makes you grit your teeth in anger. And the back and forth manipulations in the second half become a tad too exhausting for the viewer.
The saving grace is that the director of photography, the editor, and the sound designer have shown considerable restraint. Given the locales and the subject of the movie it was very easy to go overboard in these departments.
On the other hand, I seem to have run out of ways to complain about Sameer's lyrics. And is it original music by Pritam this time? That could explain why it is worse than mediocre.
What I find most amazing about any work of art is the passion with which the artist creates it. In a movie it is more exciting because there are so many passionate people involved. But it is most unfortunate when almost everything looks like a half-hearted attempt. What a waste of a clever idea because nobody felt the need to pay attention to the details!
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ... The film dips in the second hour, but the climax does a volte face again... full review
So-So, by Rachel Fernandes, Bollywood Mantra : ...e. The script seems bizarre as the concept is extremely different... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...to pile on ridiculous twists and turns that exist solely because you wouldn’t have seen them coming... full review
Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Whatever little intensity is built up goes kaput when they open their mouths. Clearly, a case of bad casting.... full review
Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...I was so stunned by the banality of the plot that I was convinced this couldn't be a rip-off...But to my surprise...it's also not an original script... full review
Thumbs down, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ... There's a mood of anything-goes in the first-half that doesn't quite get into the required tempo.... full review
Thumbs down, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ...The story is dealt in an unusual way, something unique but feeble... full review
Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...the final twist is hammered on and on, with ridiculous condescension towards the audience... full review
Thumbs down, by Satyajit, SmasHits.com : ...Major loopholes in the film really make this a sub-standard and shoddy work of filmmaking.... full review
Thumbs down, by Naomi Datta, Times Now : ...it's a childish, confused effort.... full review
Thumbs down, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...unlike most of Abbas Mustan's earlier films, the audio track is almost pathetic here... full review
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Plot Summary
Karan (Bobby Deol) and Sophie (Urvashi Sharma) are deeply in love with each other and are all set to get married. Sophie meets Vicky (Akshaye Khanna) and has a change of heart. Who masks what emotion is for you to find out...
What Worked
- The curiosity created by the black and white camera shots. You know someone is recording what is happening to the characters in the movie, but you don't know who and what for.
- The horizontal and vertical transitions (wipes) between scenes that looked like the roll of a die.
What did not
- The opening sequence introducing Sophie comes across as a badly composed fashion show. Also, there is only one model.
- What was the whole idea behind making Sophie work at a Burger King. I hope it was not just to show that she wouldn't know how to hold a wine glass. She might as well have worked in a better paying job. Atleast that way the rent at the huge bungalow could have been justified.
- A parking lot is full of cars. In broad daylight, Sophie hears a sound. Why does she behave as if all hell has broken loose? Is nobody allowed to move in the lot when she is walking around?!
- Last but not the least, why was Sophie the chosen one? Oh, this is not Harry Potter, is it...sorry...
Nitty-Gritty
- Why is the door to Vicky's house open in the scene where Sophie comes from the wedding?
- Why do people wear sunglasses when they are indoors? Especially while they are watching TV?
- Why does Vicky own girly clothes? Especially jeans that fit a girl?
- How come none of Sophie's relatives attend the wedding?
- How come Sophie doesn't suspect anything when she sees so many strangers at the wedding?
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Comments (7)
Review - Naqaab...
It is a shame that another brilliant concept has been flushed down the drain because of half-baked attempts at narrating and acting. The product comes across as tacky because of the constant shuffle between comedy, unintentional comedy, a few extra-pre...
hey 3.5/5 for the story?????? I guess you'll change your mind when you read this http://movietonic.com/2007/07/13/naqaab-a-blatant-copy-of-dot-the-i/.
Also do check my review.
Opinion acknowledged, harry.
Yeah Amit, I haven't seen "Dot the I", but have heard that "Naqaab" is a frame by frame, dialogue by dialogue copy of "Dot the I".
I think I am sort-of okay with movies being "remade". I mean, if it is an original idea, nothing like it! It gets points for just being original, whether or not it is well made.
But if they are copying it, the least they can do is copy it well. Oh well...
It still doesn't take away from the fact that I liked the story. True, Shiraz Ahmed shouldn't be getting the 3.5/5, trusting what you and other people who have seen "Dot the I" have to say, but due credit ought to have been given to Matthew Parkhill.
ya meetu correct, so doesn't it mean 3.5 to Dot The I rather than 3.5 to Naqaab? How can points be given to the story writer of Naqaab when he has merely done a copying job. I hope you have seen the trailer of Dot The I which i hv put bon my site. Cannn't you see how blatantly Naqaab has been copied.
I have rented a DVD of Dot The I and will watch it soon. I would reccommend you to do the same.
Thanks Amit, saw the trailer and am certainly putting down 'Dot the i' on my to-watch list.
No, not at all!! Naqaab is not copied from "DOT AND I", in fact it is inspired. Abbas Mustan have done an excellent job...because it has a superb script and plot! It's a totally different movie with different, creative style and technique! Akshaye Khanna steals the show, he's outstanding, mindblowing, terrific, fantastic, first-rate, brilliant and superb! He shows maturity and professionalism...he has given a power-packed performance! Bobby Deol does a good job only in the second half and Urvashi Sharma is brilliant as a newcomer! It is an edge-of-the-seat thriller and Abbas and Mustan are the masters in this genre. The suspense is there from the beginning. It will shock the audience, it has lived up to my expectations.
Nice Review. Here is my review of Naqaab
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