U Me Aur Hum
wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)
U Me aur Hum: A sensitive, stimulating aur sappy theme with romantic, idealistic aur mushy characters who have thoughtful, filmy aur repetitive lines.
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U Me Aur Hum - Preview
NOT A REVIEW - Just my thoughts on the theme of the movie
The first promo I saw had a romantic quote followed by Ajay Devgan's voiceover enlightening us that he read it somewhere and Kajol's telling us that someone somewhere must have written it. Wow, nice, I thought.
That was over a month ago. They have a campaign of romantic lines. And I think that train of dialogue is overexposed.
I am really hoping against hope that there is something the marketing department has purposely kept from us and the movie will have this wonderful thriller twist. I know we don’t really have out an out completely romantic movies which is just about that one relationship and nothing else. But, somehow the overdose has gotten to me, and the movie hasn't even begun yet.
Producer, Director, Actor, Ajay Devgan says -
Why this particular story?......Its positivity. I've noticed that people these days have become more cynical and less optimistic than before.... In today's scientific world, everyone seems to be looking for tangible justifications for things they do. Even with regards to love, people spend hours theorizing about chemical reactions in the body, the impact of hormones and other such clinical things. My question is - where has all the romance gone?...
Oops...there goes my theory of a thriller twist in the tale. Jokes apart, a friend and I were listening to old Hindi songs the other day and we were talking about how the sweetness in romance is vanishing. There is romance but more people would get flowers instead of writing or even reading poetry. Also, people give up on relationships instead of making them work.
So, will U Me Aur Humbring the charm back in romance or will it convince more of us that romance is tacky dialogues and too sugary-sweet to handle?
- meeta, a part of the audience
It is touching. It is sweet. The romance is too good to be true. Yet at some level it works, because the chemistry works. But, where's the "hum" Mr.Devgan? I saw only the "U". Why is the Mrs. denied character development? Of course, the U can argue that the movie is from Ajay's point of view. But then why behave like you are in love with cheese and call it, U Me Aur Hum?
The story has a clear set-up, a conflict and a resolution. I like the pace at which the romance builds on the cruise ship as a tribute to Titanic. The conflict chosen however, is so specific that you wonder whether the resolution is applicable to all situations. Especially considering that Ajay Devgan, as a person, wants people to work on their relationships rather than let go. Yet, it does manage to make you think "how much would I be willing to give up in my relationship?"
Again, the problem at hand is specific enough to warrant research. A cursory glance around the web raises a couple questions. To an extent, the movie is not about this specific issues, but is about the overall idea that love also means enjoying the blindness. But the issue is so much at the crux of the story that it can't be ignored.
And why this obsession with a boy child? "To each his own" is all very good, but do we really need that kind of propaganda in such an influential medium? The issue of female infanticide is so rampant in India that this one doesn't even need research.
Coming back to the romance, there is a lot of pretentious dialogue going back and forth, which is alright till Ashwani Dhir gets to sentences with "repeated words". He takes this scheme of sentence formation along with a joke to the other release this week Krazzy 4 too. So, we are repeating across movies too! Not to mentions that some of the key scenes lacked punch. But, there is this particular monologue which is getting tedious just when Ajay changes his tone completely and takes off. It touches the right chord.
Yeah, the credit does go to Ajay Devgan for that. I have always felt that it's very difficult for a director to direct himself well. But when it comes to directing others, Ajay missed the mark. Almost everyone in the supporting cast is over-the-top. Of course, Kajol has done the best she can to get us involved with her situation despite the lack of depth writer, Ajay Devgan, etches out for her. Though she does get to her shrill self every once in a while. But I'm still miffed by the short hand she has been dealt.
More credit to Ajay, this time with regard to experimenting with the camera. And of course to Aseem Bajaj for executing the director's vision. Most of the film is shot with the subject of the camera in the background. And some or the other out-of-focus object in the foreground - be it a chair, a person or a showpiece lying on the table that the subject is sitting behind. I found this interesting because I always had some inkling as to the evironment the character in focus is in.
However, while Ajay and Kajol are stylish, elegant personalities, they are not the most beautiful looking people. Close-ups of their aging faces should be avoided, especially when they are playing characters 10 years younger than they are.
Munna Dhiman does a decent job with the lyrics. The witty words flow well with the music and thus you don't have to strain too hard to understand. The music however, is just about functional.
Despite all its flaws, U Me Aur Hum touches a tender spot, makes a tear roll, and sets you thinking about what love really means to you.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Naresh Kumar Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...the tale acquires wheels within wheels as the protagonist recounts the instances of his marital tragedy to his friends... full review
Thumbs up, by Aryan Khan, Bolly Spice : ...Kajol is the show-stealer; the film completely belongs to her!... full review
Thumbs up, by Daliya Daspurkayastha, Bollywood Mantra : ...Ajay had already established himself as a great actor but when it comes to direct films, he proved himself even better than an actor.... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Two scenes tear at your heart; one when Ajay leaves Kajol in the care of a hospital for good, and another when he goes to get her back, against his doctor’s advise... full review
Thumbs up, by Khalid Mohamed, Hindustan Times : ...On the downside, the initial half is inconsistent, expending far too much footage on the ocean liner kerfuffle.... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...U ME AUR HUM is more of a director's film, than anyone else's... full review
Thumbs up, by Sudhir Nair, Passion for Cinema : ...Ajay Devgan the director handles the emotional scenes like a veteran. It’s the light-hearted scenes that are a big let-down... full review
So-So, by Sapna Wong, All Bollywood : ...uses what I can only call brave close up full frame head shots of both him and Kajol continuously, allowing the audience to see every hair that makes up Kajol's uni-brow and every tobacco stained tooth from Devgan's crooked smile. (YIKES!)... full review
So-So, by Jaspreet Pandohar, BBC : ...A WORTHY BUT MUSHY WATCH... full review
So-So, by Sanjay Ram, Business of Cinema : ...One could use the best technology to make a product and package it extremely well, but ultimately if the product itself isn't that good, there isn't much one can do.... full review
So-So, by Deep, Deep's Home : ...Too many songs, specially in the 2nd half, unnecessary stuffing of unbearable songs was one of the worst points of the movie... full review
So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...In the name of comedy, the dialogue of U Me Aur Hum is filled with painful puns and redundant rhymes... full review
So-So, by Anupama Chopra, NDTV : ...But the director indulges the actor too much—at one point his character, gives a long and tedious monolgue on self-preservation... full review
So-So, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ...Ajay Devgan's proves to be a good director with his directorial debut... full review
So-So, by Neha Viswanathan, Within / Without : ...Refreshingly, there is also the lack of motherly sentiment... full review
Thumbs down, by Vijay, MovieWalah : ... Ajay Devgan and Kajol tried hard to recreate the magic of Pyar To Hona Hi Tha. Alas, they are too old now to play the lovey-dovey anymore... full review
Thumbs down, by Jahan Bakshi, Now Running.com : ...You know something? If you are already irritated by the fact that this is the fourth time I have repeated the above question in this review, imagine my plight. I have heard it being mouthed meaninglessly and relentlessly by Ajay Devgan... full review
Thumbs down, by Lidia Ostepeev, Planet Bollywood : ...Dramatic moments are shown in flashback which sustains interest but also leads to fragmentation... full review
Thumbs down, by Greatbong, Random Thoughts of a Demented Mind : ...“U Me Aur Hum” is a vision of hell where the Devil would be the manager of an Archies store, a vision brought to realization by Ajay Devgun’s directorial ineptness... full review
Thumbs down, SearchIndia.com : ...You’ll know what a mediocre movie U Me Aur Hum is only after you watch The Notebook... full review
Thumbs down, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...But there’s something off about this film. Apart from the million senseless dialogues, its sensibilities are not in place... full review
Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.
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
Ajay Mehra (Ajay Devgan) believes in love at first sight and he falls in love with Pia (Kajol). Pia is not sure, so Ajay woos her. Does it work? If it does, who's the villain in this love story?
What Worked
- The titles that set the theme.
- The way Kajol's backstory is picturised.
- The things Ajay does because he is in love. Very adorable.
- The way the anxiety of a lover's mind is expressed when he is not sure if his love has been accepted. The dreams and the nightmares.
- Kanchanjanga Godbole! Couldn't stop laughing. Reminded me of Dhurinder Bhatavdekar
- The use of voiceover to say the dialogues instead of the actors having to dub. It’s done earlier, sure, but liked the way it was used here.
- The way the white lily being thrown up was captured.
- The visuals of when Ajay is waiting to hear about the birth of his baby.
- The way Pia's mental state is captured using sound.
What did not
- It seems like Alzheimer's disease most likely results in loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. In such a situation, can the patient really manipulate people around them to think that they have forgotten stuff, when they actually haven't. That after about at least 20 years of it being diagnosed first?
- Alzheimer's disease is also known to be fatal. A person might live anywhere from 5 to 20 years. How come our protagonist shows no signs of deteriorations? Love is that strong, huh?
- What about issues like alzheimers and weight loss, side effects of medication, etc. Can the patient really understand philosophies of life?
- The third time Ajay Devgan goes "You know something" and then onwards.
- The slapsticky elements of comedy in the beginning of the movie. Eg., when Ajay falls after getting drunk or when he sees Kajol at his door.
- Kajol's eye make-up in the first half of the movie.
- The split screen used for showing the boy and Ajay. What was that all about?
- The scene in which close-ups of Ajay and Kajol are superimposed on the wake of the cruise ship
- The use of rain throughout the second half. Isn't that old-fashioned already?
- Why is Ajay shocked that Pia knows she is pregnant!!?
- Didn't Pia mention that she was carrying twins? Whatever happened to the other baby?
- Pia was back to normal weight within no time!
- The last scene when everybody on the cruise appears out of nowhere!
Nitty-Gritty
- 24 drinks!? Yeah, right!
- And how quickly we sober up from our hangover too?!
- Loved the green and yellow cotton shirt Ajay is wearing during the first salsa class.
- Kajol's white and silver shiny dress!
- What is that guy with a handycam doing looking at the movie cameraman's camera! Didn't seem to be following his instructions!
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Comments (13)
U Me Aur Hum...
The real-life couple bring romance to screen. Will the chemistry show on reel?...
U Me Aur Hum Review...
U Me aur Hum: A sensitive, stimulating aur sappy theme with romantic, idealistic aur mushy characters who have thoughtful, filmy aur repetitive lines....
Meeta, Without Giving The Movie Away.
“..Despite all its flaws, U Me Aur Hum touches a tender spot, makes a tear roll, and sets you thinking about what love really means to you...”
Oh! Great job!
Very good and useful post.
Thx, your blog in my RSS reader now
Thanks, Mikael!
[...] Without giving the movie away On the other hand, Kajol is brilliant. I didn’t quite realize that she was this fabulous. Even when she is lost, or screeching, or struggling to remember the smallest of things - you don’t cringe. But there are other parts of this film that are very cringe-worthy. [...] There are a few tense moments in the film. Kajol rules them all. Ajay Devgan is a mere prop in this film. [...]
I must say I'm not good to critize movies... I only go to watch a movie because I know it will entertain me. And U Me Aur Hum totally rocked my world! I'm a huge fan of Kajol and I just think she made an outstanding performance in this movie, and Ajay made a really good debut by directing it. What else do I have to say? This film was really heart-touching, I cried and cried at the second part. I read so many review articles about UMAH, they really disappointed me! Certainly, they didn't notice (or didn't WANT to notice) that this is one of the best movies of this year so far...Even though, I still think that the Devgans will come out with movies better than this...
My Final Line... I just loved it! And I recommend it to those who don't have hearts made of rock... It will certainly entertain u and get ur 5 stars vote!
Yes, the second part is really touching and Ajay Deogan did a very good job in bringing such a good movie. I would rate this is one of the good movie of this year. Look at the direction, even though movie feels like slowly moving it doesn't llose the grip and you just want to watch the moview until end. Some of the moments are heart touching and definitely thsi movie is worth watching with you life partner and I would think this would be the boost to all coule who think that the problems in their life are bigger than anything else and there is no way other than separation. I would strongly recommend this movie to everyone.
Tonight on INSIDE BOLLYWOOD: When Actors Direct! U ME AUR HUM is a textbook example of a first film directed by an actor - lots of big emotional scenes for the cast to play, a bit of an unfocused quality to the story, an excess of camera trickery so the movie doesn't look "static", casting the director's spouse/Significant Other/child as the lead or co-lead, and a tearjerking ending of one kind or another. Despite all that and an incessant use of flashbacks within flashbacks, Ajay Devgan's directing debut did very well by its lights, making its big emotional payoffs feel earned.
Admittedly that's much easier if you're Ajay Devgan and your wife is Kajol, and you've given her character.... But I suspect that's a spoiler. Let's just say they both do the romantic and dramatic much better than they do the early comedic bits (ironic given Devgan's participation in the GOLMAAL series!).
U ME AUR HUM wasn't a great movie by any means, but we American Bollywood fnas enjoyed it, and even shed a tear or two at the ending. It was light-years better than our last actor-directed movie starring Kajol - Satish Kaushik's 1999 HUM AAPKE DIL MEIN REHTE, which was so overripe we couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or amused, and which I unburdened myself of on WOGMA's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/wogma?fref=ts ).
@TimELiebe Ajay Devgn actually has impeccable comic timing, if directed well. I might stick out from the common conception here, but I especially enjoyed his act in Raju Chacha and though Lajja didn't have him in a comic role per se, his role added a flourish. Both films aren't great, but are good while they last. Both aren't the typical masala films, but they still are, if you know what I mean. And Raju Chacha has Kajol in the lead again.
Sadly, Meetu - RAJU CHACHA isn't available on Netflix in the US. :( If you think it's worth a try, maybe I'll see if it's for sale on Amazon....
@TimELiebe Don't know if the film is worth that much trouble. But if you want to see Ajay Devgn in his element, this has to be one. :D
It's a very romantic nd comedy.
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