TANU WEDS MANU - Movie Review
Director: Aanand Rai
Cast: R Madhavan, Kangna Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill, Ravi Kishan, Ejaaz Khan, Rajendra Gupta, K K Raina, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhaskar
Director: Aanand Rai
Cast: R Madhavan, Kangna Ranaut, Jimmy Shergill, Ravi Kishan, Ejaaz Khan, Rajendra Gupta, K K Raina, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhaskar
MY RATING - 7/10
My verdict - watch it for Madhavan and the cute story. Kangana has been overrated again as she literally can't act! Music is good and has been a hit in North India. But don't miss the World Cup for this movie ;)
Nikhat Kazmi's review for Times of India
Been there, done that? Yes, the first thing that strikes you about Tanu Weds Manu is a striking sense of familiarity. It wasn't long before you saw Shahid Kapoor playing a similar sacrificial lover to Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met. And like poor Kareena, who tries too sort out her confused emotions against the backdrop of the big fat Punjabi wedding, Tanu too must decide who is better husband material, first amidst the hustle bustle of her best friend's boisterous going-balle-balle baraat and then at her chaotic Kanpuria community haveli.
But the deja vu doesn't last long. For despite the predictable -- and paper thin -- storyline, the film manages to hook you with its sheer atmospherics. The director creates an extremely busy and colourful canvas brimming with characters who are anything but cardboard cut-outs. If Madhavan fleshes out a heart-tugging, oh-so-lonely and acutely desi NRI, winning you over with his shy smiles and well-mannered chutzpah, then Kangna Ranaut's wild cat rebel is endearing too. The Friends Inc also pitches in an inspired act with the groom's best buddies Deepak Dobriyal and Eijaz Khan adding fun and games to the raucous proceedings. On the bride's side, it is the spunky Payal (Swara Bhaskar) who infuses verve, even while emerging as Kangna's counsel and guide. As for Jimmy Sheirgill, must we reiterate: Give him a role, guys; he's good! In fact, the highpoint of Tanu weds Manu is not so much the confused romance between Madhavan and Kangana. Instead, it is the `bromance' (dosti-dushmani) between Madhavan and Jimmy that grabs eyeballs with its volcanic undercurrents, which alas, are too few and far between.
And then come the sundry cityscapes.... Tanu Weds Manu lives more through its psychedelic backdrop than its drama. The film maker along with his cinematographer (Chirantan Das) and music director (Krsna) captures mofussil India with all its bustling beauty. Kanpur, with its overriding chaos and its criss-cross alleys almost begins to breathe on screen, even as the great Indian family emerges as one helluva character in one more desi paean to the joint parivaar.
Fun while it lasts, Tanu Weds Manu throws up Bollywood's newest obsession -- small town girls and their gunas (values) -- once again. A meatier storyline and a less messed up climax would have worked wonders for the film.
But the deja vu doesn't last long. For despite the predictable -- and paper thin -- storyline, the film manages to hook you with its sheer atmospherics. The director creates an extremely busy and colourful canvas brimming with characters who are anything but cardboard cut-outs. If Madhavan fleshes out a heart-tugging, oh-so-lonely and acutely desi NRI, winning you over with his shy smiles and well-mannered chutzpah, then Kangna Ranaut's wild cat rebel is endearing too. The Friends Inc also pitches in an inspired act with the groom's best buddies Deepak Dobriyal and Eijaz Khan adding fun and games to the raucous proceedings. On the bride's side, it is the spunky Payal (Swara Bhaskar) who infuses verve, even while emerging as Kangna's counsel and guide. As for Jimmy Sheirgill, must we reiterate: Give him a role, guys; he's good! In fact, the highpoint of Tanu weds Manu is not so much the confused romance between Madhavan and Kangana. Instead, it is the `bromance' (dosti-dushmani) between Madhavan and Jimmy that grabs eyeballs with its volcanic undercurrents, which alas, are too few and far between.
And then come the sundry cityscapes.... Tanu Weds Manu lives more through its psychedelic backdrop than its drama. The film maker along with his cinematographer (Chirantan Das) and music director (Krsna) captures mofussil India with all its bustling beauty. Kanpur, with its overriding chaos and its criss-cross alleys almost begins to breathe on screen, even as the great Indian family emerges as one helluva character in one more desi paean to the joint parivaar.
Fun while it lasts, Tanu Weds Manu throws up Bollywood's newest obsession -- small town girls and their gunas (values) -- once again. A meatier storyline and a less messed up climax would have worked wonders for the film.
Sarita Tanwar's Review on mid-day.com
Sometimes, simplicity tugs at your heartstrings more effectively than high-pitched emotions. That's what director Aanand Rai achieves in his new film Tanu Weds Manu, which stands out for its inventive story-telling and terrific performances. It begins with Manu (Madhavan) a doctor settled in London coming bride-hunting to India to fulfill his parents' wishes. That's how he meets Kanpur-based small-town girl Tanu (Kangna) and takes an instant liking to her. But she is in love with someone else and wants Manu to call the marriage off. The heart-broken doctor is yet to recuperate from the wound when he meets his dream girl again at his best friend Jassi's (Eijaz Khan) wedding. Tanu and Manu begin to get to know each other better. But her heart still beats for the man she loves. In typical filmi style, Manu decides to get them together. However, fate has other plans and that leads to the eventual climax and a happy ending.
Where love stories are concerned, it's quite obvious that the focus has now shifted from NRI-Land to the heartland of India. And it's a welcome change. The first thing that strikes you about TWM is its incredible backdrop -- sweeping shots of Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Punjab and Vaishnodevi. Aanand Rai does a brilliant job capturing the essence of every city, making the setting just perfect for a love story of this genre. The narrative is simple and pleasing. Manu's pathos is adequately explained and justified. And Tanu's vortex of emotions is understandable and something you can identify with. The scenes between the lead couple are funny, poignant and have their own special moments. The songs are well placed and they don't seem jarring at any point. The Kajra Mohabbatwala sequence is a full-on winner. The film's highlight is the supporting cast -- Deepak Dobriyal, Eijaz Khan and Swara Bhaskar are brilliant. Watch out for Rajendra Gupta's volatile outburst that has been beeped for obvious reasons. Jimmy Shergill is striking in a new avatar -- he literally shoulders the entire climax. Kangna is very effective and free of any inhibitions. She makes the character of Tanu likable even with all its complexities. Madhavan is first-rate and finally gets a film that showcases his true potential.
Here's a film that had everything for it to go the Jab We Met and Band Baaja Baaraat way. If only Aanand Rai had added some more novelties to the script. A bit of trimming in the first half and a few more surprises in the second would've taken this film to a different level. The climax also does go a bit over-the-top and it's salvaged only thanks to the punch-packed dialogues.
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