I
fail to recollect the last time I saw a film which was so correctly made. Right
from the screenplay and editing to the performances, everything feels just
right. Nothing underplays and nothing goes overboard.
Alright
then, the story and the essence of the film are in sync with the new wave in
Bollywood which has started to focus more on women centric issues but the
treatment of Queen is what separates it from the others. Unlike the more recent
and over dramatized Highway, Queen is starkly low on the dramatic content and
plays out emotions in such a realistic manner that at times it seems like
watching parallel cinema, but hello!! This is where Queen scores big. It is
very much mainstream in its approach and yet is astoundingly grounded in the
reality of its script.
There
are also visible similarities in how the issue was tackled in English Vinglish
but then again the focus there was on the emotional outburst of a character
much elder. Here, the issues are much relatable, the anxiety, fear, pain and joy
can be felt by the audience of a much younger age. Taking nothing away from
English Vinglish, which was masterful story telling in itself, Queen manages to
create a strong identity for itself despite there being a product as original
and genuine as English Vinglish.
Within
the first few minutes of the film, during the London Thumakda song, the
director captures a moment so tender, so heartfelt and emotional that it does
away with the inclusion of a dialogue scene. The mother and daughter look at
each other and their eyes convey feelings which words cannot. From that moment
onwards, you somehow just know that Queen is going to be worth the time! The
film is about numerous such moments which will leave an imprint on the hearts
of the audiences flocking to see the film despite it being in its 3rd week
now.
The
screen play is lucid and the cinematography literally brings the story alive on
screen. Right from the Rajauri gardens in Delhi to the red light district in
Amsterdam, the camera work stays brilliant.
Vikas
Bahl directs a simplistic tale in a simplistic manner and lets the performances
cook up the desired emotions. It is he who is able to extract nuanced
performances from every person in the crew and the result is a delightful film.
The direction for a large part of time remains extremely engaging but becomes a
tad repetitive post the intermission thereby slacking the pace at which the
film moves but it does pick up again. And how!
The
casting of actors is another area where the casting team pulls off a great job.
Actors are perfectly cast and are able to portray relatable characters with
relative ease.
Make
way for Kangana folks!! She shines in the role of Rani. Often you can see her
improvise in a scene and bring out something extra than what is desired.
Her transformation from the simple, shy and timid girl to a confident and bold
woman is extremely believable. It is she who pulls off a Vidya Balan here by
carrying the entire film on her shoulders.
She
is my personal favourite for the best actress nominations for the award
functions later in 2014.
Rajkumar
Rao is good like always.
Hardly
has music made so much sense to a film. By sense I mean to say that rarely we
find songs that are extremely well composed and go along perfectly in sync with
what the screenplay demands. Amit Trivedi is the hero who again brings out an
album which basks in the glory of its variety and yet remains brutally
original. Be it Jugni, O Guzariya, Badra Bahar or Taake Jhaake, each song
carries Rani's journey forward. And Kangana enacts out the desired emotions for
each of this brilliant compositions.
Kinaare
which concludes the film is by far the best song to come out in 2014. The
lyrics by Anvita Dutt, Mohan Kanan's soothing and mesmeric vocals and Trivedi's
music create such an atmosphere that it does away with the need to have any
sort of verbal exchange. Just the song in the background and its done. Take out
this song from the film and the impact surely would have dipped by at least
20%.
Queen
is surely a must watch! It is a family entertainer with a message which gets
properly conveyed. You'll simply fall in love with Kangana after watching her
act in Queen.
A
genuine feel good film with its heart in the right place.
To
sum up- HUNGAMA HO GAYA!!
**4STARS**
