NY: Good because it deals with an important issue?

From all the reviews on NEW YORK that I've read, be it from IF members or critics, I deduce that most people seem to gush about this film, not because it was great, but because it dealt with an important issue.

The film does not automatically become entitled to a 5 star rating just because it deals with an important topic. Films have to stand up on their own, for the quality of the film-making, irrespective of whether they deal with religion, politics, family problems, or just a cat-and-mouse chase over a piece of cheese.

While NY's premise is sound (barring the numerous avoidable cliches and plot quirks) and the story are the plot are good, it is in the execution that the film falls apart completely. The direction is the biggest culprit, for the film does no justice to the writer's vision at all. What happened after 9/11 cannot be explained away in some stupid dialogues by Roshan at the end of the movie. In fact, even during the course of the movie, other than the horrifying visual images of the torture of the prisoners, the movie was not able to dissect or delve into what really happened and why.

Ok, I applaud the makers of the film to ATTEMPT at breaking out of the formulaic, masaala movies, and it was a semi-decent attempt, but also has a political blind spot that makes it troubling and not only a bit foolish. It seems like the film suffers from an overload of political views (American's seen as this generations Hitlers, and then Muslims standing up against terrorism to make a better life for all Muslims, and the America being the greatest country in the world, to name a few). The film's themes seem muddled...

But the good part was Johnny Abs! Whoa, who could have thought the he could ACTUALLY act? 😲 He captured the wrath and anguish of being tortured, harassed and molested so well. It was entirely convincing, and heartbreaking. Many have complained that John is expressionless (I did too), but the lack of expressions, particularly in the post-detention scenes, worked in his favor-- a hollow and empty man, with all emotion stripped of him.

Katrina 'wood face' Kaif, was, well as usual, just about as exciting as a wooden plank. I wanted to gouge my eyes out every time she appeared on screen. PLEASE take acting classes. Her scenes were actually more torturous to watch than the detention scenes. 🤢

I would love to comment on Neil's acting, but unfortunately, I could not see him. He was transparent... kinda like Mr. India. Get a tan, dude.

Anyway, sorry to ramble off here. I wasn't trying to offer a review, but just asking, if my fellow ramblers only liked this movie because it tackled an important issue, or did they really think it was good? I guess it doesn't have to be NY in general, but any film that deals with an important issue. I just picked NY because I just watched it!

The movie was decent enough but only because Bollywood throws complete and utter trash at us 90% of the time. Other than that, there's no redeeming quality. I had a major problem with the screenplay, I felt like they were all patched up together in a hurry, there was no logical transition and the songs completely ruined the experience.

Shadow kisses and Psychobalehead, I absolutely concur with your points, in particular, with the lack of coherent screenplay. That was my thought exactly.... I didn't feel any sympathy for the characters, save for John's detention scenes. The film didn't really do too much for me...it did not make me reflect on anything that has happened in the last 8 years since 9/11.

Like I said, NY seems to have a confused political ideology. In the first half, you are exposed to the horrors of the Patriot act, detention camps and torture to which many Muslims are subjected to, and how this lead to huge alienation and radical sentiments amongst the Muslim population.

In the second half, these policies are justified by blaming Muslims themselves for alienating themselves from America. By the end of the film, because the Muslims have rectified their ways, America loves Muslims again....so much so that the child of an actual terrorist is the most popular kid in his school. There is even a message in the end on how Obama has closed down the detention centres ...........now we can all live happily ever after.

As for Irfan Khan, I didn't feel him either. John was probably the best thing about the entire film. And while we are on this, what's with Indian filmmakers picking up the worst possible foreign actors for Indian films? Do they think that "white actor" = "good actor by default" for some reason? Every time Roshan's boss opened his mouth, or actually just showed his face, I wanted to cringe and hide under the seat.

Also, I don't want to limit this discussion to New York only, despite what the title suggests. It is my observation on the desi public, that because a film tackles an important issue, it is automatically hailed as a great film.

Originally posted by: roxthefox

Also, I don't want to limit this discussion to New York only, despite what the title suggests. It is my observation on the desi public, that because a film tackles an important issue, it is automatically hailed as a great film.

Rox, its time that you direct your own film now. PLEASE CAST TC AND SK TOGETHER!☺️

Black was another rip-off of a Hollywood film, and there was nothing pathbreaking about it. Sanjay Leela Bhansali...*sigh*... let's leave him for another topic. 😉

With regards to TZP, I thought it was a beautiful and moving film, and I found it to be both inspiring and introspective. Dyslexia actually occupies a very small piece of the movie and its message -- that each kid is unique and his/her creative imagination needs to be handled with care by parents, teachers and society.

However, as you pointed out, it wasn't without it's flaws. My main problem with Bollywood is that they have absolutely no clue about the meaning of the word 'subtle'. These films tend to become too preachy. I mean, in the case of NY anyway, you might as well have actors stand infront of the screen, and hold up banners that read 'TERRORISM IS BAD'

Originally posted by: RiyaK09

Rox, its time that you direct your own film now. PLEASE CAST TC AND SK TOGETHER!☺️

I wouldn't want SK to be overshadowed. 😉