Dear Zindagi Review and BO thread - DT Note P 60 - Page 31

Originally posted by: nishu786

Watched it today...

Many people left half an hour before climax.

it was too preachy & story was moving very slowly

'Dear Zindagi' movie review

Director Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi begins with a series of disclaimers and the one that stood out was that any opinions shared by the therapist shouldn't be perceived as medical opinion. But this film is something that a doctor might prescribe if they want you to have a good time. It is no bitter pill.

The tale of a twenty-something cinematographer, Kiara (Alia Bhatt), who's undergoing a crippling quarter-life-crisis, is joyously entertaining.

The heavy lifting is done by Bhatt who infuses life and zest into her troubled character. She's a constant work-in-progress, but she never lets her personal problems seem narcissistic. You feel affectionate towards her at all times. Perhaps, that's an indication of how strong a performer she is and the film's appeal.

Kiara hasn't had a real relationship with a man in a long time and her ties with her parents are strained. Plus, it's always encouraging to see a Bollywood heroine who's flawed yet fabulous. Her decision to see an unconventional therapist " enter the suave and the eternally sexy Shah Rukh Khan " changes the way she perceives the hostile world around her and its challenges.

The scene in which she breaks down on his chic couch is a sight to behold. Your heart will go out to her as she expresses her angst-ridden existence.

While Khan offers sturdy support in this film, it's Bhatt's film all the way. Their relationship seems effortless. You almost feel as if Khan is playing himself in this film. Just like his charming, ever-amiable public persona, his character here too is instantly endearing. How their relationship develops is also interesting to watch.

A grouse is that Bhatt's relatives come across as stock characters " that intrusive aunt or uncle who's always pestering the single women to marry quick could have been eliminated.

But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying this feel-good drama. If you are looking for a heartwarming, sensitive film about troubled twenty-somethings, then make a date with Dear Zindagi. You won't live to regret it.

Out now

Film: Dear Zindagi

Cast: Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan

Stars: 3.5 out of 5

Crash repair

Dear Zindagi

Rating:

November 25, 2016

Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Ali Zafar, Angad Bedi, Ira Dubey, Yashaswini Dayama

Director: Gauri Shinde

Early on in writer-director Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi, the protagonist, a 20-something-year-old named Kaira (Alia Bhatt), points to the jacket she's wearing - one she's had since Class 10 - to defend herself in an argument with her friends who insist she's incapable of having a long term relationship.

Kaira is what one might describe as emotionally stunted. She clearly has commitment issues, she can't decide what (or who) her heart wants, and she puts up a wall the moment any of the young men in her life seek genuine attachment. Plus there's a stack of unresolved issues with her parents.

It's a tricky part to pull off for any actor, let alone one as young as Alia. Kaira, after all, is not an easily likeable character - she's moody, makes bad decisions, and can be unmistakably selfish - but Alia's natural, unaffected style of performing and her go-for-broke approach keeps you invested in her. Alia's performance, in fact, may be the best thing about this indulgent film that has little by way of plot and way too much talking.

Shah Rukh Khan, although marvelously restrained and charming as hell, probably won't earn points for authenticity from real-life shrinks who'll likely scoff at his unconventional methods in the role of Jehangir Khan, a therapist Kaira seeks out in Goa. Over long walks on the beach and cycling sessions, Jehangir dispenses wisdom, the kind you could get for free on bumper stickers. At one point he tells Kaira: "Don't let your past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future." On another occasion he says, simply, "Har tooti cheez jodi jaa sakti hai."

Gauri's previous film, her directing debut English Vinglish, felt authentic and was powered by emotions that were real and relatable. The problem with Dear Zindagi is that so much of it - particularly the first half - feels superficial and even contrived. The banter between Kaira and her friends is hokey and often forced. Her parents and relatives are stock caricatures who go on about marriage and about getting a real job'. We know Kaira is a cinematographer on the rise and she has ambition, but her career, her talent, and the obstacles she faces professionally are never adequately explored.

Despite that, Alia soars. Her work here is the film's one true treasure. The piece de resistence is a breakdown scene during a therapy session with Jehangir that she nails with such precision, you're practically reduced to a puddle.

The other admirable thing about the film is its attempt to root out the stigma attached to mental health and the shame associated with therapy.

But these are small gifts in an overlong, disappointing film that misses its mark. I'm going with two out of five for Dear Zindagi. Honestly, it's a slog.

http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/crash-repair/

🤣 Masand trashed it too. A supposedly content based film

🤣 @bold

Originally posted by: saymaF29

Crash repair

Dear Zindagi

Rating:

November 25, 2016

Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Ali Zafar, Angad Bedi, Ira Dubey, Yashaswini Dayama

Director: Gauri Shinde

Early on in writer-director Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi, the protagonist, a 20-something-year-old named Kaira (Alia Bhatt), points to the jacket she's wearing - one she's had since Class 10 - to defend herself in an argument with her friends who insist she's incapable of having a long term relationship.

Kaira is what one might describe as emotionally stunted. She clearly has commitment issues, she can't decide what (or who) her heart wants, and she puts up a wall the moment any of the young men in her life seek genuine attachment. Plus there's a stack of unresolved issues with her parents.

It's a tricky part to pull off for any actor, let alone one as young as Alia. Kaira, after all, is not an easily likeable character - she's moody, makes bad decisions, and can be unmistakably selfish - but Alia's natural, unaffected style of performing and her go-for-broke approach keeps you invested in her. Alia's performance, in fact, may be the best thing about this indulgent film that has little by way of plot and way too much talking.

Shah Rukh Khan, although marvelously restrained and charming as hell, probably won't earn points for authenticity from real-life shrinks who'll likely scoff at his unconventional methods in the role of Jehangir Khan, a therapist Kaira seeks out in Goa. Over long walks on the beach and cycling sessions, Jehangir dispenses wisdom, the kind you could get for free on bumper stickers. At one point he tells Kaira: "Don't let your past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future." On another occasion he says, simply, "Har tooti cheez jodi jaa sakti hai."

Gauri's previous film, her directing debut English Vinglish, felt authentic and was powered by emotions that were real and relatable. The problem with Dear Zindagi is that so much of it - particularly the first half - feels superficial and even contrived. The banter between Kaira and her friends is hokey and often forced. Her parents and relatives are stock caricatures who go on about marriage and about getting a real job'. We know Kaira is a cinematographer on the rise and she has ambition, but her career, her talent, and the obstacles she faces professionally are never adequately explored.

Despite that, Alia soars. Her work here is the film's one true treasure. The piece de resistence is a breakdown scene during a therapy session with Jehangir that she nails with such precision, you're practically reduced to a puddle.

The other admirable thing about the film is its attempt to root out the stigma attached to mental health and the shame associated with therapy.

But these are small gifts in an overlong, disappointing film that misses its mark. I'm going with two out of five for Dear Zindagi. Honestly, it's a slog.

http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/crash-repair/

🤣 Masand trashed it too. A supposedly content based film

🤣 @bold