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Masand's Verdict: Rock On rocks | Wanted is good fun
Published on Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 00:54, Updated on Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 13:30 in Entertainment section
Tags: Masand's Verdict, Rock On , Cast
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Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny, Koel Purie, Shahana Goswami
Director: Abhishek Kapoor
With Rock On, director Abhishek Kapoor promises a true-blue band film, but ultimately delivers a masala Hindi film that just happens to be about a band. Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny star as once-aspiring musicians who chucked up their dream of taking their band professional. But a chance reunion ten years later inspires them to consider returning for one last gig.
The film's basic plot stays faithful to the blueprint of your standard coming-of-age film, but the screenplay of Rock On is bursting at its seams with so many clichés that fifteen minutes in you can predict pretty much everything that's going to happen then on.
Despite terrific cinematography and some very enjoyable music, Rock On has few surprises because the writers stick to the safety of tried-and-tested formula instead of pushing the envelope. As a result the film moves at a snail-like pace, dragging on instead of picking up steam when the story moves towards its climax.
Yet, Rock On is rescued by some marvelous moments that stay with you until the end. Like that hilarious scene in which the band must perform an old Nadeem-Shravan hit at a dandiya event to raise cash for new equipment. Or the one in which Purab's character blows a prospective 'moment' with Koel Purie when he doesn't know how to return a compliment.
There are many things to like about this film. Its little moments reveal so much. Like how the band's 'home-made' music and lyrics are instantly put into perspective in that telling scene in which Arjun knocks down a glass of tea and Farhan instantly makes up a song about it. How can anyone criticize the amateurish lyrics of their songs after they've shown you exactly what inspires them to come up with their lines?
Or then that scene in which Prachi, the rich-wife of an investment banker, is spoilt for choice when in the comfort of her living room a designer displays an array of outfits for her. It seems like such a mundane scene, unnecessary even, but it says so much about Prachi's character and instantly illustrates why she really does have nothing better to do than go through her husband's things, arrange surprise parties for him, organize reunions between his friends and serve them a hearty lunch after a jamming session.
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URBANEYE
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Get over urself guy. U may be a rock and roll fanatic but the movie has to cater to the
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Rock On is one of good film of this year. It gives good message of a friendship and a relationship.
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Hi Rajeev,
Don't make it a habit of criticising good films just because it failed to meet
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Rock On is a honest attempt from the director and the film truly rocks. The film enthralls the audience with
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Rajeev i totally agree with you on this..you've got the review bang on!!..i was expecting a lot from this movie
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