Golmaal
When you come across a tagline that states 'Fun Unlimited',
expecting loads of laughter and entertainment is foremost on your mind. Comedy
is the flavor of the season and the feeling that GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED may be
one of those biggies trying to capitalize on the trend does cross your mind.
Sure, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED is a comedy, but in terms of content, it's not
remotely similar to the two comic capers that struck gold this year -- MALAMAAL
WEEKLY and PHIR HERA PHERI. Yes, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED pursues the three
golden mantras that NO ENTRY, MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, GARAM MASALA and PHIR HERA
PHERI followed religiously: i Leave your brains at home, ii Don't look for logic
and iii Turn a blind eye to the cinematic liberties.
In terms of plot, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED doesn't offer path-breaking stuff, but
sometimes there's more to a movie than story and this is one of those rare
occasions when all the other elements pull together and lift the production.
Frankly speaking, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED delivers what it promises: Enjoyable
moments, amusing jokes and non-stop entertainment.
Wait, there's another reason why GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED works?
Comedy isn't all in the material. Having funny lines and amusing gags is only
half the battle. The rest is in the delivery and that's where the actors Ajay,
Arshad, Tusshar, Sharman excel. Some of what's found in GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED
is laugh-worthy also because of the way in which the actors emote and react.
To sum up, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED may not be the funniest film ever, but it
qualifies as a qualitative, well-shot, thoroughly enjoyable entertainer.
The story revolves around Gopal Ajay Devgan, Lucky Tusshar Kapoor, Mahadev
Arshad Warsi and Laxmi Sharman Joshi -- four guys bound together by their
child-like notoriety, aimlessness and petty business of conning people for fun
and money.
Gopal is the wisest and the wickedest of them all and the motto of his life is
to eat, drink and make merry. Mahadev and Lucky are also of the opinion that
only idiots work and wise men use them in more ways than one to make their life
comfortable. As for Laxmi, he is sincere and God-fearing.
Due to their notorious acts, they are thrown out of college and have nowhere to
go. Soon, they discover a bungalow that is inhabited by an old, blind couple
Paresh Rawal, Sushmita Mukherjee, whose son, daughter-in-law and grandson are in
America.
Gopal and his friends force themselves in the bungalow and make Laxmi pretend
that he's Sameer the blind couple's grandson. But the story doesn't end there.
The four wayward guys fall in love with the same girl Rimi Sen, suddenly
discover a treasure chest and in the end, face the wrath of a gangster who lands
up at the bungalow to retrieve his diamonds, which are hidden in the treasure
chest.
Writer Neeraj Vora and director Rohit Shetty's fundas are clearly visible at the
outset. There's no effort to present a never-seen-before story. Instead, the duo
pack those 2.30 hours with gags, punches, witty one-liners and moments that make
you smile/laugh from Scene A to Z. Of course, a majority of comic portions work,
but there are a few blemishes that stand out.
The college professor Manoj Joshi works every time he appears on screen, but the
local thug/money lender Mukesh Tiwari doesn't. This character seems
unwanted/forced in the screenplay and has not much relevance with the main plot.
Similarly, the love story between the four guys and the lone heroine appeals,
but the villain Anupam Shyam isn't convincing enough. Of course, he is not the
usual seething-with-anger villain, but a comical character. Yet, Vora could've
made the character crazier than what he already is.
Nevertheless, there's no denying that a number of funny moments succeed in
bringing the house down. Manoj Joshi's lengthy outburst when he dismisses the
four guys from the college is hilarious. Another sequence that's remarkably
executed is that of Sharman poisoning Ajay's tea, hoping to eliminate him. The
barrage of slaps that both Sharman and Arshad receive in the process is simply
maddening. Also, Manoj Joshi arriving at Paresh Rawal's house and Ajay and
Arshad impersonating the old couple, with a take-off on BLACK, is another
highlight. It's simply howlarious!
Also, the flashback song -- when Paresh narrates his love story and the colors
change to B & W -- is a master stroke and will be loved by viewers. Ditto for
the 'rape' scene when the four good-for-nothing heroes 'save' Rimi from getting
'raped' and also the Valentine's Day portion Ajay presents rat poison, Sharman
gifts the home-made pickle and Arshad hands over toilet paper to Rimi are
enjoyable antics.
Directorially, Rohit Shetty has not only shot the film exceedingly well, but has
also concentrated on making each and every sequence thoroughly entertaining.
Despite a feeble plot, Shetty and writer Neeraj Vora have ensured that the
paying public gets what they seek in the film: Complete time pass entertainment.
In that sphere, yes, the film rocks. Even Vora's dialogues are superb.
Vishal-Shekhar's music is decent and gels well with the mood of the film. Stunts
Jai Singh, in minimal doses, are of standard. Cinematography Aseem Bajaj is
splendid. The film is full of vibrant colors.
The script contains enough hilarious moments to allow each member of the cast to
have a chance to shine. Ajay enacts the big bully part with gusto. The actor has
worked not only on his looks and physique, but also on portraying the character
differently. Arshad is superb, his timing is matchless. In fact, when it comes
to making you laugh, few actors can match Arshad's manic energy or consistency.
Tusshar is excellent as a mute character. The actor catches the viewer unaware
with a flawless performance. Undoubtedly, this is amongst his most superior
performances. Sharman Joshi is a pleasure to watch. To state that he's the most
lovable character in the film wouldn't be wrong. The natural flair with which
the terrific actor performs and stands out is worth lauding. Outstanding!
Paresh Rawal is in form yet again. He may not be dominating every single frame
in the enterprise, but he is supremely efficient whenever he appears on screen.
Ditto for Sushmita Mukherjee, who resurfaces on the big screen after a hiatus.
Here's a role that does complete justice to her enormous talent. Rimi enacts the
mandatory heroine part with ease.
Mukesh Tiwari doesn't really make a mark. Sanjay Mishra too is mediocre. Manoj
Joshi excels in the three/four scenes that he's in. Vrajesh Hirjee evokes
laughter in the 'snake fight' portion.
On the whole, GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED promises laughter and entertainment
unlimited. A thoroughly enjoyable fare, the film has all it takes to hit the
bull's eye. This clean comedy with no vulgarity won't just make the viewers
laugh with its jokes, but also make its distributors laugh all the way to the
bank.
|
