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The
trend of narrating multiple stories in Hindi films
continues. SALAAM-E-ISHQ, HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD., JUST
MARRIED: all 2007 films, tackled multiple stories in those
2.30/3.30 hours.
METRO
charters a new path because the multiple stories run
concurrently. Also, the characters are, in some way, linked
with each other.
With
METRO, director Anurag Basu proves for the third time [after
MURDER and GANGSTER] that he's an incredible storyteller.
The complexities in relationships, the shortcuts one adopts
in life to attain the goals and the corrosion of ethics and
values have been depicted most convincingly.
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Yet,
METRO is no landmark film. It doesn't sweep you off your
feet…
Director
Anurag Basu's handling of a few dramatic and emotional
moments is exemplary. Dharmendra's introduction at the
railway station, the tense moments between Kay Kay and
Shilpa, the entire track featuring Irrfan and Konkona
including the sequence on the rocks [after they've shopped
for Irrfan's wedding] and the sequence when Shiney and
Shilpa are about to get physical are portions that register
a strong impact.
Also,
the handling of the multiple stories concurrently is
praiseworthy, for not once does confusion prevail since so
much is happening to so many characters.
On
the flip side, the culmination of a few stories looks
hurried and half-baked. The Dharmendra - Nafisa Ali story
deserved a better conclusion. The one depicted in the film
is so filmy! Similarly, Kangana suddenly realizing that she
needs to be with Sharman in the end [she leaves Kay Kay
stranded] looks unbelievable.
Another
area where the film suffers is that each and every song has
the 'Metro Band' coming up from nowhere and humming the
lines.
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METRO is embellished with superior performances, with Shilpa,
Kay Kay, Irrfan and Konkona vying for top honors. Shilpa
delivers her finest performance thus far, much better than
her work in PHIR MILENGE. In fact, this performance needs to
be remembered when the 'Bests of 2007' are compiled during
the year-end. Kay Kay is exceptional. You hate him, detest
his very sight, all thanks to a terrific portrayal.
Irrfan
is the life of the show. You're bound to run out of
adjectives to describe this performance. He's sure to appeal
to every strata -- elite, intellectuals, classes, masses,
kids… Konkona compliments Irrfan beautifully all through.
A brilliant performance yet again. Dharmendra is simply
superb. He makes you moist-eyed at several places. Sharman
Joshi underplays his character beautifully.
Kangana
is not in form this time. Shiney Ahuja is passable. He
deserved a few more meaty scenes. Nafisa Ali is grace
personified. Gautam Kapoor is adequate. Manoj Pahwa is okay.
On
the whole, METRO is worth watching for
brilliant performances by the star cast.
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