Unlike the gushing Indians, American critics have given the cold shoulder to the Bollywood Bachcha-ns‘ latest posterior gas expulsion Paa.
Hell-O, is anyone surprised?
Folks, if you have yet to watch Paa it might be wise to hold on to your $$ until you have read excerpts of what the American media has to say about the movie.
Here’s a sample of the unflattering reviews Paa has received from the mainstream American media:
Los Angeles Times:
Although the makeup, involving a large prosthetic head, is pretty good, it wasn’t worth the effort, for the film is no more than a tedious, over-long Bollywood soap opera …. writer-director R. Balki stretches out “Paa,” which is “Pa” in Hindi, to an unconscionable 145 minutes that seems all the longer since it’s clear that father and son will eventually learn of their relationship.
Variety:
[T]his dramedy about a 12-year-old kid with accelerated aging (due to a rare genetic defect called progeria) is a long haul with little dramatic gas in its tank, despite a solid supporting cast. Initial curiosity by Indian auds is likely to produce healthy opening figures, but long-term biz looks problematic for this heavily promoted Dec. 4 release.
The hook here is not only the sight of Bachchan playing a prematurely aged kid — with an impressive prosthetics job by Hollywood’s Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till — but also the running joke of Hindi cinema’s megastar playing son to his real-life son, Abhishek. Unfortunately, that’s about it for this one-trick pony, whose writer-director, R. Balki … doesn’t create a sufficiently interesting surrounding package to justify 2½ hours of screen time.
New York Times:
A barely recognizable Amitabh – with a veiny, bulbous pate; rotting teeth; and slope-shouldered gait – seems to be enjoying himself, even if his Auro is more holy fool than 12-year-old. It’s stunt acting and frequently more creepy than moving, but it also gives “Paa’ its weird I’m-my-own-grandpa charge.
Film Journal International:
Abhishek plays father to Amitabh’s progeria-stricken 12-year-old, whose accelerated aging makes him look about 90. And while Bachchan’s portrayal of the pre-teen protagonist is a tour de force, it can’t buoy a tedious tale that might appeal to his longtime fans but will likely turn off stateside audiences….By this point, the movie, produced by the Bachchans’ company, AB Corp., seems to have gone from fictional family drama to Bollywood dynasty drama. Neither proves very satisfying.
There you have it, folks.
Paa is junk. Continue reading »
Recent Comments