COCKTAIL

If you got nothing to do, get yourself a cocktail. And by Cocktail, I’m referring to the drink, not the film!

Caught between friendship and love are three distinct characters- wild and carefree Veronica (Deepika Padukone), casanova Gautam(Saif Ali Khan) and the typical Indian girl Meera(Diana Penty). Who ends up with whom?

The film has neither sincerity nor an entertaining value. It rests way too much on Veronica’s sexy and wild avatar.  Deepika Padukone plays Veronica with the right oomph and power, but falls low on scenes that require her to actually act. Saif Ali Khan does what he is good at onscreen- flirting at first, remaining confused next and falling in love finally- but at least choose a good film to do that in, man! Perhaps a younger actor could have done a better job. Diana Penty may have acted well, but the script and the film grab our attention more, which is unfortunate.

Director Homi Adajania depicts his guts in making a boring, melodramatic and obsolete film in today’s times when films at least attempt to prove that they are different. He shows no signs of realization of doing this, whatsoever. Being worthy of notice however are some of the special effects- Discotheque scenes, fast paced camera movements and flickering lights strive to stylize the film. The dialogues can constantly remind you of who one of the writers of the film is, but that does not help either. Don’t expect the climax to be any different from Love Aaj Kal, excepting the fact that there is hardly the charm or enduringness of it.

Dimple Kapadia and Boman Irani seem to be victims of a second hand script. Attempts at humor appear desperate- what else explains Saif in a women’s wear dancing to Shiela Ki Jawaani! Very few gags are worth a laugh. Music (Pritam) provides relief only at times. The song that truly possesses the spark is Tum Hi Ho Bandhu, which is why it is out of sync with the film!

You can watch it for a sizzling Deepika Padukone. Not much.

RATING- 1 star