MovieChat Forums > Bollywood Hero (2009) Discussion > Just OK - Best for Bollywood Neophytes

Just OK - Best for Bollywood Neophytes

posted 15 years ago by abbott32
7 replies | jump to latest

My first reaction after finishing the entire mini-series was to watch a real Bollywood film but, since it was 12:45 AM, was unable to do that. I also did not see any reference/credit to the 2001 film Bollywood Calling which this mini-series copied in several respects - even the so-so performance by Chris mirrored the performance delivered by Pat Cusick (who I have never seen in anything else).

I gave the series a "7" for somewhat worthy effort and would not have given it that high a rating had it not been for the grandmother - love those grandmother roles - they get me every time.

There were more things that I didn't like than I liked. Chris Kattan was painfully hard to watch, especially in his English language songs. The highlights of the film were the presentation of the Hindi songs but the definite low lights were the English language songs which paled in comparison. I also did not like the frequent use of the F-word in the mini-series. I liked the Sopranos which used raunchy language as a matter of course but, to use that language in a film about Bollywood, seemed significantly out of place, especially since it is refreshingly absent from mainstream Bollywood films. The sex scene with the older actor was completely unnecessary even if it was very limited. The fish out of water character of Chris also got a little old since you would think that any normal person going to India would try a little to learn more about the culture. The film also had a certain predictability about it - no real surprises.

What I like best was the fact that the series will cause many people to explore the real Bollywood - especially with IFC's Bollywood promotion and Sunday viewings of quality A rated films. I also liked the grandmother character, the photography, and the mini-intro to India and the culture. The only drawback to the road trip sequence was Chris taking the hat from someone who could probably barely afford a hat and then the rich girl not making him take it back -- uh, oh, going back to negatives. I have mixed feelings about the use of the kiss on the dance floor and the Richard Gere comparison.

[–] scarletminded 15 years ago

I didn't care about the swearing, it just wasn't that entertaining overall.

I was hoping for something that showed the caste system a bit more like a mirror of the movie they were making, something deeper...or even something funnier...it sort of missed on both tries.

Still, I gave it a 6. It was an ambitious try for all involved.

[–] keisher426 15 years ago

I agree with you, it's difficult for me to watch Chris in this. I didn't really mind him before, and I understand he's supposed to be a bit awkward, but honestly if his isn't a "leading man" in the US why should India be subjected to him?
But I do hope this sparks interest in more people wanting to see actual films from India.

Buster:I don’t want no part of your tight-ass country-club, you freak bitch!

[–] noahtenzin 14 years ago

Interesting thoughts, for sure... thanks!

http://shareddarkness.com/2010/04/20/bollywood-hero-dvd.aspx

^ Sounds good, I agree!

[–] JrnlofEddieDeezenStudies 14 years ago

It seems to me that maybe some folks are missing/misunderstanding some of the comedy elements here.

http://www.rateyourmusic.com/~JrnlofEddieDeezenStudies

[–] aniketagg87 13 years ago

Bollywood "neophytes" many like it yes but I have serious doubts that why anyone would like this (though I like this very much - I have watched it as many times it has come up on HBO India in the past few months!) knowing the real tastes of Bollywood viewers. It'd seem to be liked more by people who are enamoured by the idea of Bollywood rather than actually knowing what Bollywood actually is. Going back to my appreciation of the film, I did so not because of its Bollywood element but because of its Hollywood touches and the cultural references (either Indian or Hollywood: Keanu Reeves/Richard Gere thing)

[–] farrahrani 11 years ago

I think people go into this looking for some deep political meaning or some kind of social statement, and that's not what this is about.

This also is NOT a 'Bollywood movie' but an AMERICAN movie ABOUT Bollywood itself, the making of such a movie, the process, NOT an actual Bollywood movie, despite the music throughout. People tend to get confused about this.

As far as so many 'duck out of water' films, there are certain things you cannot learn but through experience. Language barriers, social customs, there are just some things you don't 'get' until you live in a country, despite the slow merging of both Western and Eastern cultures through travel, shared new media, and the new technology of internet, blogging, etc., being slowly spread worldwide. Some things that are taken for granted in both cultures, so ingrained that it might never occur to mention it as simply being common courtesy and common sense, or are deemed too private to mention.

Kattan's experience with public outcry, paired with his obliviousness to Gere's situation was meant to emphasize his own self centered point of view, and ignorance of major world events due to his own focus on his own wants and life.

Overall I think it addressed a lot of common problems a self involved tourist or performer might experience if they lived a closeted life, or were simply socially inept as Kattan proves to be, and it works for me.

And yes, I agree that the film would be better suited for Bollywood fans who are more likely through their media and news sites looking for filmi anecdotes, would be more likely to laugh at the faux pas, having more knowledge of the industry.

[–] kurt7825 9 years ago

you probably could have summed that up in under 20 words