DARLING
I missed the bhoot.
Actually, this review should be quick and crisp, like the movie itself. I had enjoyed RGV's 'Bhoot' tremendously, it brought out a sense of fear and the ghost concept back to life in Hindi cinema after decades. For the first time, I was entertained by fear. Bhoot had put to shame all the so-called B-grade horror films being made in India. And the good part is that Ramu continued that fear-based genre through movies like 'Kaun'. But alas, he now himself succumbs to B-grade cinema of fear with Darling. Darling is more comic than scary. It doesnt boast of any twists or edge-of-the-seat thrill.
Esha does a good job as the other woman (before dying), but as a ghost, she is passable. You really cant make out the difference whether she's alive or dead. If I were to show some scene of hers to you (without showing the previous part of the movie), you'd think this is just a character of another women trying to take revenge for what happened. There is no inkling of ghost in her acting, whereas Urmila Matondkar as the bhoot was simply brilliant and plus the movie 'Bhoot' boasted of a solid script with performers like Nana Patekar and Rekha. Darling has none of these.
BTW, Fardeen is excellent as the repentant husband. He does a good crying job. Isha Kopikar was fine as well, I was first surprised RGV cast her as the docile at-home wife, but she pulls it off with ease. A special mention is needed for the sub-inspector Malti (accompanying the crime branch inspector). She is scarier than Esha. RGV uses the element of unknown and keeps audience guessing for Malti's character because she has no dialog at all, but uses her expressions very nicely to terrify not just the protagonist Fardeen but audience also. Malti's plain bai look promotes this as well.
I am yearning for some good Hindi movie...I only see the likes of Heyy Baby, et al being churned out.......RGV is not living up to his mark as well. Maybe need to wait for the next product from Nagesh Kukunoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakeysh Mehra....hmmm, sadly cant expand the list!
-Sanjit, CA, 1.25am, Sept 16 2007.
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