Movie Review: Gangster

Wow what a movie! Honestly, I didn't know what to expect, but went on the behest of my aunt, and, further because Jaggu and Tarana were talking about it on radio last week.

I had seen the trailers and been particularly intrigued by the fact that the lead actress was a petite girl with long unkempt frizzy hair, in a world of stylised waves and blowdried-straightness. Besides, staggering about in sweaters drinking straight from the bottle, sitting silently at the back of a truck, and screaming. From the trailers I assumed that she was a spy and Shiney Ahuja was a straightforward cop who catches her and that Imraan was the debonair gangster.

I'm not going to tell you if I was right or not, but one thing I knew, she would be a good actress. What expressive eyes and lips! What a soft soft face. And she's so thin and only 19 and has such maturity! Ok her accent is very contemporary but still. I DID NOT see it for Emraan, who is nowhere near my type of hot man. Of course, he stays true to his 'serial kisser' image. Shiney Ahuja... my GOD! He did a good job in Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi, but hai la! what strong stoic silent acting! What declarations of love flow from his eyes that rival even those of Shah Rukh Khan, maybe even beat him! I guess its all the more striking because of his role. Emraan is timepass only. Family influence, snazzy sunglasses, nonstop dumb chimp expression. Maybe marriage will make him a better actor.

It's a story of love and betrayal, of deceit and unintended trouble. Of revenge. Of truth, happiness, faith, sorrow, longing, loyalty, of death. Of the subjectivity of human values. Of men. Of women. Of stereotypes. Of loss.

What music. for once it was great to hear sings with a superb beat that dont have Himesh Reshammiya's voice attached to it. I cant decide which song to use as my calller tune!!! the angst-ridden rock Bheegi Bheegi, the intense Ya Ali, the soft Tu hi meri Shab hai, Shubha Mudgal's mournful voice at the end.

I cried a lot after the interval. I dont know about you, but I judge movies by how much emotion they can arouse in me. I find myself grating my teeth and clenching my jaw when something unjust happens, I find myself in tears over loss and grief, unless they are soooo bady done with cheesy-ass epic dialogues. Hence it gets many stars from me.

Conclusion: I havent given any spoilers, because I want you to watch it. The story is simple, but maybe I was too dumb to see the twist. Watch it for the acting. For the music. For the tears that will flow from your eyes if you are an empathic person.