James

Article Updated 19 September, 2005 01:35:02 PM IST

James

One more disappointing film from the Ram Gopal Varma's stables. There is nothing wrong with the look of the film or the treatment, it's just that it's time the maker moved away from this genre of raw, hard hitting films. He seems to have exhausted himself. Burnt out!, is what we mean.

This time round it's a love story against the backdrop of violence. James (debutant Mohit Ahlawat) leaves his hometown Goa for Mumbai. He stays with his close friend. Looking at his physique, his friend immediately gets him a bouncer's job in the night club that he works in. James is completely at home in the place.

Cut to Nisha (Nisha Kothari). She writhes and pouts in a way only Ramu's heroines can. Then we realize that she is doing this for a music video. She's a model and has a loud admirer, Radhe. Don't know from where Ramu has handpicked his bunch of character actors for the film. Except for a couple of them, they all look new. Anyway, lover boy tells her how much he lusts for her in typical villain style. His brother happens to be a dreaded criminal of the area. Wonder which place this is where the police and criminals are so openly hand-in-glove! Lover boy even follows her to the local disc where superman James is the bouncer.

James is a superman in the true sense. He can beat up an entire gang that's well-equipped with knives and guns. He can just about beat anyone to death. Lover boy gets physical with Nisha and superman comes to her rescue. What follow is, stunts, action, and deafening music. But the beauty of it all is despite all the mayhem happening on screen, it's not difficult to have a quick nap. Yes, the film is so boring! Most of the scenes move at snail's pace. You squirm and move around in your seat till you heave a sigh of relief when it's finally over.

Mohit Ahlawat has good screen presence, great body and pleasant looks. But we still don't know if he can act. He has a deadpan expression throughout. All that is expected of him is to look big and strong; the sort who could make a woman go weak in her knees especially when he packs a punch straight into his enemy's face or abdomen.

He does smile a bit on a couple of occasions and he looks rather cute then. He speaks with his eyes (a good trait in an actor) but it's too early in his career to rely on his eyes. He had better roll up his sleeves and get down to the nitty gritties of acting.

Wonder why Ram Gopal Varma wants all his actors to behave like their tongues have been lost somewhere. Of course, this is called 'underplaying' but hopefully someday it might just strike him that every actor cannot 'underplay' and be subtle.

Nisha Kothari is cute but unfortunately is reduced to an Antara Mali and Urmila Matondkar clone. Hope she has the sense to move out of the Ramu camp and work with filmmakers who'd exploit her histrionic talents besides her sensuality.

Rajpal Yadav is terrific in a very brief role. Wish he had more scenes. He is not just relief, he's a painkiller! He's worth the price of your ticket and it would be no exaggeration to label him as the 'surprise package' in the film. Background and cinematography are good. The fight scenes are stylishly executed. But the film lacks emotions.

Those going to the theatre to ogle at Nisha's sculpted body in clingy clothes, be pre-warned! You will be in for major disappointment. There's very little of it. There's more of Mohit's body show! One doesn't need to spell it out in as many words but the fate of this film at the box office looks dicey. No star power or story power!

** (Two stars)
*poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent

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