Once again, I have to buck the trend here and write a positive review for a movie most on MouthShut think is too ’’typical.’’ I disagree. At a time when too many BW movies are aping Hollywood in an overly slick, soulless way, Barsaat offers a good story that connects to the heart (well, my heart anyway).
The emotions of the second half are brilliant, until the so-so ending. The acting is surprisngly good considering the presence of both Bobby Deol and Bipasha Basu, who are not really known for any great performances as far as I am aware. They don’t give great performances here either, but their characters come through, and one can empathize with them.
Priyanka Chopra plays her character compellingly and well.
The movie is progressive and woman-oriented. I love a particular twist with a check.
At the same time, I could also relate to why Bobby’s character had done what he did. Is it really such an outdated concept to do something you aren’t ready for in order to please your parents?
The music is well-used, furthering the story. When ’’Aaja Aaja’’ comes on near the end of the first half, it offers such a contrast to the feel of the earlier songs that even I felt like I was going home, even though my home is half the world away from India.
The look of the movie is also fine.
And there’s some nice, sweet moments of humor, such as when Bipasha’s character is telling the story of the survey she gave Bobby’s character.
I was a bit uncomfortable with the stereotypical use of a Punjabi Sikh character for comedic purposes in the early parts of the first half, though.
Give this movie a try if Bewafaa, Waqt, and K3G are more satisfying to you than Black, Hum Tum, and Parineeta!