Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Boys (2003)

[This review is SO overdue…]
Man, this fiasco is going on a special list with Ishq! It's the list for films that have elements that are really fun even though the movie as a whole is absolutely out of control. The difference is, my viewing companion and I both decided that to really enjoy Boys, you have to be under the influence of an illegal substance, but neither of us were willing to test our theory...

The fascinating thing is the film is rated 8.8 (out of 10) at imdb.com. Maybe I need to be 10 years younger to properly appreciate this one?

I suppose I should give the filmmakers some props for taking a film about teenage angst, turning it into a love story and meteoric rise to pop-stardom, while painting the film with a broad brush of adolescent male bonding and sexual frustration. *two. solid. hearty. handclaps.*

The story line: prettiest/most popular girl is the object of affection for all five pals, which allows numerous ridiculous moments of rivalry for approximately 30-60 minutes. As it so happens, pack of boys meets pack of popular girl’s friends, they all pair off--as nature has overridden logic and allowed warm fuzzies to flourish for even the less attractive males of the bunch—allowing them abandon rivalry.
Just as it seems all is well, our hero (Siddharth) feels he has been slighted by popular girl sending him into a well of despair. Seeking advice from the girl’s friend, he commits to publicly humiliate himself in order to win her hand. And humiliated he is--all the way to the local jail.

Naturally, pity sets in, she gives him a try, and as the Bollygods would have it, she falls for him. Fast forward to an elopement, getting disowned by parents, kicked out of college, desperate attempts at “work” and a rise to pop-stardom and you basically have the film. A lot going on and not so much substance. In fact, I think this film could enjoy a very successful remake in the States.

Final thoughts:

  • If you’re going to see this film, see it for this scene alone. It is one of the few moments in the film that work from start to finish. Very funny. Very fresh.
  • I will never be able to hear the song “Boom Boom” without seeing these hideous visuals in my head.
  • Depending on your life aspirations, Boys might release your inner rock—star.
  • I promise this little romp doesn’t look as scandalous in the film as it does in freeze frame. All's well that ends well, right?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was the only movie which Shankar(the director) messed up. his other movies like Indian, Mudalvan, Anniyan are good.

Anonymous said...

i thought this movie was really dumb when I first saw it...but then I saw it again...yes, it was just for siddhu...and I actually kinda liked it the 2nd time around. Even the boom boom song, which I hated at first, kinda grew on me. The film apparently bombed in Tamil Nadu, but was a big hit in AP and even somewhat in Kerala. That's what launched Siddharth's telegu career.

Anonymous said...

Its not a messed film,its a great film with great storyline.shankar sir first coming of age film with fresh cast, full of newcomers.great music by ar rahman sir. Its cult film among youngters with great following. Its got some controversies in tamil nadu but its a big blockbuster film in telugu, malayalam, abroad countries.but its a hit film in tamil nadu,but its not a great blockbuster film in collection wise compared to previous shankar film. And the film is way ahead of its time,but its still relavant film till now and so fresh.

Love
Yasher