Saturday, June 21, 2008

Race (2008)

brothers hate and love
sex and murder flow as one
stay alive to "win"
*sigh*
As many things as Race had going for it--gorgeous actors, great music, good storyline--I'm secretly hoping not to see many more Bollywood films like this one. One of the things I adore about most Bollywood is its carefully guarded sense of naivete.

Though I was quite amused by the catchy first song of the movie, Rock the Dancefloor--which had a Latin-flavored track over cowboy ranch/redneck visuals, some break dance moves, a few stray black folks who weren't looting, attacking, or gang afilliated, (one was permitted screen time for a booty dance!)--by the last song of the film, I had seriously had an upskirt overdose. Seriously.

I only rented the film since both of the guys at the different markets I go to said it was a good film. Which it is...in general terms. But then, what guy doesn't want to see the some of Bips' boobs? I, on the other hand feel slightly violated. I mean, just when you thought it was over Saif's having another flashback. I mean, I know it was good and all...

Anyways, the car and stunt sequences were pretty solid though. I like cars quite a bit, so that almost made up for my suffering. Also, I had never thought much of Saif (lawd, especially after Hameshaa) but I could sense the appeal a bit more here.

At any rate, my biggest beef is needless violence. Fairly early in the film when the cheating jockey is blown up in his car Saif and Akshay drive off with these ill smirks on their faces. All throughout, there's just too much casual nihilism for my liking. Films like this make me physically tired after watching them.

Let's just hope my next film choice will be better...more like Om Shanti Om, which I still haven't reviewed yet!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

don't know what i should say.Race is actually a good movie!Well,if u watch Tashan,i know,u will agree with me.It was horrible.I don't think Saif was hot in Race.His unshaven look was so not cool.He was far better in Pareenita.I mean,he was so "Royal" in that movie.
Hrithik is now learning American english for Kites.Wish him good luck!
Ahir

J_Peabody said...

Hey girl, it's Joi. I haven't seen Race yet, although I was wondering if it was any good. I'm starting to really like Saif though. His pre-pubescent voice can be a little off-putting, but I think he's cute and funny. I just watched Hum Tum with him and Rani, again, I love Saif. He was great in Salaam Namaste.

Tell me how Om Shanti Om is! I saw Sarkar Raj and I thought the performances were brilliant!

J_Peabody said...

Oh, also the chorus of "Rock the Dancefloor" kinda reminded me of the Clash's old-school "Rock the Casbah." Hmmm...Bollywood plagiarism at it again!

Beth Loves Bollywood said...

Race was awful (and I love both Akshaye and Siaf), though at least stylish in its own way. I love how there's a Confederate flag in the "wild west" set, don't you? Um....

Anonymous said...

I don't remember seeing the confederate flag but I probably did...which explains why I kept thinking this film was set in Texas until I saw a sign that said, "SOUTH AFRICA." I'm like, WTH? You'd think there'd be more Africans in the background...

Karen said...

Good point. I also adore Bollywood's "carefully guarded sense of naivete." But I'm not completely opposed to new artistic ventures in the genre just as long as they don't stop making the classic ones.

Your blog is a really great find! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Did you know that the song "Pehli Nazar Mein" from Race is a actually a remake of "Sarang Hae Yo", from the OST of one of my fave k-dramas, Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang? I just learned this today and was tripping over the Bollywood/K-drama connection.

Karen said...

A Bollywood/K-drama connection. That's cool.

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