102 Not Out | A Comedy Family Film Which Passes On A Strong Message | Movie Reviews

As we have mentioned recently, the days are going away, slowly but steadily, when we visit theatres to watch movies. Of course, watching a movie in a theatre is a unique and interesting experience and probably nothing can replace it. But, the way ticket prices are skyrocketing and pop-corns, sandwiches, and cold-drinks are getting strong enough to make a hole in our pockets, the chances that we are visiting theatres, getting smaller 🙂

On the other way, high-speed internet is being more and more available and affordable. It allows booming the online streaming websites. Not only NetFlix and Amazon Prime, but there are many other small-scale players are entering the arena like Airtel TV, AltBalaji and many others.

Here are some of the movies which we recently found on Amazon Prime and gave it a watch, and of course, shared our unbiased views and reviews for the same.

• Blackmail: A thriller with dark humor
• Missing: A psychological thriller
• Raazi : A thriller exploring selfless patriotism
• Vodka Diaries : A Thrilling Murder Mystery which shifts sub-genre around the interval.

Adding to the same, recently I got a chance to watch Hindi Film 102 Not Out. And, here are my unbiased views and reviews for the same.

Let us take a bird’s eye view of the movie plot.

Book Plot:

Babulal Vakharia is an aged (around 75 years) person who is living his retired life without much enthusiasm. And, at this age, most of the people are caught with some physical problems and emotional situations, that they consider that they are living the last phase of their lives. And thus, living for the sake of the same.

Dattatreya Vakharia, Babulal’s father (yes, he is alive!)is living his life in quite opposite way. He reached the age of 102 years! And, he has the enthusiasm of a child. He believes in enjoying each moment of the life, as it comes. He like Babu to live the life in the same way. But, Babu, after the demise of his wife Chandrika felt lonely as his only son Amol is settled in the US. Actually, Amol went to the US for further studies and then got a job and get married there, and has kids, but, he didn’t come back to India, once left. So Babu and his father are the only persons living in their big house.

Dhiru, is a salesman working in a medical store nearby. They used to meet frequently and Dattatreya developed a soft corner (or rather a trustability) towards Dhiru.

One day, Dattatreya Vakharia threatens Babu to kick him out of the house and get enroled in an orphanage if he doesn’t fulfill his demands! Babu has no choice but to accept the challenge and follow Dattatreya’s demands. Dhiru becomes the part of their lives, and his employer is consulted for the availability of Dhiru. Of course, Dattatreya offered the shop owner that he will pay half of Dhiru’s salary, as compensation.

What are the demands, and how the things move forward from this point, is the rest of the story. And rather than talking about it, I will suggest you watch the film, and you will enjoy it for sure.

The movie is an adaptation of a Gujarati play named 102 Not Out written by Saumya Joshi (who wrote the script of this movie as well. The movie has its traces in the Gujarati play, Aavjo Vhala Fari Malishu and Hindi film, Waqt: Race Against the time. The incident in that film also Amitabh Bachchan played the father, who uses his ways to teach some life lessons to his son. Telling more than that will reveal the movie climax as well, so let us stop here…

Have you watched Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films? They are made to watch for/with the entire family. They have comic situations and some issues are talked along with as well. Overall, they offer fantastic entertainment without a trace of vulgarity and abuse. Do you think we are not seeing such movies anymore? If yes, then this movie is for you. It will take you to a fun ride and put a genuine smile on your face many times while you are watching it. It is not a laughter riot, though.

The simple characters which are picked up from day-to-day life look real. A nice and simple story, without any unnecessary melodrama, is the positive point of the movie. There are no twists and turns which can shock you, and that works pretty well. The dialogs are humor and effective. The dialog writer deserves the credit for the same. The “Hope, you will understand” dialogs have the right punch it requires, and it creates the desired impact.

There is no scope of traditional Bollywood movie songs, and you don’t miss them too. Of course, there are some songs in the movie. Here is the one which I found the most effective.

The song which plays during the end titles is passable. For any emotional movie, the background plays as important role as it plays in thrillers. The background music in this movie is completely in sync. It never bores you, and at the same time, it never tries to take over the scenes, nor remains a mute spectator throughout. So, overall we can give distinction marks to the music departs.

When you have really good content, a nicely written script backed by effective dialogs, and a director, who knows his job well, in the driving seat, the movie cannot go in the wrong direction. But, then also, the actors are the performers who can elaborate the real impact of the story.

In many of his last films, we had seen Amitabh Bachchan playing himself for the most of the times. Of course, the directors are also equally responsible for the same. Though his character in this movie is a jolly and happy-go-lucky persona, his get-up doesn’t suit him. The hairs and beard look quite out of place when the skin is so smooth! He is one of the finest actors of Bollywood and there are no two thoughts on the same, and, he is able to leave his traces in a few scenes for sure. But, his get-up and performance could have been better for sure.

Rishi Kapoor, is adorable, charming and scene stealer. His persona in this movie is quite an opposite to his real one, especially, if you had seen some of his recent outbursts and controversies somehow he was involved in through his book, speeches, and social media expressions. This movie gives you a reason to understand him, and why he considers that he is not given his due respect and praise, for his mastery on the craft. His get-up is fantastically thought out and when he dons it, you don’t see Rishi Kapoor anywhere. It is the character in front of you. And, it is not just the makeup, his body language (see at his “hanging and stretched to back” shoulders and the way he walks, he climbs the stairs, and many more such sequences; and you will see how he dissolved himself in the character. Definitely one of the finest performance of his career so far.

Jimit Trivedi is a surprise package. Though he is a well-known name in Gujarati plays and even in Gujarati film industry also, but he is not that much known outside it. For the audience of Bollywood movies, he is almost unknown. So, there are no expectations from him. And, he delivers so brilliantly that you will fall for his performance. If given right exposure, he is definitely a talent to watch out for.

These days we see Gujarati people are explored in a specific way on TV and in films, it might have created a perspective about them in the people. This movie, rather than going that way, explores more realistic characters, and that is an appreciable work.

The supporting roles are played by some fine actors. There is no female lead or remarkable female character in the movie! In fact, Chandrika (Babu’s wife) makes her presence felt though mentions only. Same for Anmol’s wife (hardly a couple of references for her there). But, you don’t miss female characters. That is the completeness of the movie. And yet, the way Babu remembers his wife, it shows how much they both were in love with each other.

There are many scenes of the movie which will live with you forever. Be it the conversation between Dhiru and Babu at the airport, Babu’s taking a trip in Victoria, conversations between Babu and Dattatreya, Dhiru’s scenes,… well, the list is long and then we will have spoilers, so let us avoid it.

The editing is good and the use of sketches at various conjectures is really effective.

Of course, the multiplex audience may find the story moving at a low speed. There is no melodrama or larger than the life scenes, and it may not make a connection with today’s movie audience on first glance.

Summary:

Overall, a nice and clean emotional movie which flows like a poetry. It will remind you Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Rajshri Production films. The fantastic performances make it worth watching.

Quick Purchase Links:

• Buy DVD From Amazon India
• Available on Amazon US

Over To You:

Did you watch the movie? Or Are you planning to watch it? Which part of the movie do you like the best? What is the most effective scene of the movie according to you? Is there anything you want to share about this movie or this article? Are you going to purchase it when available on DVD? Do not hesitate, go ahead and leave your comments below. And yes, do not forget to share this article with your friends over various social networks via Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and others. And yes, you may like to subscribe to our RSS feeds and follow us on various Social networks to get the latest updates for the site to land right in your mail box.