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Director: Kabir Khan
The new smart catch-phrase in post-Obama America is post-racial. Which, to those who’ve suffered slurs in the name of race, is pure bunkum. On the same lines, Prez O’s talk of closing down of Guantanamo Bay is a great gesture, but it will take years before the world forgets why that penitentiary was stuffed with suspected terrorists.
Kabir Khan’s ‘New York’ is about three friends impacted by the fallout of 9/11: it was not just the twin towers which were destroyed; a whole way of life died too. Americans began looking at people not of their nationality and religion with hatred and deep suspicion: if they are brown and worshipped Allah, they were terrorists.
Sam aka Samir (John), Omar (Mukesh), and Maya (Katrina) meet as students at New York State U. They hang out on campus, in pubs, but never seem to go to class: just shows that even New Gen directors are reluctant to show heroes getting an education.
In the best Bollywood tradition, this is a triangle: Omar loves Maya who loves Sam. They watch the planes crash into the towers in shock and horror—Omar goes his way, the other two get hitched.
Years later, the FBI in the shape of Roshan (Irrfan) surfaces in the threesome’s lives, with a shocking revelation: one of them is the kingpin of a sleeper terrorist organization, and the other has to turn into an FBI informer.
Khan’s subject feels a little old (there’s been a ton of 9/11 related stuff in the last eight years, including Naseerudin’s debut 2006 feature ‘Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota’ ), but it is still relevant.
That relevance carries the well-produced, well-photographed film some of its distance: in the way that Samir is detained and tortured for nine months without a shred of evidence (some of the most affecting scenes in the movies), in the way that Omar’s loyalties are never swayed even when he knows which path his friend is treading on, and in the way the Indian FBI operative upholds the values of American democracy even when he knows its loopholes and weakness—these give the film a certain heft.
But where it falters is in the way its screenplay turns fluffy—yes, we know it’s Yashraj, and yes, we know that the lovely Kat needs to sing songs along with her hunky co-stars, but it takes away from the necessary tautness a thriller like this requires.
There’s also a remarkable lack of tension even when people are being shot, and bombs are being placed, with the finger a hair-trigger away: Khan’s debut feature ‘Kabul Express’ was much tighter.
Of the four actors, Irrfan’s pasta-hating, I-love-America cop is most credible; Neil’s naïve immigrant is a nice turn too. John and Katrina are their usual selves even when transplanted a whole continent away.
I came away with a couple of well articulated if not madly original speeches on the value of the kind of freedom which can take a Muslim, or a person of colour, places in America. But at no point did I grip the edge of my seat.
(The writer can be reached at shubhra.gupta@expressindia.com)
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story was fine.Acting was not that good. Acording to the story John had lived inb the US. since he was a toddler. However, his American accent sounded put on. Over use of some American words still hurt my ears.
well the movie was very good the script music direction every thing was perfect i think i should give it 9/10music was brilliant . katrina was hot sexy cute as before
it was boring movie and whole plot ws predictable. john abraham's nude scene was completely a hype. the torcher scenes don't make us feel sorry for him it was like every thing going randomly.even acting and expressions were also not good.instead of watching this i should have watched a soap on t.v. atleast then i wouldn't have slept in between.
Its a very nice movie .director khabir khan shows good friendshpg between three peoples.he show FBI how to torture to foreign peoples around 1200 members without any evidence .katrina acting is very nice
hey guys!!i have watched this movie two times coz itssuch a gr8 movie!i loved kabir khans direction!he is very much successful in showing the frndship betweenthe three frnds ,love,thrill,suspence and much more!john has done a very good job.katrina looks stunnig even without the make up and i actually mean it!great acting done by her too!neil is brilliant too!gr8 movie must see!
A movie which was very pathetically directed, under plotted( such a underplay of the storyline), bad acting, (ofcourse Irfan Khan being the only actor). Loose built- Nothing seem to be perfectly done the relations.. even John
I liked the movie...its very gripping and engaging....but didnt understand why Katrina was killed...any views? Cant believe that it was an accident and she was killed by a missed aim etc.....can someone throw some light
Such movies hav brought the undercover realities and help the common unaware citizens to get face-to-face with the current scenario(how the world is taking their nation), their global image.I appreciate the efforts of the whole team.Also,the movie was unpredictable(couldn't trace beforehand the upcoming story/climax) which is very much common in other movies!!!!!!
Dear friends, I feel I'm the best critic of all movies. I felt this is excellent movie undoubtedly. Please always dont expect some comedy, music, ...etc. This movie I loved from I heart. Kabir khan work appreciable. John, I liked u very much (though I'm not a fan of u). Katrina u r so sweet..very nice. Neil u did good job. Pls watch without listening to bakra's thinking...pls watch my friends..
amazing movie john acting is too good
according to me it was another terrific movie from the YR banner,deserves a "must watch"..nice storyline,awsome cast and sweet music..according to me "YASH RAJ RULES THE BOLLIWOOD"...
very boring movies...... full waste of tym......
It was good b'coz in wednesday we saw how a common man wants to kill terrorists.. but in this movie they have informed that no body is terrorist by birth but the circunstances leads him to do this...
New York is clearly the extended story of Kuda Kay Liyay. As John Abraham rightly said it starts where Khuda kay liyay ends. The issue is old but relevant and still young muslim men face the New York issue. Waiting for good news of Guantanamo Bay shutting down.
great movie, somewhat in the same lines of the pak movie 'khuda ke kiye'...but I wish the ending was better..!Irfan Khan as usual rocks - he's a complete natural..
i throughly enjoyed the film.
aftr such a long tym derz a movie wid everything. u l love to see d movie....a hearttouching , romantic , sentimental and comic movie... a must watch for everyone..it also potrays wonderfully d people's condition after detention
nice movie
I think NY is an amzing movie with an actual story!! The main critics have gave it 4 stars and i trust them.The actors are superb and the story is excellent. Kabir Khan is a great director and NY rocks
If u guys get free tickets to watch, the movie is gr8, else film is not woth your money.
Don't go by reviews saying it as waste ........must watch if you are sensible...
so here comes an awesome movie which sensitises you abt d real etiology behind terrorism..and let u realize that common man is d one who suffers d most.esp.children.it plays with your emotions
New york according to me is an average movie and one of its major drawback is katerina's acting,how can she be the no.1 actress when she doesnt know how to speak hindi .And Neil's acting in movie is phenomenal really
new york rocks its worth a watch in rediff its 1 star in times of india its 4star and in NDTV also its 4stars the majority of reviews says its worth a wacth!SO eNjOy tHe MoViE !!!!!!!!!!
great film, full entertainment go for it now